On reinstalling xp home on my compaq nx9005 laptop I was unable to enter the product code as the number keys were producing 2 numbers,with a bit of inserting and deleting I managed to enter and install sp1 and the supplied drivers,but still have the keyboard problem, I have installed sp2 & 3 done a diagnostic online with HP, downloaded all the updates and drivers I can find,checked all the settings,deleted and reinstigated the keyboard, but still have the problem with the number line and some other keys,any ideas would be most welcome.

This might be related if it is a software setting.

I suggest using the mouse and selecting: Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Accessibility Options. The default panel that comes up will in fact be for the keyboard options. There you can turn off whatever happened to have been turned on. While you're there for each of the three options, press Settings, and uncheck Use Shortcut. Now Windows will no longer misinterpret your random keystrokes.

Also have you blown out debri maybe in the keyboard with a Can of Compressed Air if Hardware related.

Since he had trouble with in when installing XP I would suspect a hardware problem. Servicing a laptop is tricky but I suggest doing what roky suggesting and trying to clean it out with compressed air. Also I would check the user's manual on how to clean it or if you feel up to it you can consult the service manual on how to remove the keyboard, to make sure its clean and connected properly. If you don't feel that you are up to it you might want to take it to a repair shop.

You might also try simple steps like drivers and or touch-pad settings.

Nothing at this point indicates a hardware problem and or any service necessity.

Thanks for the tips guys, no joy up to now,tried the suggestions,I am sure it is not keyboard as it was no problem up to reinstall,which I did three times initially,I feel the fault originates from the OS disc as the fault was there when I was only running on the disc before I got to install at the enter product code stage,also I dont seem to have task manager through ctrl,alt del so I presume that those keys are not responding either,look forward to any further suggestions.

Geoff A

Ok. I am going to suggest you try something radical here for a Windows user but for a Linux guy like me it is a piece of cake or easy as pie. I am suggesting this to eliminate your problem as a hardware keyboard problem. If everything works fine running a Linux Live CD with your keyboard, then Windows or bios is the culprit.

You can download a Linux Mint Live CD . Go to main edition and use the direct download Link and save iso image file (about 700 mb) to your Desktop. Then insert a blank CDR or CDRW disk into your cdrw drive and use Nero (if you have it already) or Image Burn (which is free to download and use and is Windows XP compatible) and burn the Linux iso image as a IMAGE(slow burn speed like 4x or 8x is for best results), not as data. Then you can reboot your computer. Make sure bios is set to boot from cdrom first like you did when you installed Windows. After you get up to the Mint Boot screen just hit Enter (there are other choices on the menu like install and memtest but the first item highlighted on menu is the default which is to run live off of cd drive). This will run Linux Mint as a Live CD (which means everything runs off the cdrom disk. Not off the hardrive). Mint will boot up.
You should be able to get online with Ethernet cable plugged in. You can test your keyboard while running Linux. If problem disappears you know the problem is not Hardware related. If problem persists. Then it is hardware related.

You can exit and shutdown Linux Mint after you do your test. Your Windows/hardrive install won't be touched. Take out the cd and boot back into Windows.

You can try this if you wish to. It is something I do on a regular basis trouble shooting hardware on local residents in my town when they ask me to fix their Windows Computers.
I run Linux Live trouble shooting tools all the time on Windows Computers. Running Live doesn't do any changes to Hardrive or to Windows. The only time you can affect Windows running a Linux Live CD is when you are using the Linux Live CD to recover files and data to a external drive, like pictures and movies and stuff like that in your Documents folder. Like I said. I do this all the time.

Also,I don't know if it is possible if your Windows XP disc is scratched or dirty. You might try cleaning it also.

thanks again,the os cd was new out of the sealed packet and is perfect,I would try linux but as I am only on dialup here in the campo in Spain it would take weeks to download its bad enough trying to do anything cant get any adsl at moment think Telefonica dont like spending the euros even though we have landline phone service.

regards Geoff A

Well, you can have a Ubuntu CD mailed to you for free from Ubuntu. Won't hurt to get it.

https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

Thanks Ive ordered ubunto,will try that when it arrives,still thinking it is software or driver as keyboard has never been a problem upto reinstall,onscreen keyboard is ok apart from ctrl,alt,del doesnt bring up taskmanager

Geoff A