Can't get num lock to work on Dell Inspiron 6400

try to find a key on your keyboard that is named num lock (maybe with blue text.)
hold FN and push the num lock button and the problem should be gone.

This sounds like your keyboard is malfunctioning. Since the W key has no alternative function (least of all Num Lock). You may consider replacing the keyboard.
http://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Notebook-Keyboard-Inspiron-E1405/dp/B001MS2UJ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320343181&sr=8-1

Could be a memory problem try removing the bottom panel, and remove both memory modules clean the contact and replace them in the slot

Hi,

Please follow these steps.

Click Start, click Run, and type regedit to open the Windows registry editor.

In the registry, open the below folders.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
Control Panel\
Keyboard\

Within the keyboard folder, you should have a string value named "InitialKeyboardIndicators" with a value of 0, 1, or 2. Below is the explanation of each of these values.

0 = Num Lock is turned OFF after the logon.
1 = Disable Num Lock.
2 = Numlock is turned ON after the logon.

Please let me know whether this works or no.

Go into the BIOS by pressing F2 at startup.

Once in there. Disable the Numlock.

Hope this helps

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 pv and I am not sure what you mean by the "lock" key. There are 2 lock keys on the computer: Number lock - which doubles as the Scroll lock when combined with the "Fn" key. Either of these can be toggled on or off. To enable or disable, simply press the key. If the lock for Caps or Num is on, the led just left of the power button will be lit.
On the Inspiron 6000, behavior for the NUM lock can be set in the system set-up. I am assuming the issue you are having has to do with how the lock is configured in the setup. Try adjusting the behavior to see if this helps fix your problem.

the led either burned or became un-soldered from the board. the labor to fix it is not worth it in my opinion un-less you can do it yourself.

If the Num lock is lit constant, and the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock keys are flashing, the system is reporting a memory error. Power off the system, remove the battery, and follow the user manual from support.dell.com to reseat the memory module(s). If the error persists, you may need to replace the memory and/or the system board of the portable.

Sounds like your number lock is on. Find the key with blue lettering that says 'Num Lk' (or something very similar). Press Fn and that key, and your number lock will be turned off and your keys will go back to normal.

Hope this helps.

Your Num Lock is on. Press the Num Lock key and that should turn it off and you should be able to type normally again.