Exclamation point wont work?

You can try doing a SMC reset. If that doesn't fix it then create another user account (call it Test Account) and leave it pristine. Don't make any changes to that account of any type. Then log into that account, and test to see if you have the same issue. If you do NOT then it's a software problem with your user account. If you do then you know it's system wide and could either be software or hardware.





*SMC RESET*

• Shut down the computer.
• Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
• On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
• Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
• Press the power button to turn on the computer.





*PRAM RESET*

• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
• Release the keys.

Check System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts to see if ! has been assigned to a shortcut, or just click Restore Defaults. Also check the Speech preferences (usually Esc is the listenting key, maybe reassigned).