[AWR]

Ummm...

Kids playing with computer and "did something".

Now my MBP (10.5.6) is talking me through menus (pretty cool, especially if I could turn it off), AND the top function keys (brightness, dashboard, volume keys) are acting differently (e.g., volume up key now acts as dashboard function).

Also, there seems to be a random black box around certain "things".

Thanks for any help, guys

[Dave]

I think the talking bit is in the Universal Access control panel. Don't know about the rest.

[AWR]

Done. Thanks, Dave, that's where it/ what it was. Sorted out all of the issues.

[Like poking around a dark cave for me.]

[iFerret]

Ah yes, universal access.
There are keyboard shortcuts which activate various UA functions like VoiceOver. As someone who uses a lot of key shortcuts but can be quite clumsy when doing so, I frequently find myself activating them. The worst is when it's late at night (or any time) and you accidentally press the key shortcut while your volume's up pretty high. All of a sudden you get 'Alex' screaming at you about windows and toolbars.

You know, no help, but I thought I'd add it anyway.