Added a natural keyboard validation to check for valid natural keyboard (uni)codes (#2618)

44 files changed, 86 insertions, 80 deletions

diff --git a/src/emu/ioport.cpp b/src/emu/ioport.cpp
index 85c41d56499..2ee04f28072 100644
--- a/src/emu/ioport.cpp
+++ b/src/emu/ioport.cpp
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ ioport_field::ioport_field(ioport_port &port, ioport_type type, ioport_value def
 	// reset sequences and chars
 	for (input_seq_type seqtype = SEQ_TYPE_STANDARD; seqtype < SEQ_TYPE_TOTAL; ++seqtype)
 		m_seq[seqtype].set_default();
-	m_chars[0] = m_chars[1] = m_chars[2] = m_chars[3] = char32_t(0);
+	std::fill(std::begin(m_chars), std::end(m_chars), char32_t(0));
 
 	// for DIP switches and configs, look for a default value from the owner
 	if (type == IPT_DIPSWITCH || type == IPT_CONFIG)
@@ -766,17 +766,10 @@ ioport_type_class ioport_field::type_class() const
 
 char32_t ioport_field::keyboard_code(int which) const
 {
-	char32_t ch;
-
 	if (which >= ARRAY_LENGTH(m_chars))
 		throw emu_fatalerror("Tried to access keyboard_code with out-of-range index %d\n", which);
 
-	ch = m_chars[which];
-
-	// special hack to allow for PORT_CODE('\xA3')
-	if (ch >= 0xffffff80 && ch <= 0xffffffff)
-		ch &= 0xff;
-	return ch;
+	return m_chars[which];
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/emu/ioport.h b/src/emu/ioport.h
index 5e07c848b50..a391492a906 100644
--- a/src/emu/ioport.h
+++ b/src/emu/ioport.h
@@ -1144,7 +1144,7 @@ private:
 
 	// data relevant to other specific types
 	u8                          m_way;              // digital joystick 2/4/8-way descriptions
-	char32_t                    m_chars[4];         // unicode key data
+	char32_t                    m_chars[1 << (UCHAR_SHIFT_END - UCHAR_SHIFT_BEGIN + 1)];         // unicode key data
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/emu/validity.cpp b/src/emu/validity.cpp
index c621e222281..f5f139c38b7 100644
--- a/src/emu/validity.cpp
+++ b/src/emu/validity.cpp
@@ -1832,6 +1832,19 @@ void validity_checker::validate_inputs()
 				for (ioport_setting &setting : field.settings())
 					if (!setting.condition().none())
 						validate_condition(setting.condition(), device, port_map);
+
+				// verify natural keyboard codes
+				for (int which = 0; which < 1 << (UCHAR_SHIFT_END - UCHAR_SHIFT_BEGIN + 1); which++)
+				{
+					char32_t code = field.keyboard_code(which);
+					if (code && !uchar_isvalid(code))
+					{
+						osd_printf_error("Field '%s' has non-character U+%04X in PORT_CHAR(%d)\n",
+							name,
+							(unsigned)code,
+							(int)code);
+					}
+				}
 			}
 
 			// done with this port
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/apogee.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/apogee.cpp
index 68ad3be8873..5c482f4c071 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/apogee.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/apogee.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( apogee )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('\"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7) PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/bbc.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/bbc.cpp
index 12b6d36f370..4b6ad39cf54 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/bbc.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/bbc.cpp
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(bbc_keyboard)
 	PORT_START("COL8")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("^ ~")                PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)       PORT_CHAR('^') PORT_CHAR('~')
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("_ \xC2\xA3")         PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE)        PORT_CHAR('_') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("_ \xC2\xA3")         PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE)        PORT_CHAR('_') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("[ {")                PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)    PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME(": *")                PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)        PORT_CHAR(':') PORT_CHAR('*')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("] }")                PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)   PORT_CHAR(']') PORT_CHAR('}')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/bk.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/bk.cpp
index 76db0caf56c..2898ab3f031 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/bk.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/bk.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( bk0010 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('\"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7) PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/c128.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/c128.cpp
index c1d9b288db2..45405b5d6e9 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/c128.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/c128.cpp
@@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c128 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("CLR HOME") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)      PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(HOME))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                             PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(']')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)                        PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 
 	PORT_START( "ROW7" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("RUN STOP") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME)
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c128_fr )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("@  \xc3\xbb  { ^  \xc2\xa8 }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)   PORT_CHAR('@') PORT_CHAR(0x00FB)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(":  [  { \xc3\xb9  % }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)              PORT_CHAR(':') PORT_CHAR('[')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(".  >  { :  / }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)                      PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("-  \xc2\xb0  { -  _ }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)             PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('\xB0')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("-  \xc2\xb0  { -  _ }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)             PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR(0xB0)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("+  \xc3\xab  { )  \xc2\xb0 }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)       PORT_CHAR('+') PORT_CHAR(0x00EB)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY( "ROW6" )
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c128_it )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("@  \xc3\xbb  { \xc3\xac  = }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR('@') PORT_CHAR(0x00FB)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(":  [  { \xc3\xb9  % }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)      PORT_CHAR(':') PORT_CHAR('[')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(".  >  { :  / }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)              PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("-  \xc2\xb0  { -  + }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)     PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('\xb0')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("-  \xc2\xb0  { -  + }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)     PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR(0xB0)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("+  \xc3\xab  { )  \xc2\xb0 }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('+') PORT_CHAR(0x00EB)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY( "ROW6" )
@@ -1021,7 +1021,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c128_se )
 
