I somehow make my keyboard go into shortcuts instead of tying.

Lord Jezo

It has happened to me a couple times and I have no idea how I do it or how to get out of it, the only way I can find to correct it is to reset the whole machine.

Windows 7
Microsoft USB Sidewinder keyboard.
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/sidewinder-x4-keyboard/JQD-00001

What happens is that instead of tying many of the keys become macros or shortcuts. Like if I hit "B", instead of tying a b it switches to the start bar. Other letter keys minimize windows or switch between tasks.

I have no idea how to break out of this or how I even turned it on. I pushed everything I could find on there but only resetting Windows got me out of it and let me type normally.

Skoal Cat

Pull up the on screen keyboard and see if your keyboard is registering some key being depressed (such as the ctrl key)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Type-without-using-the-keyboard-On-Screen-Keyboard

JHunz

Could be your windows key getting stuck. There are all sorts of shortcuts assigned to that (although I don't remember a Windows-B)

Djeet

Check and see if you're activating Sticky Keys, or other keyboard accessibility options. Go to -> Control Panel -> Ease of Access or Ease of Access Center.

symbolsor

I have the same keyboard and this happens to me too, not often but it's annoying. My google-fu fails me.