BBB
Regarding your problems they all depend on the OS you are using so I have answered for the most common OS at the moment, still Win 7, though these solutions will work on most operating systems, if they don't work let me know and what OS you are using:
1. It sounds as if you may have the keyboard set up incorrectly, if you go to "Control Panel" then to "Region and Language" select "Keyboard and Languages" tab "Change Keyboards" and select "English UK" if you are using an American laptop with no option for a £ symbol, using this method should put the £ symbol onto SHIFT 3. (NOTE: if it is an American keyboard which is unlikely, if you purchased it in the UK, this may move other keys around) While Luke's method will work, you will have to do it every time you wish to use the £ symbol, my method should change it permanently
2. I assume you want to view an existing script against something you are writing, there are a few methods to do this, but are dependant on exactly what you are trying to achieve and which programmes you are using (some will give you the opportunity to compare scripts, others are a bit more messy). If you can pm me with what you are trying to do and which programme you are using to do your edit and I will try and help further.
3. Again an assumption on my part, if you are asking about a free Word Processor probably the best "free" package would have to be Open Office at the moment, which pretty much shadows the entire Microsoft Office suite, containing similar programmes to ALL of the Microsoft Office suite. You can also download filters for it to enable you to make it interactive with the Office suite. It is totally free and is developed by the open source network. Has it now has over 100 million downloads they must be doing something right. If I have assumed incorrectly I need some more details

. You will find Open Office here
www.openoffice.org/
If you have any questions about any of this feel free to pm me.