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[Mr Anders]

I guess this isn't a common problem then. Thanks everyone for the feedback so far. Here's some more specific information per your questions:

Yes, typing into the DOSBOX command prompt is also only numbers.

To be clear, it's not mapping each key to a certain number. The typed number will always be the NEXT digit in sequence, or the related symbol if I hold shift/capslock. I can still use the arrow keys correctly, however.

I'm using the keyboard built into a lenovo ideapad.

I'm not a computer expert, but I'm pretty sure that this is unrelated to NumLock or Fn.

Here are a couple of examples. I haven't tried to play too many games yet for reasons which are hopefully evident.

Advanced Civilization - when I play it in XP, the keyboard works normally fior a little while, usually 10-30 mins, after which I can only type the numbers in order. The game is still playable because you only use the keyboard to name save games. In DOSBOX I can only type the numbers from the beginning.

King's Bounty - in XP I can type exactly one letter correctly, which selects a character or loads a game. Since this is a keyboard-only game, its unplayable in this state. DOSBOX doesn't even give me that first keystroke correctly.

Railroad Tycoon/1830; same issue, only can type numbers. 1830 is barely playable if I am careful.

Let me know if there's anything I'm forgetting. I'm trying to articulate the problem as best I can. Again, this has never come up in any other aspect of using my computer.