I'm having a strange problem on winxp where I 

1) save a .js file (with the Max-based editor) and then 

2a) An example of the result is that a message typed as [asdf] prints out [aoeu] and all of my keymappings are wrong. The right key obviously creates the wrong action in M5.

Let me know if anyone needs more details in order to test...

I'm having a strange problem on winxp where I 
1) save a .js file (with the Max-based editor) and then 
2) open a Max patch up.
2a) An example of the result is that a message typed as [asdf] prints out [aoeu] and all of my keymappings are wrong.  The right key obviously creates the wrong action in M5.

winxp
Max5 v5.0.6 SP3
Pentium 4 2.8Ghz
1.5 GB RAM

file-editing-problem

Sounds like you have somehow managed to switch between qwerty and dvorak keyboard layouts. I haven't worked on a windows machine for a while so I can't tell you exactly what you need to look for but in the control panel their should be some options to change your keyboard settings.

yea; that's what the culprit was.
found it under 

> control panel 
> regional and lang options 
> text services and input languages

File editing problem