FYI. have you checked for malware or adware/spyware?  Just asking.

I ran an updated AdAware (found one toolbar), then Spybot, then VirusScan.  All clean.

 

But the 'character issue' just started moments ago.

 

I'm now thinking I'd like to run an app / process logging mechanism that would log all the different things going on that I could review looking for clues.

 

Is there such a beast?  Does XP have an Event Viewer?  I'm not sure what level of detail I'd need, but at least something that logged apps in focus, maybe keystrokes, possibly background processes.

 

Any other ideas are certainly welcome!  This is a very frustrating issue, as I do all my work on this laptop and rebooting is just a pain.

 

 

Brief search, didn't find any logging tools but did find a decent (and free) process and port monitor.

WinSonar - http://digilander.libero.it/zancart/

 

I already had a license for WatchDog ( http://www.watchdogpc.com) so I will use that for app and keyboard logging.  By the way, this is a GREAT tool for enforcing some rules for kids on a PC and does some monitoring if you feel that is necessary.

 

And all this just to get SOME possible info on the real issue - the strange character translation issue.  Crazy.