BleepingComputer.com: laptop

I just had a laptop given to me [used] when I try to write something a number comes up instead of a letter.[ these numbers are also on the keys] I have tried no.lock and unlock and that won't work. Does anyone have any ideas? I am really stupied about computers, I hope this isn't a stupied question. Thanks

So this happens even though the num lock is off or on?
if so does the light (for num-lock) atleast change state?

A lot of laptops require that you hold down an 'ALT' key in combination with the 'Num Lock' and others. The tip off is if the NUM LOCK and ALT are written in a different color; typically blue instead of the normal white.

Anyways, I suspect all that has happened is the laptop boots up with NUM LOCK enabled; very annoying. Once you solve the Alt+Num Lock puzzle all should be well.

(PS - I wrote this yesterday in reply to your first post on this topic... since you wrote a new post after that I figured you may have forgotten about your first thread. And the recognition that the number is on the key along with the letter is a very good sign that this is the trick you want to learn.)