User unable to type '@' while logging onto the computer

A user reported she couldn't type '@' to login using her account.
The reason being I installed XP using language as English UK. User hadn't been able to type '@' and some other letters on word file or email as well. To resolve the problem I followed the following steps:
1) In "Regional and Language Options" under "control panel", changed all settings to 'English (Aus)'. You could also change it to 'English (US)'. It asked me to reboot the computer. I still was unable to type '@' while logging in but once logged in I was able to write it on word files and emails.

2) Then I searched and found a remedy. Edit registry.
Go to HKCU\Keyboard Layout\Preload and in the right hand side column, double click on setting 1 and change the value data to 00000c09.
Otherwise you can note down the value under 'HKEY_Users\.Default\Keyboard Layout\Preload' under setting 1 and enter the same value in the path in 'HKLU\Keyboard Layout\Preload.

Simple solution which took a long time.