Keyboard issues

ok im useing a gateway laptop and the problem is that altho the keyboard works in typeing programs in games it just stops no key does anything unless i hold in shift with it or if i use a function key.......i tried changeing the key bindings in the game and it kept saying number lock instead of say the letter w or s when i tried to bind it.....iv looked for the number lock button but it doesnt have one what should i do please?