what have I done?

[Kali]

desktop keyboard is doing something strange. most is normal but letters a, d, s, w have somehow relocated to the arrow keys! if I hit the actual letter keys, they perform odd functions. the "a" backskips a space. the "w" jumps back a whole line of text. "d" and "s" don't seem to do anything. shift key makes arrow keys caps - WADS.

have tried restarting, what next?

[Tasmanian Devil]

1. What kind of computer?

Laptop running windows? MacOS? External keyboard or built-in (laptop)? Sounds like somehow the keyboard has gotten into "game" mode ... adsw are often used for arrow keys in keyboards without real arrow keys.

Sounds like some sort of keyboard mode set. I'd try powering off (not just restarting) and see if that's enough to reset things...

[Kali]

3. yes an old windows

ok will try hard reboot

[Kali]

6. I think you are right

just those keys are switched. power full off did not work.

[canetoad]

2. Hi Kali

Keyboard might be buggered - it happens. Is it a gaming keyboard? They are usually programmable and you may just have lucked out with the key combination.

Could also be junk, dust, cannabis seeds (joke) or other detritus down between the keys. Upend and tap gently until stuff falls out or use a can of air duster to clean.

I go through keyboards like chocolates and always keep a couple of spares. If none of the above works best to try a new one.

Edit: Forgot to say: did you happen to get any liquid on it? Only a drop will do in the right place. That can cause freaky behaviour as you described. Solution - turn upside down and let it dry out for a day or two.

[Kali]

5. not gaming board. I was typing something

with a bunch of junk on my desk in front of the keyboard (between me and it) something must have pushed some combo of commands. AAAARRRGGGG!!! I'm too far away from town tonight. there must be a way to undo this

[MacKasey]

4. Keyboard layout

Check Keyboard Layout: Ensure the correct language/layout is selected in your taskbar (e.g., US QWERTY).

[Kali]

7. I need more simple instrctions

[walkingman]

8. FYI

&t=3s

[Kali]

9. aha!

that worked! my son and I had got to something with the FN key but all of google's suggestions so far failed

thank you!