 	PORT_MODIFY( "ROW6" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(";  +") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)               PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR('+')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("\xc2\xa3  { \xc3\xb6 }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE) PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("\xc2\xa3  { \xc3\xb6 }") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE) PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("@") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)                 PORT_CHAR('@')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(":  *") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)              PORT_CHAR(':') PORT_CHAR('*')
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/c64.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/c64.cpp
index e9f3f1ee2c5..30b82b23c79 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/c64.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/c64.cpp
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c64 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("CLR HOME") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)      PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(HOME))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                             PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(']')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)                        PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 
 	PORT_START( "ROW7" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("RUN STOP") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/c65.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/c65.cpp
index 82e6ce4bb5e..0dee7a7ce6b 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/c65.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/c65.cpp
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( c65 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("CLR HOME") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)      PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(HOME))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                             PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(']')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)                        PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 
 	PORT_START( "ROW7" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("RUN STOP") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/cat.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/cat.cpp
index 7bb3cb0c79a..9634752eba1 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/cat.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/cat.cpp
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( cat )
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_J) PORT_CHAR('j') PORT_CHAR('J')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y) PORT_CHAR('y') PORT_CHAR('Y')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_T) PORT_CHAR('t') PORT_CHAR('T')
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('\xa2')
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR(0xA2)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 
 	PORT_START("Y1")
@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( cat )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Return") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ENTER) PORT_CHAR(13)
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_S) PORT_CHAR('s') PORT_CHAR('S')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR('\xbd') PORT_CHAR('\xbc') //PORT_CHAR('}') PORT_CHAR('{')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR(0xBD) PORT_CHAR(0xBC) //PORT_CHAR('}') PORT_CHAR('{')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q) PORT_CHAR('q') PORT_CHAR('Q')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('_')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( cat )
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Erase") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSPACE)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED) // totally unused
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("UNDO") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)
-	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR('\xb1') PORT_CHAR('\xb0') // PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('~')
+	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR(0xB1) PORT_CHAR(0xB0) // PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('~')
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/dragon.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/dragon.cpp
index 953373ce9d9..a6c56109853 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/dragon.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/dragon.cpp
@@ -120,22 +120,22 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( dragon200e_keyboard )
 	PORT_INCLUDE(dragon_keyboard)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY("row0")
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("0 \xC3\x87") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0) PORT_CHAR('0') PORT_CHAR('\xC7')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("0 \xC3\x87") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0) PORT_CHAR('0') PORT_CHAR(0xC7)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY("row1")
-	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("\xC3\x91") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON) PORT_CHAR('\xD1')
+	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("\xC3\x91") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON) PORT_CHAR(0xD1)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY("row2")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR('+')
 
 	PORT_MODIFY("row5")
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("DOWN \xC2\xA1") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_DOWN) PORT_CHAR(10) PORT_CHAR('\xA1')
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("RIGHT \xC2\xBF") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_RIGHT) PORT_CHAR(9) PORT_CHAR('\xBF')
-	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("SPACE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR('\xA7')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("DOWN \xC2\xA1") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_DOWN) PORT_CHAR(10) PORT_CHAR(0xA1)
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("RIGHT \xC2\xBF") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_RIGHT) PORT_CHAR(9) PORT_CHAR(0xBF)
+	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("SPACE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR(0xA7)
 
