Function keys stop working

For a while now, I've been encountering a problem where functions keys stop working. Pressing F8 (for spaces) or F12 (for widgets) will simply yield a "bonk".
Another symptom is that processes which open on a desktop other than the current one will fail to open because the desktop seems reluctant to switch.
I know other people have experienced similar problems because there is a post about spaces' keyboard shortcuts not working. The issue has not been resolved for many many weeks now.
I use a logitech wireless keyboard and trackball (with the logitech control application installed)
Sometimes this error will occur immediately after booting up. Sometimes it will go for days working fine. I consistently have 4 applications running:
- iTunes
- Thunderbird
- Firefox
- Adium
The other most common apps I run are:
- Quicktime
- Aperture
- iMovie
- Preview
Yet Another symptom of the problem is that the machine will refuse to shut down or restart. If I kill every "windowed" process in Activity Monitor, the machine will STILL fail to shut down. Ultimately, I have to do a 5-second hard power-down.
Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I am running into the same issue
I use a Logitech Wireless Mouse.
The switch Spaces keys, F9/F10/F11 for Expose are not working either, the Mute/F10 Vol Up, Vol Down F11 and F12 work as does the Eject button.
F18 Show Dashboard or F4 Show Dashboard don't work either.
Most frustrating

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Function keys stop working/Apps Won't launch

This issue has been occurring pretty regularly for a few months, and its starting to get quite annoying. Hopefully someone has some advice.
The first thing I'm able to notice is that the function keys (volume, expose, itunes controls, etc) will stop responding on my bluetooth keyboard (the rest of the keyboard and the mouse function just fine). Within a few minutes I won't be able to launch any apps - usually I'll get a bounce or two before they give up trying. At this point, selecting log out/restart/shut down from the apple menu is pretty fruitless and I'm left to shut down by holding down my power button on the iMac. I never receive any explicit error messages.
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I would recommend starting with a SMC reset, here are some instructions for doing one. Sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts to fix a problem so don't be afraid to repeat it.
SMC RESET
• Shut down the computer.
• Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
• Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
• Release the power button.
• Attach the computers power cable.
• Press the power button to turn on the computer.
PRAM RESET
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Sometimes the function keys stop working (can't adjust volume, screen brightness, keyboard backlighting), and at the same time I'm unable to restart, log off, or shut down in any way.

It's quite inexplicable, as I'm not able to access some system functions — I can't even open the force quit dialog to see if something has crashed. I can't open my Mac information (via "About this Mac"), but I can open System Preferences. Maybe all these functions share a common underlying process, I don't know.
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This entire thing is a hair over four months old, I don't think it should be acting up this much. Plus, this problem happens only once out of every 40 or 50 times I start this thing up. It's very infrequent, but it's there, and it just bothers me, I guess.
That said, I would try reinstalling, but I wouldn't be able to tell if it'd worked unless the problem never cropped up again in a long, long time. Sadly I also don't have access to my OSX discs at the moment (I'm out of the country).

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I can edit on Premiere Pro 6 files, but after a dozen keystrokes, the space bar and cursor keys stop working while the save function, render workspace function, export file are still operational. How can I fix it so I may complete my assignment?
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CTRL-ALT-DEL to relaunch the TaskManager and highlight Adobe Premiere Pro.exe
Right-click to "End Process"
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Re. " The command does not delete any of your specific keyboard shortcuts you have defined. "
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Function keys stop working

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