I own a Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP on it. It appears I have
corrupted files for both my keyboard and mouse. When I start the PC,
it tells me so...and I have no way to access the PC (at all). Windows
boots up fine and I can see my desktop (as well as the message. I
can't boot into safe mode because the keyboard is not available to do
so.

I have tried several shutdowns and bootups (with various mice and
keyboards). Still, no go. The PC refuses to download the necessary
software (automatically). I brought my PC to MicroCenter today. They
told me they would need to reformat the entire hard drive (deleting all
my files), however knowing how quickly these "PC experts" jump to the
last resort, I decided otherwise.

I have decided (after almost 4 years), it's time for a new PC.
However, when the new PC arrives, I would like to transfer files from
the old to the new (I have backups on much of this, but not enough).
My question is: how do I backup data from a PC (which cannot be
accessed via mouse or keyboard)? I have used software (i.e., laplink)
in the past, however, it always involved creating the connection at
both ends (new and old PC). Sort of a push-pull. However, my
situation will be purely extracting data without the benefit of the
"nudge".

Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The easiest way will be to temporarily install the hard drive from the
Dimension PC into the new PC as a slave drive and copy the files you want
from it.

However is this a USB or PS/2 keyboard and/or mouse? Wired or wireless?
--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows



<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I own a Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP on it. It appears I have
> corrupted files for both my keyboard and mouse. When I start the PC,
> it tells me so...and I have no way to access the PC (at all). Windows
> boots up fine and I can see my desktop (as well as the message. I
> can't boot into safe mode because the keyboard is not available to do
> so.
>
> I have tried several shutdowns and bootups (with various mice and
> keyboards). Still, no go. The PC refuses to download the necessary
> software (automatically). I brought my PC to MicroCenter today. They
> told me they would need to reformat the entire hard drive (deleting all
> my files), however knowing how quickly these "PC experts" jump to the
> last resort, I decided otherwise.
>
> I have decided (after almost 4 years), it's time for a new PC.
> However, when the new PC arrives, I would like to transfer files from
> the old to the new (I have backups on much of this, but not enough).
> My question is: how do I backup data from a PC (which cannot be
> accessed via mouse or keyboard)? I have used software (i.e., laplink)
> in the past, however, it always involved creating the connection at
> both ends (new and old PC). Sort of a push-pull. However, my
> situation will be purely extracting data without the benefit of the
> "nudge".
>
> Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
>

a. Connect an external keyboard ( USB or PS/2 & reboot )
b. Connect to the old computer thru network (remote desktop connection
or just to a share).

"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:
> I own a Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP on it. It appears I have
> corrupted files for both my keyboard and mouse. When I start the PC,
> it tells me so...and I have no way to access the PC (at all). Windows
> boots up fine and I can see my desktop (as well as the message. I
> can't boot into safe mode because the keyboard is not available to do
> so.
>
> I have tried several shutdowns and bootups (with various mice and
> keyboards). Still, no go. The PC refuses to download the necessary
> software (automatically). I brought my PC to MicroCenter today. They
> told me they would need to reformat the entire hard drive (deleting all
> my files), however knowing how quickly these "PC experts" jump to the
> last resort, I decided otherwise.
>
> I have decided (after almost 4 years), it's time for a new PC.
> However, when the new PC arrives, I would like to transfer files from
> the old to the new (I have backups on much of this, but not enough).
> My question is: how do I backup data from a PC (which cannot be
> accessed via mouse or keyboard)? I have used software (i.e., laplink)
> in the past, however, it always involved creating the connection at
> both ends (new and old PC). Sort of a push-pull. However, my
> situation will be purely extracting data without the benefit of the
> "nudge".
>
> Any assistance here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
>
>

Thanks for replying, Cari. The problem originated with my Dell
Wireless (Logitech software) Keyboard/Mouse dying yesterday. I
purchased an MS Wireless Optical Desktop Pro to replace it. Had
problems with the MS software (it conflicted with the Logitech
software). I could not remove the Logitech software from my PC (I did
all the right things). I was using a PS/2 keyboard/mouse as temporary
help while I tried to work through this. Finally, I might have
(through a bit of frustration) caused my own problem (trial and error
gone terribly wrong).

I like the idea of the temporary install. This makes sense.

Thanks, again.

Thanks for the reply, Pavel. However, I've tried using an external
keyboard (both USB and PS/2)...and rebooted. No luck. I receive a
message concerning corrupted files.

If I connect the old computer thru a network, I would have to give
permissions through the old computer (which I can't do). This is where
my problem lies.

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the reply, Pavel. However, I've tried using an external
> keyboard (both USB and PS/2)...and rebooted. No luck. I receive a
> message concerning corrupted files.
>
> If I connect the old computer thru a network, I would have to give
> permissions through the old computer (which I can't do). This is where
> my problem lies.

Hopefully you know the admin password of the old computer...
then just connect to it's C$

--PA