 	PORT_MODIFY("row6")
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("CLEAR @") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME) PORT_CHAR(12) PORT_CHAR('@')
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("BREAK \xC3\xBC") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_END) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ESC) PORT_CHAR(27) PORT_CHAR('\xFC')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CHANGED_MEMBER(DEVICE_SELF, dragon_state, keyboard_changed, nullptr) PORT_NAME("BREAK \xC3\xBC") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_END) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ESC) PORT_CHAR(27) PORT_CHAR(0xFC)
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 static INPUT_PORTS_START( dragon )
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/einstein.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/einstein.cpp
index ef45136d2cb..d6b2873335f 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/einstein.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/einstein.cpp
@@ -536,9 +536,9 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( einstein )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_O) PORT_CHAR('O')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_P) PORT_CHAR('P')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("LEFT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_LEFT) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(LEFT))
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("DOWN") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_DOWN) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(DOWN))
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('\xBA') PORT_CHAR('\xBD')    // is \xBA correct for double vertical bar || ?
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR(0xBA) PORT_CHAR(0xBD)    // is \xBA correct for double vertical bar || ?
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0) PORT_CHAR('0') PORT_CHAR('@')
 
 	PORT_START("LINE2")
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/electron.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/electron.cpp
index 52226514a12..82f7d94dda1 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/electron.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/electron.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( electron )
 
 	PORT_START("LINE.2")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01,  IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)      PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('=')
-	PORT_BIT(0x02,  IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("\xE2\x86\x91 \xC2\xA3 {") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(UP)) PORT_CHAR('\xA3') PORT_CHAR('{')
+	PORT_BIT(0x02,  IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("\xE2\x86\x91 \xC2\xA3 {") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(UP)) PORT_CHAR(0xA3) PORT_CHAR('{')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04,  IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)      PORT_CHAR(':') PORT_CHAR('*')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08,  IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_UNUSED)
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/fk1.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/fk1.cpp
index bb36819802b..7cbdc7d26ed 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/fk1.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/fk1.cpp
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( fk1 )
 		PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 		PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('\"')
 		PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-		PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+		PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 		PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 		PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 		PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7) PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/intv.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/intv.cpp
index c22ecb51e7f..7a38f368ebd 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/intv.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/intv.cpp
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( intvkbd )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)  PORT_CHAR('=') PORT_CHAR('+')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0)       PORT_CHAR('0') PORT_CHAR(')')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_8)       PORT_CHAR('8') PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6)       PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('\xA2')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6)       PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR(0xA2)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4)       PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('$')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)       PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('@')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("NC")
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/irisha.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/irisha.cpp
index 2b6a456a4ab..31bbe07da41 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/irisha.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/irisha.cpp
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( irisha )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y) PORT_CHAR('Y') PORT_CHAR('y')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Z) PORT_CHAR('Z') PORT_CHAR('z')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2) PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('\xA6')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR(0xA6)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE) PORT_CHAR(']') PORT_CHAR('}')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR('^') PORT_CHAR('~')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS) PORT_CHAR('_')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/jupace.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/jupace.cpp
index 1c696430197..ff488373a09 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/jupace.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/jupace.cpp
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( ace )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_RSHIFT)     PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_SHIFT_1)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("Symbol Shift") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_LSHIFT) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_SHIFT_2)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Z)          PORT_CHAR('z') PORT_CHAR('Z') PORT_CHAR(':')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_X)          PORT_CHAR('x') PORT_CHAR('X') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_X)          PORT_CHAR('x') PORT_CHAR('X') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_C)          PORT_CHAR('c') PORT_CHAR('C') PORT_CHAR('?')
 	PORT_BIT( 0xe0, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED )
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/mikrosha.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/mikrosha.cpp
index cfdf4570cda..f57822af3c0 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/mikrosha.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/mikrosha.cpp
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( mikrosha )
 	PORT_START("LINE4")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ENTER) PORT_CHAR(13)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("PgUp") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_PGUP)
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COMMA) PORT_CHAR(',') PORT_CHAR('<')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_D) PORT_CHAR('D')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_L) PORT_CHAR('L')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/msx.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/msx.cpp
index 3867ff51857..02705ff7f37 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/msx.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/msx.cpp
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ Additional note about natural keyboard support: currently,
 	PORT_BIT (0x1000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)    PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('^')  \
 	PORT_BIT (0x2000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)     PORT_CHAR('\'') PORT_CHAR('`')  \
 	PORT_BIT (0x4000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)    PORT_CHAR('"') PORT_CHAR('`')   \
-	PORT_BIT (0x8000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)         PORT_CHAR('\xC7') PORT_CHAR('\xE7')
+	PORT_BIT (0x8000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)         PORT_CHAR(0xC7) PORT_CHAR(0xE7)
 
