Are any of the keys stuck...especially the CTRL key?

Maybe there's something here that will help correct this issue:

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Fix-text-formatted-numbers-by-applying-a-number-format-6599C03A-954D-4D83-B78A-23AF2C8845D0

The link in the preceding comment concerns cell formats in a spreadsheet. The OP is using Notepad so this isn't relevant.

Can you avoid the problem by using the other 1 key and not using this one?

How old is this keyboard/desktop? Do you have another keyboard to try? If not, after rebooting the machine, disconnecting and then reconnecting the keyboard, if the problem persists I'd buy a new keyboard (they're not expensive). See if that remedies the situation. Buy it from a seller that accepts returns if the problem continues when using the new one.

NOTE: This is a reply to azinoh's suggestion. I just noticed a couple others posted since composing my reply that I haven't read yet. :-)

Nope. Not even the keys in close proximity to the '1'.

Btw, now (a few hours after posting) there's no more of that weird text input. I guess that's the good news. But the bad news is there's no '1' or exclamation point either. It's like the key is dead.

That's odd, isn't it? Even though it wasn't initially registering the '1' when I pressed it, it was producing those letters. At least that's something. (In fact, as I noted, it produced the exclamation point from that very key.) But now, nothing.

I did pull the key and blow in the space to see if any piece of debris or something would fly out that was affecting the function. There was none that I could find.

I have not yet resorted to dismantling the entire keyboard for a cleaning. I'm not sure that would solve the one-key problem anyway.

???

Anyway, thanks for the thought. :-)

[P.S. In the event I actually have to replace this old thing with a new one, does anyone know a good place to get a reliable, corded, desktop keyboard?]

Thanks, Snidely.

Just to be precise, it was by using a text editor that I first noticed the problem, but of course, it's a hardware issue it seems, so the '1' doesn't work at all.

And, yes, I'm able to use the '1' on the numerical keypad as a work-around for the time being. The desktop is new but the keyboard is old (or should I say, "olde"?). I have a few others, mostly in worse shape than this one.

I'll try your suggestion about rebooting and then start perusing the online sites. (I'd prefer a corded keyboard for my desktop.)

Thanks for the suggestions/input so far! {exclamation point courtesy of my Windows 7 on-screen keyboard} ;-)

"[not2bright: P.S. In the event I actually have to replace this old thing with a new one, does anyone know a good place to get a reliable, corded, desktop
keyboard?]"

My all-time favorite keyboards are Key Tronic brand. I bought a Designer/Lifetime Warranty model more than 20 years ago for a desktop system I built at work and have kept it through a few replacement computers. The keyboard got zapped recently when exposed to a water leak. They still carry it, under a different model name (Designer-PS2). It may well have been covered by the lifetime warranty but I bought a replacement (the labels were worn off the "home" keys and the Enter and right-side Shift keys were worn-loose). Expensive at $60 but well-worth the cost for a heavy-use keyboarder IMO. I use a less-deluxe Key Tronic board at home, also kept through a succession of desktop computers.

Key Tronic Shop Online

I agree: get a new keyboard. They're cheap, especially compared to all the time you have spent on this...

Well, the votes seem unanimous, so "get a new one" it is!

Snidely, the desktop was custom built about 4 years ago by someone I trust. (He also built the previous one I had since 2004.) The keyboards, however, I got (used) about 15 years ago or more. That's why the latter are almost all shot and not the former. :-)

dadoes, thanks for your recommendation! But.... ouch... I don't think the one you mentioned is in my budget right now. :-( I'm looking at some of their other less expensive Keytronic models, though, as well as reviews (at Amazon).

Yikes. I hope it was really cheap. Roll your own PCs went out of fashion ages ago, well before Y2K, because Intel (among others) started integrating what used to be separate components onto what also used to be just the motherboard. Better performance, cheaper costs (especially when bought in large quantities) and fewer incompatibilities.

You can usually get much more for your money with the better brand name ones at lower prices and with better warranties. You have what you have but don't think you've discovered some secret approach that no one knows about. It's rarely done these days except hobbyists and geeks doing same for their own use, for fun.

How about a basic Logitech wired keyboard for a little less than $15, not2bright...available at Staples. See link below. I can attest to the fact that it operates with heart, nice typing touch and I've yet to have to replace one because it died.

LOL I have a "roll-your own", too. It, also, has stood me in good stead for almost 10 years. Nothing to be ashamed of. As a matter of fact...I think we have an edge. We geeks need to stand together. :-)

https://www.staples.com/Logitech-K120-Wired-Full-size-Thin-Keyboard-Black-920-002478/product_869101

I used the term geek in its pejorative sense, If you made one, you had too much time on your hands and your time and your money maybe could have been better spent. If you bought one, the term wouldn't apply to you but you weren't well informed or advised.

I used to always like Microsoft keyboards, they'll even send you a free one if something goes wrong within warrantee if you save the receipt or buy online, and save the confirming email. They can be had from about $13 and up & you get the benefits of a real windows key :). https://goo.gl/pqwXND

I've never used a Microsoft keyboard at home or work (exclusively laptops there) but I don't think I've seen a PC (not Mac) keyboard of any type, any brand without a Windows key in the last ten years or more. Has anyone else?

Thanks for the further keyboard suggestions. An embarrassment of riches. :-D

Snidely, the person who built my most recent computer is an IT guy and president of his own small company. He frequently does work for major companies around where I live (Allentown area) and has gone as far as NYC to so work, so he is a very trusted 'geek.'

He first built a computer for me in the early 2000s, so when I needed a new one a few years ago I thought of going nowhere else. :-) But if I ever find that he's not available anymore (for building a computer or repairing the one he made for me), I'll just shop for one of the regular brands as you suggest without looking for another home-made one.

Thanks again to all for all your feedback!

Best wishes, not2. I wonder if your contact is blowing smoke? Large employers always have their own IT departments and, in my experience, don't waste their time with other than volume-purchased PCs directly from PC manufacturers or their distributors. When a machine has a problem, unless it's covered by warranty or is something simple (like replacing a drive), they get dumped.

Nope. My guy is one of the (few?) good ones. :-)