Using Slackware 12.2

I can type ok in a console: ctrl + alt +f2 etc.
I can type ok when I log in before startx, but I can`t
type in a console or shell after I get into KDE
The characters on my keyboard do not match what is
being printed.

Someone told me this was probably something to do with Unicode.
I need help in figuring this out.

Thanks.