 #define KEYB_EXPERT11_ROW1   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0100, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_8)             PORT_CHAR('8') PORT_CHAR('\'')  \
@@ -763,7 +763,7 @@ Additional note about natural keyboard support: currently,
 
 #define KEYB_EXPERT10_ROW2   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0001, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)     PORT_CHAR('\'') PORT_CHAR('"')  \
-	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('\xC7') PORT_CHAR('\xE7') \
+	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR(0xC7) PORT_CHAR(0xE7) \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0004, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COMMA)     PORT_CHAR(',') PORT_CHAR('<')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0008, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)      PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0010, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SLASH)     PORT_CHAR('/') PORT_CHAR('?')   \
@@ -773,7 +773,7 @@ Additional note about natural keyboard support: currently,
 
 #define KEYB_EXPERT11_ROW2   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0001, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('*') PORT_CHAR('@')   \
-	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)     PORT_CHAR('\xC7') PORT_CHAR('\xE7') \
+	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)     PORT_CHAR(0xC7) PORT_CHAR(0xE7) \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0004, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COMMA)     PORT_CHAR(',') PORT_CHAR('<')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0008, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)      PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0010, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE)     PORT_CHAR('/') PORT_CHAR('?')   \
@@ -906,7 +906,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( msxuk )
 
 	PORT_START("KEY1")
 	PORT_BIT (0x0001, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)         PORT_CHAR('\'') PORT_CHAR('"')
-	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)     PORT_CHAR('\xA3') PORT_CHAR('~')
+	PORT_BIT (0x0002, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)     PORT_CHAR(0xA3) PORT_CHAR('~')
 	PORT_BIT (0x0004, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COMMA)         PORT_CHAR(',') PORT_CHAR('<')
 	PORT_BIT (0x0008, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)          PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')
 	PORT_BIT (0x0010, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SLASH)         PORT_CHAR('/') PORT_CHAR('?')
@@ -949,7 +949,7 @@ INPUT_PORTS_END
 	PORT_BIT (0x0200, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)             PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR(')')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0400, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)         PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('=')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x0800, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)        PORT_CHAR('^') PORT_CHAR('~')   \
-	PORT_BIT (0x1000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)    PORT_CHAR('\xA5') PORT_CHAR('|')\
+	PORT_BIT (0x1000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)    PORT_CHAR(0xA5) PORT_CHAR('|')\
 	PORT_BIT (0x2000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)     PORT_CHAR('@') PORT_CHAR('`')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x4000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)    PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')   \
 	PORT_BIT (0x8000, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)         PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR('+')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/mz700.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/mz700.cpp
index 76b52872d82..197543a235f 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/mz700.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/mz700.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( mz700 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, 0x04, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)         PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR('+')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, 0x08, IPT_UNUSED )
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, 0x10, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Alpha") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TAB) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F6))
-	PORT_BIT(0x20, 0x20, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("\xE2\x86\x93  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR('\xA3') // this one would be 2nd row, 3rd key after 'P'
+	PORT_BIT(0x20, 0x20, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("\xE2\x86\x93  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR(0xA3) // this one would be 2nd row, 3rd key after 'P'
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, 0x40, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Graph") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ESC) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F7))
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, 0x80, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_PGUP)          PORT_CHAR('_') // this one would be 2nd row, 4th key after 'P'
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/mz80.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/mz80.cpp
index 1d40616b6c0..bafb9d7a6c5 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/mz80.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/mz80.cpp
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( mz80k )
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_G) PORT_CHAR('G')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_J) PORT_CHAR('J')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_L) PORT_CHAR('L')
-	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE) PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE) PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("G12") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F2)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("G14") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F4)
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/nascom1.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/nascom1.cpp
index 2069cd112c4..ee39fce1512 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/nascom1.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/nascom1.cpp
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( nascom1 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON) PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR('+')
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)  PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)     PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR(')')
-	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)     PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)     PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q)     PORT_CHAR('Q') PORT_CHAR('q')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_O)     PORT_CHAR('O') PORT_CHAR('o')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/nc.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/nc.cpp
index 4a8d8a1122c..2d68d2414a9 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/nc.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/nc.cpp
@@ -922,7 +922,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(nc100)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, 0x00, IPT_UNUSED)
 
