Expert: Brian Benosky - 7/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: ive got a rather large problem. it seems someone has messed around with my registry to try to change my keyboard settings. obviously, this didnt work out too well. now about half of my keys just make differant windows pop up. i cant use my computer, and i am asking this quesiton on a differant computer, so a hasty response would be very much appreciated. is there a free program that will reset my registry or something to that effect? should i try creating a new binary for my keyboard?

ANSWER: Hi Fargo

I would suggest that you try a system restore.  Go back to the point before your keyboard mapping was changed.  This should also repair the registry entries.  If you do not know how to restore your system, click Start, then type RESTORE into the Start menu search box, and you’ll immediately see System Restore at the top of the start menu.  Click on it and follow the prompts.  Let me know how you make out.

Brian



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i should have mentioned this before but my system restore is turned off, so thats not going to work. i have a compaq presario, so i do have my computer backed up, but im not sure how to use that in a way that wont make me lose a bunch of other stuff. what are my options?

ANSWER: Hi Fargo

If you have, or can borrow, a Vista CD/DVD, you can repair the computer using Vista Startup Repair.  The instructions can be found here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html

If you cannot obtain a Vista disk, you can try using the System File Checker built into Vista.  Click Start, type COMMAND into the Start menu search box, and you will see the shortcut for the CMD prompt at the top.  Right click on it and choose Run As Administrator.  Click Yes in the UAC, then a command box will open.  Type the following:
sfc /scannow
Be sure to include the space between the c and the /.  Press Enter and follow the prompts to begin scanning for incorrect system files.  

Note that neither of the above methods will change any personal files, only Windows system files.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the system file checker was actually my first response to this problem, but the problem is with the keyboard map in the registry by my understanding. i cant use the f or c keys. i tried to use the system file checker booting from the instalation disk, but all it does is give me the message that it could not complete the request or something along those lines. start up recovery also isnt working, and after attempting it several times, i am quite sure it is not because of a lack of understanding that is causing it to fail.

Answer
Hi Fargo

You are deliberately making it difficult! :-) LOL!

There are two programs I found which will help you to remap the keyboard.  Try this first:

http://www.inchwest.com/software/mapkeyboard.zip

Unzip and run the executable.

If that doesn't work, try this one:

http://www.randyrants.com/sharpkeys2.zip

Same deal, unzip and run the .exe.  

I will keep my fingers crossed for you.  If neither of these work, then you may need to restore from the backup you made in order to get things working again.

Brian