Thanks Lady and Gents for the speedy replies - it's been quite a sad 36 hours as the old girl and I have been through a few interesting places together and the thought of consigning my trusty Vaio to the bin just doesn't bear thinking about! Considering that we've been shot at and mortared, and it's so full of Middle East dust and other c**p it's a wonder it even boots up...Sigh....maybe should have put this in Agony Aunt!
Anyway - the cover's coming off tonight for a good poke around (ooh-er) and hopefully a clean or perhaps a replacement keyboard will do the trick.
Mind you, I've just been looking at one of those nice new Macbooks....
SBG
Edited to add: Hey, Six - if I plug in a USB keyboard will it take precedence over the laptop's own?