When I press the "hash" key windows shuts down. I am using a UK keyboard so this key is next to the return key and it is easy to hit by mistake.

I have tried different keyboards with the same result.

Any ideas?

Welcome to PCHF - the good people will have an answer..........

In the first instance please advise make, model of PC and operating system.

Also if you open some word processing application (Word, Works, etc) and you hit the # key what happens?

and another also when you say the PC shuts down, is it crashing or going through the regular shutdown process?

I have a Shuttle FN45 running Win XP SP2

When I hit the hash key it causes a normal shutdown - closing all open applications, before powering off.

The same thing happens if I press the hash key in Word.

Next step:

Start - Control Panel - Regional & Language Options

Select the Languages Tab - then Details in the Text Services and Input Languages section.

Please report back what keyboards you see in that area

Default input language is: Englih (United Kingdom) - United Kingdom

Installed Services:

EN English (United Kingdom)
Keyboard
*United Kingdom

Well that, to say the least, is odd.

So go:

Start - Run - (type) sfc /scannow (with the space)(Enter)

sfc = System File Checker restores files to their correct state.

This may require you to put in your XP CD.

I've trid that, but the problem is still there.