 	PORT_START("LINE3")
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)           PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q)           PORT_CHAR('q') PORT_CHAR('Q')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_W)           PORT_CHAR('w') PORT_CHAR('W')
@@ -1316,7 +1316,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(nc200)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, 0x00, IPT_UNUSED)
 
 	PORT_START("LINE3")
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)           PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q)           PORT_CHAR('q') PORT_CHAR('Q')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_W)           PORT_CHAR('w') PORT_CHAR('W')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/oric.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/oric.cpp
index 6808e9568b6..0f3b5f39c03 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/oric.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/oric.cpp
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(oric)
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)  PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('|')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED)
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED)
-	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)       PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)       PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)       PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(':')
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)           PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR('(')
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_K)           PORT_CHAR('k') PORT_CHAR('K')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/p2000t.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/p2000t.cpp
index 25f960fcd95..b63afc3ba0c 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/p2000t.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/p2000t.cpp
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START (p2000t)
 	PORT_BIT (0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6)           PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT (0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_UP)          PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(UP))
 	PORT_BIT (0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q)           PORT_CHAR('q') PORT_CHAR('Q')
-	PORT_BIT (0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT (0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)           PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT (0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5)           PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT (0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7)           PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
 	PORT_BIT (0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4)           PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('$')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/partner.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/partner.cpp
index 502a6aedc6e..b059fdd7224 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/partner.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/partner.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( partner )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7) PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/pc8001.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/pc8001.cpp
index dc3e7ffdd65..f0b54162fed 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/pc8001.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/pc8001.cpp
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( pc8001 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y)          PORT_CHAR('y') PORT_CHAR('Y')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Z)          PORT_CHAR('z') PORT_CHAR('Z')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE) PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2) PORT_CHAR('\xA5') PORT_CHAR('|')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2) PORT_CHAR(0xA5) PORT_CHAR('|')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)  PORT_CHAR(']') PORT_CHAR('}')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)     PORT_CHAR('^')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)      PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('=')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/pc8801.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/pc8801.cpp
index 990fa861155..a578864a17f 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/pc8801.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/pc8801.cpp
@@ -1991,7 +1991,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( pc8001 )
 	PORT_BIT (0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y)           PORT_CHAR('y') PORT_CHAR('Y')
 	PORT_BIT (0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Z)           PORT_CHAR('z') PORT_CHAR('Z')
 	PORT_BIT (0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)  PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
-	PORT_BIT (0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)  PORT_CHAR('\xA5') PORT_CHAR('|')
+	PORT_BIT (0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)  PORT_CHAR(0xA5) PORT_CHAR('|')
 	PORT_BIT (0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)   PORT_CHAR(']') PORT_CHAR('}')
 	PORT_BIT (0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_EQUALS)      PORT_CHAR('^')
 	PORT_BIT (0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)       PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('=')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/pcw.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/pcw.cpp
index 2d2a0cb6c62..c212605c751 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/pcw.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/pcw.cpp
@@ -1110,7 +1110,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(pcw)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)                        PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('_')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)                    PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_P)                            PORT_CHAR('p') PORT_CHAR('P')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                        PORT_CHAR('\xA7') PORT_CHAR('<')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                        PORT_CHAR(0xA7) PORT_CHAR('<')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_COLON)                        PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(':')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SLASH)                        PORT_CHAR('/') PORT_CHAR('?')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)                     PORT_CHAR('.')
@@ -1147,7 +1147,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START(pcw)
 
