Emachines

hope someone can help...my dad aged 73 took it on himself to purchase a laptop without my presence, and purchased a Emachine lap top...came without any instructions. My question is i can not set up an e mail account for him (as im tryin to teach a aged first timer and im not great myself)because when using the shift button to create '@' it justs gives ' same as question mark etc.
i have previously read that turning your keyboard to US (usa) will rectify this but still no joy....i know i can take computer back but he bought it from a bloody supermarket and i have spent hours installing programmes on it so if anyone knows a easy solution bar the keyboard to USA i would be very grateful..incidentally even though i have changed all settings and languages to UK it still shows as UK Maori ???