Keyboard not working in Finder

I just got a new 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Mac Pro with running 10.4.7 and I am having the weirdest problem. The Keyboard doesn't function properly in the finder! It works fine in all applications, but when I try to do a search in spotlight or name a new folder, certain letters don't register. I can type something into text edit and then copy and paste it into the folder name slot, but I can't type it directly.
They keys affected are all lower case: b,f,g,m,n,s,t,v,w. I've tried 3 different keyboards and all available USB ports, but I cannot type those characters in the finder. They work fine if I use the shift key, but it looks weird to name a folder "PhoToShop UpdaTeS". If I show the Keyboard Viewer (available in prefs/International), the keys actually highlight when I press them, but the character doesn't appear. Freaky Weird! Also, all keys DO work after a restart, but then after 5-15 minutes those same keys stop working.
Has anyone ever heard of this? I've searched all over the internet and these discussion forums and I can't find anything. Its driving me crazy! Please Help!

Thanks for the quick response, mj!
Interesting results, but it didn't solve my problem. I created a new account, and indeed the new account did not have the same keyboard problem, even after putzing arounnd in it for over 20 minutes. So it definitely is related to my main account.
However, trashing the prefs you mentioned and resterting did NOT solve the problem. Immediatly after restart, all the keys work in the finder, but as soon as I launch a single program, those same keys stop working in the finder.
Clearly, there is somwthing wrong with my user account, but what? I've noticed another problem, which is that it is almost impossible to log-out or restart - it always times out becasue it can't quit a program I have running (even if its just text edit or Safari) and I have to force quit the apps. This seems somehow related to how the keys work in the finder until I launch a program. Something to do with the finder's relationship to running programs??
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!
Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Please put the units product no. in the link and check if your PC is tested by HP with Windows 8.1
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ad/windows-8/upgrade.html
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I am an HP employee.
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after a `# pacman -Syyu` I got Xorg not starting and keyboard not working: I am unable to do anything.
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Last edited by ifsixwasnine (2013-12-23 13:58:16)

WonderWoofy wrote:
I wouldn't necessarily call this [SOLVED]. At best I would probably mention that you found a workaround. The addition of '(downgrade)' likely makes it fine, but just FYI for future threads. There are two reasons for this. One, others who find this thread are likely to dig into it thinking there is a real solution, and two, if you mark it as [Solved] it might generate less attention, lessening the chances of you actually being helped to a real solution.
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