 	PORT_START("LINE7")     /* 0x03ff7 */
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4)                            PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('$')
-	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)                            PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)                            PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_E)                            PORT_CHAR('e') PORT_CHAR('E')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_W)                            PORT_CHAR('w') PORT_CHAR('W')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_S)                            PORT_CHAR('s') PORT_CHAR('S')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/ql.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/ql.cpp
index 652b93563dc..cb86b6267f8 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/ql.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/ql.cpp
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( ql )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("ENTER") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ENTER) PORT_CHAR(13)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(UTF8_LEFT) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_LEFT) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(LEFT))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(UTF8_UP) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_UP) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(UP))
-	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("ESC @") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ESC) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(ESC)) PORT_CHAR('\x1b') PORT_CHAR('@')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("ESC @") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ESC) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(ESC)) PORT_CHAR(0x1B) PORT_CHAR('@')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME(UTF8_RIGHT) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_RIGHT) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(RIGHT))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH) PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('|')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("SPACE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/radio86.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/radio86.cpp
index 873f6265f88..f8fbcd0e112 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/radio86.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/radio86.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ INPUT_PORTS_START( radio86 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7) PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ INPUT_PORTS_START( ms7007 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F3) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F3))
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F4) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F4))
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F5) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F5))
-	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('\xA4') PORT_CHAR('4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR(0xA4) PORT_CHAR('4')
 
 	PORT_START("LINE2")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR('[')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/samcoupe.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/samcoupe.cpp
index 065db524e5c..877a2db7912 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/samcoupe.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/samcoupe.cpp
@@ -425,12 +425,12 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( samcoupe )
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_U)          PORT_CHAR('u') PORT_CHAR('U')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y)          PORT_CHAR('y') PORT_CHAR('Y')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)  PORT_CHAR('=') PORT_CHAR('_')
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE) PORT_CHAR('"') PORT_CHAR('\xa9')
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE) PORT_CHAR('"') PORT_CHAR(0xA9)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("F0") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0_PAD) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F10))
 
 	PORT_START("keyboard_row_bf")
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ENTER) PORT_CHAR(13)
-	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_L)     PORT_CHAR('l') PORT_CHAR('L') PORT_CHAR('\xa3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_L)     PORT_CHAR('l') PORT_CHAR('L') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_K)     PORT_CHAR('k') PORT_CHAR('K')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_J)     PORT_CHAR('j') PORT_CHAR('J')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_H)     PORT_CHAR('h') PORT_CHAR('H') PORT_CHAR('^')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/sapi1.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/sapi1.cpp
index 1fff3a5b994..1cf81117f8e 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/sapi1.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/sapi1.cpp
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( sapi1 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_C) PORT_CHAR('C')
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F) PORT_CHAR('F')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_R) PORT_CHAR('R')
-	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_N) PORT_CHAR('N') PORT_CHAR(',')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_J) PORT_CHAR('J') PORT_CHAR('-')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_U) PORT_CHAR('U') PORT_CHAR(':')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/sbc6510.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/sbc6510.cpp
index 515147f8757..e17bd019112 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/sbc6510.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/sbc6510.cpp
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( sbc6510 ) // cbm keyboard
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("Home  Clr") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)     PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(HOME))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)     PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(']')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)    PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)    PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)    PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 
 	PORT_START( "X7" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("Stop Run") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/special.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/special.cpp
index 228d2c6c002..ae21548ffee 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/special.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/special.cpp
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( specimx )
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_I) PORT_CHAR('I') PORT_CHAR('i')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_P) PORT_CHAR('P') PORT_CHAR('p')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_E) PORT_CHAR('E') PORT_CHAR('e')
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_F3) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F3))
 
 	PORT_START("LINE8")
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/spectrum.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/spectrum.cpp
index e8e6c6255eb..dce710d7140 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/spectrum.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/spectrum.cpp
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ Number Keys are the only keys not having a function in BASIC Mode (hence, they o
 in EXT+Shift Mode on a real Spectrum).
 */
 
-/* TO DO: replace PORT_CHAR('\xD7') with an 'empty' PORT_CHAR. I used \xD7 (multiplication sign) just as a placeholder. There should be no
+/* TO DO: replace PORT_CHAR(0xD7) with an 'empty' PORT_CHAR. I used \xD7 (multiplication sign) just as a placeholder. There should be no
 PORT_CHAR for those functions (which have no equivalent on modern keyboards), but something is needed (to correctly have natural support for
 a few keys in SYMBOL Mode) and I found no EMPTY PORT_CHAR in MESS */
 INPUT_PORTS_START( spectrum )
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ INPUT_PORTS_START( spectrum )
 	PORT_START("LINE0") /* 0xFEFE */
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("CAPS SHIFT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_LSHIFT) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_SHIFT_1)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("z    Z    :      LN       BEEP   COPY") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Z)     PORT_CHAR('z') PORT_CHAR('Z') PORT_CHAR(':')
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("x    X    \xC2\xA3   EXP      INK    CLEAR") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_X)    PORT_CHAR('x') PORT_CHAR('X') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("x    X    \xC2\xA3   EXP      INK    CLEAR") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_X)    PORT_CHAR('x') PORT_CHAR('X') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("c    C    ?      LPRINT   PAPER  CONT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_C)     PORT_CHAR('c') PORT_CHAR('C') PORT_CHAR('?')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("v    V    /      LLIST    FLASH  CLS") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_V)      PORT_CHAR('v') PORT_CHAR('V') PORT_CHAR('/')
 
