I have never been able to open console using tilde "~" since...... Been using USB keyboards couple of years now. Tried pluging in a PS/2 keyboard today and voila, I got console. It has to be a keyboard with PS/2 plug. USB keyboard with PS/2 adapter doesnt work (didnt work for me). I had same problem with Oblivion and Fallout 3. Obviously cos I used USB keyboard with extra buttons.