I hit T to type and nothing comes up, it just switches between other preset hotkeys.

If I hit T then click it just gives me a black movable dot.

Help? Please?

When you hit T, does it select the Text Tool?
If it does then just click and drag it and it'll become a box
Also even if you make a dot, you can still type stuff

either select the type tool manually (on the left menu the 'T' icon)
or go to Edit > Keyboard shortcuts and select 'Tools' next to 'Shortcuts for'. Find the 'Horizontal Type Tool' and make sure T is set as shortcut for it