@@ -527,16 +527,16 @@ INPUT_PORTS_START( spectrum )
 
 	/* interface II uses this port for joystick */
 	PORT_START("LINE3") /* 0xF7FE */
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("1   EDIT       !    BLUE     DEF FN") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1)   PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('\xD7') PORT_CHAR('!')
-	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("2   CAPS LOCK  @    RED      FN") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)       PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('\xD7') PORT_CHAR('@')
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("3   TRUE VID   #    MAGENTA  LINE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)     PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('\xD7') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("4   INV VID    $    GREEN    OPEN#") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4)    PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xD7') PORT_CHAR('$')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("1   EDIT       !    BLUE     DEF FN") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1)   PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F1)) PORT_CHAR('!')
+	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("2   CAPS LOCK  @    RED      FN") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2)       PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F2)) PORT_CHAR('@')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("3   TRUE VID   #    MAGENTA  LINE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3)     PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F3)) PORT_CHAR('#')
+	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("4   INV VID    $    GREEN    OPEN#") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4)    PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F4)) PORT_CHAR('$')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("5   Left       %    CYAN     CLOSE#") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5)   PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(LEFT)) PORT_CHAR('%')
 
 	/* protek clashes with interface II! uses 5 = left, 6 = down, 7 = up, 8 = right, 0 = fire */
 	PORT_START("LINE4") /* 0xEFFE */
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("0   DEL        _    BLACK    FORMAT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_0)   PORT_CHAR('0') PORT_CHAR(8) PORT_CHAR('_')
-	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("9   GRAPH      )             POINT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)    PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR('\xD7') PORT_CHAR(')')
+	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("9   GRAPH      )             POINT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)    PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(F9)) PORT_CHAR(')')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("8   Right      (             CAT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_8)      PORT_CHAR('8') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(RIGHT)) PORT_CHAR('(')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("7   Up         '    WHITE    ERASE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7)    PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(UP)) PORT_CHAR('\'')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("6   Down       &    YELLOW   MOVE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6)     PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(DOWN)) PORT_CHAR('&')
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/swyft.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/swyft.cpp
index 385d8e98038..43efd78e461 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/swyft.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/swyft.cpp
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( swyft )
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_J) PORT_CHAR('j') PORT_CHAR('J')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Y) PORT_CHAR('y') PORT_CHAR('Y')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_T) PORT_CHAR('t') PORT_CHAR('T')
-	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('\xa2')
+	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR(0xA2)
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 
 	PORT_START("Y1")
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( swyft )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Return") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_ENTER) PORT_CHAR(13)
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_S) PORT_CHAR('s') PORT_CHAR('S')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR('\xbd') PORT_CHAR('\xbc') //PORT_CHAR('}') PORT_CHAR('{')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE) PORT_CHAR(0xBD) PORT_CHAR(0xBC) //PORT_CHAR('}') PORT_CHAR('{')
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_Q) PORT_CHAR('q') PORT_CHAR('Q')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('-') PORT_CHAR('_')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( swyft )
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Erase") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSPACE)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED) // totally unused
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("UNDO") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)
-	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR('\xb1') PORT_CHAR('\xb0') // PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('~')
+	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR(0xB1) PORT_CHAR(0xB0) // PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('~')
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/unior.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/unior.cpp
index cbeb12284ca..160e9d3a081 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/unior.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/unior.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( unior )
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("LF") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME) PORT_CHAR(10) // line feed?
 
