Tiger-sea,

Thank you for using Dell's Community Forum.

You can ascertain your BIOS revision by entering the BIOS where that information is provided.

When you update or change the BIOS, the existing BIOS is replaced, so you do not need to “erase” it.

You might first make sure the keyboard connector is fully plugged to the motherboard - sounds more like the  problem than the BIOS shot in the dark.  How could the BIOS suddenly cause the three keys to stop functioning??!!
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/ins8500/en/sm/keyboard.htm#1111863

i agree with johnallg, the bios could not possibly cause 3 keys to stop working. this might be a hardware problem and the keyboard itself might have to be replaced. if you're comfortable removing components then you can try checking the keyboard connector.

Thanks guys and merry christmas! Before putting my adorable looking laptop on the operation table to open it up, I like to state my views; If there is a connector problem then how come the other keys are working? I bought this i8500 in Canada, and has no problem using those three problem keys to type the european letters such as: é, ä, ù, õ, ê.  Do you know how to put the setting back to manufacture setting ( the american standard).? Thanks again.

Tiger-sea.

try to google for windows xp tweaks. if i remember it right there was a tweak from techtv.com where you can change setting in windows without having to reinstall the operating system. ill try to look for it and post it back when i see it.