HELP! Keyboard -lowercase 'stuck'-no caps, no Shift key-Can't 'select all'

HELP!
I have tried all sorts of things, like:
- removed syst prefs to desktop then restarted
- un-done, re-done, re-booted
- tried various options in International and Keyboard & Mouse
- run disk utility, both from startup CD AND in target disk mode
- ran Smasher
- swapped out different keyboards and/or mice
...but these are my keyboard problem symptoms that persist:
- numeric keypad not working
- the shift key (for caps & shift characters) not working&
- commands (i.e., "Select All") not working
...the keyboard does not work in ANY native Mac appl (e.g., Mail, Safari, TextEdit).
The only time my keyboard will work correctly is when I am using Firefox or Word, etc., or when I create a new account as a test new user and I log-in. Keyboard works fine. So it must just be me as user.
Also, oddly enough, keyboard prefs do not show up anywhere.
Anyplace where I should see something, such as
Library>preferences - there should be a file com.apple.keyboardtype.plist --- there is no file in any of the folders anywhere.
All of a sudden the keyboard stopped working, no warning. But my mouse attached to it still works fine. I have no clue what to do to fix and my AppleCare has ran out.
Other things I have noticed and tried:
- running tech tool
- repairing permissions
- switching usb ports for the keyboard from the back of the display
- removing the mouse from the back of the keyboard
- unplugging everything but the keyboard and mouse
...any ideas???

I did test with a spare keyboard, and it performed the same way: does not work for my user account, is fine for the test account I set up as an additional log-in.
I also did this to try and solve my issue, but still nothin':
- ran OnyX AND Cache Cleaner
- ran & configured PrefEdit
- ran AppleJack twice, once on AUTO for deep cleaning (in single-user mode, of course...)
- ran MacJanitor
- tried again to re-set my system prefs
- reset PRAM again
Sigh.
All I want is to be able to type capital letters in Mail & Safari. Seems like I'm asking for too much!
Sigh again.
Thanks for any other advice or things you think I should try.

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