 	PORT_START("X6")
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_E) PORT_CHAR('E')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_P) PORT_CHAR('P')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_I) PORT_CHAR('I') // I then hangs
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/ut88.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/ut88.cpp
index ad8ef9be646..a8bb1cb820a 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/ut88.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/ut88.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( ut88 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_1) PORT_CHAR('1') PORT_CHAR('!')
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_2) PORT_CHAR('2') PORT_CHAR('"')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_3) PORT_CHAR('3') PORT_CHAR('#')
-	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR('\xA4')
+	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_4) PORT_CHAR('4') PORT_CHAR(0xA4)
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_5) PORT_CHAR('5') PORT_CHAR('%')
 	PORT_BIT(0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_6) PORT_CHAR('6') PORT_CHAR('&')
 	PORT_BIT(0x80, IP_ACTIVE_HIGH, IPT_UNUSED)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/vic10.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/vic10.cpp
index f7ca50279dd..ea24f03b650 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/vic10.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/vic10.cpp
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( vic10 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("CLR HOME") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)      PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(HOME))
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_QUOTE)                             PORT_CHAR(';') PORT_CHAR(']')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)                        PORT_CHAR('*')
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)                        PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 
 	PORT_START( "ROW7" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("RUN STOP") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_HOME)
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/vic20.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/vic20.cpp
index a1c2d06ead2..86db0c42385 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/vic20.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/vic20.cpp
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ ADDRESS_MAP_END
 static INPUT_PORTS_START( vic20 )
 	PORT_START( "ROW0" )
 	PORT_BIT( 0x80, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_NAME("Del  Inst") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSPACE) PORT_CHAR(8) PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(INSERT))
-	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)     PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)     PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS)          PORT_CHAR('+')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_9)              PORT_CHAR('9') PORT_CHAR(')')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_7)              PORT_CHAR('7') PORT_CHAR('\'')
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( vic1001 )
 	PORT_INCLUDE( vic20 )
 
 	PORT_MODIFY( "ROW0" )
-	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR('\xA5')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x40, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD ) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_MINUS) PORT_CHAR(0xA5)
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/vtech2.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/vtech2.cpp
index 968bd2d2f20..3e6cb395935 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/vtech2.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/vtech2.cpp
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( laser500 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x20, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH2)   PORT_CHAR('\\') PORT_CHAR('|')
 	PORT_BIT(0x10, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CLOSEBRACE)   PORT_CHAR(']') PORT_CHAR('}')
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_OPENBRACE)    PORT_CHAR('[') PORT_CHAR('{')
-	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Mu  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Mu  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_TILDE) PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Del") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_DEL)             PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(DEL))
 	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Ins") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_INSERT)          PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(INSERT))
 INPUT_PORTS_END
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/z88.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/z88.cpp
index 07f616d8847..e7637b03c1f 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/z88.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/z88.cpp
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( z88 )
 	PORT_BIT(0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("Caps Lock") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_CAPSLOCK)      PORT_CHAR(UCHAR_MAMEKEY(CAPSLOCK))
 	PORT_BIT(0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP)                             PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR('>')
 	PORT_BIT(0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SLASH)                                PORT_CHAR('/') PORT_CHAR('?')
-	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)                            PORT_CHAR('\xA3') PORT_CHAR('~')
+	PORT_BIT(0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_BACKSLASH)                            PORT_CHAR(0xA3) PORT_CHAR('~')
 INPUT_PORTS_END
 
 static INPUT_PORTS_START( z88de )
diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/zx.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/zx.cpp
index bbebb00fdde..b68e33bdb3d 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/zx.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/zx.cpp
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ these functions in Input (This System) menu, hence we live some empty space in t
 	PORT_BIT( 0xe0, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED )
 
 	PORT_START("ROW7")
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("SPACE  \xC2\xA3  BREAK") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("SPACE  \xC2\xA3  BREAK") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME(".  ,") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP) PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR(',')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("M  >") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_M) PORT_CHAR('M') PORT_CHAR('>')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("N  <  NEXT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_N) PORT_CHAR('N') PORT_CHAR('<')
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ static INPUT_PORTS_START( pc8300 )
 	PORT_BIT( 0xe0, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_UNUSED )
 
 	PORT_START("ROW7")
-	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("SPACE  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR('\xA3')
+	PORT_BIT( 0x01, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("SPACE  \xC2\xA3") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_SPACE) PORT_CHAR(' ') PORT_CHAR(0xA3)
 	PORT_BIT( 0x02, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME(".  ,") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_STOP) PORT_CHAR('.') PORT_CHAR(',')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x04, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("M  >  PAUSE") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_M) PORT_CHAR('M') PORT_CHAR('>')
 	PORT_BIT( 0x08, IP_ACTIVE_LOW, IPT_KEYBOARD) PORT_NAME("N  <  NEXT") PORT_CODE(KEYCODE_N) PORT_CHAR('N') PORT_CHAR('<')