While working with outlook via remote assistance connection where we were simply making a back up file of outlook....the keyboard on the laptop generated charecters that were not the same as the keys pressed. Interestingly t e s t works but other keys do not. For example abcdefgh are ok then in order 51230n6 instead of ijklmnop...etc.

Any ideas how to proceed would be welcomed. Forget asking sony for help!

Dani AI

Generated

The symptom reported by — a block of normal letters followed by digits or other unexpected characters — is classic for an active embedded numeric keypad on older VAIO laptops. correctly identified the immediate cause; the following clarifies diagnosis, recovery, and related follow-ups so the thread remains useful to someone finding it years later.

Quick diagnosis and recovery

  • The embedded keypad is usually toggled by a function/NumLock key marked with a keypad icon; that key is commonly used together with the laptop Fn key. Toggling that control returns the keys to their normal letter output.
  • If toggling does not help, verify whether the OS accessibility option that maps keys to pointer movement (Mouse Keys / Ease of Access) is enabled, and try an external USB keyboard to separate hardware from software causes.
  • A physically stuck key, spilled liquid, or a failing keyboard matrix can produce similar, intermittent faults; if the problem recurs after toggling, consider keyboard cleaning, reseating, or replacement.

Prevention and extra checks

  • Some VAIO BIOS/UEFI setups include a NumLock-at-boot option; setting this consistently avoids surprising remapping after cold boots.
  • VAIO hotkey/driver packages control function-key behavior on many models; keeping those utilities correct for the OS can prevent accidental toggles.

Note on the separate BIOS-password report by

  • A BIOS supervisor/password prompt that cannot be answered is a different, higher-risk issue. Older machines sometimes clear a BIOS password by removing CMOS power, but many Sony VAIOs store passwords in nonvolatile memory and require authorized service. For immediate data access, the hard drive can be removed and attached to another system for backup. Avoid invasive bypass attempts that could void warranty or break security protections; professional service is recommended.

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You have num lock turned on ,the ijklmnop keys are set as number keys .
should be a key along the top row to change this ,look for one with numlock on it or something like that .may even be a keypad icon on it ,
,using the FN key on the bottom row and the key on the top row together to make the change .

duh....i feel so insignificant, good for you!....btw a very capable guru could not figure this out.

Thanks

Mike

duh....i feel so insignificant, good for you!....btw a very capable guru could not figure this out.

Thanks

Mike

Glad to have helped !good luck

i need help w/ my start up on my vio 505bx
the windows icon comes up and then it goes into bios password--I dont have one, so it locks... and then asks to go into safe mode but never starts up

i need help w/ my start up on my vio 505bx
the windows icon comes up and then it goes into bios password--I dont have one, so it locks... and then asks to go into safe mode but never starts up

thats one for a qualified computer tech ,must be one near you ,you can trust to fix it for you not much anyone here can do when it comes to a password you don't know ,sorry

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