keyboard lock up

[Guest]

In the past few months, I've ben having trouble with my keyboard (amongst
other things). I'll be using my computer and there will be a system beep and
the keyboard will stop working.

This happened for the first time a few months ago. It was the first of many
problems that ended up in me having to do some serious cleanup on my
computer, reinstalling drives and removing corrupted programs.

Since the cleanup, last month, the computer has been acting relatively
normally, though I'm still finding little things that need to be fixed (bad
drivers, lost hardware). I don't know if these problems are residual from
the cleanup or if they're new. For the first time since the cleanup, my
keyboard locked up again today. I'm hoping I'm not on another downward
spiral trend.

I have several anti-virus, anti-malware programs that run on a regular
basis. I don't use file sharing networks or anything like that, so other
than a few cookies, my computer scan always come off clean.

My question is, what is the likelyhood that this error (and my disappearing
drivers, corrupted programs and links, problems with the printer) are a
software problem? I'm starting to think that it might be a problem with my
hardware. Is there some way to do a hardware diganostics assuming the
hardware works for 99% of what I need to do?

I'm running Windows XP on a 4.5 year old Dell desktop. My keyboard is a
very basic keyboard (that plugs into a keyboard slot) that came with my
computer.

Any suggestions are always appreciated!

 

[Guest]

First thing to do: check the keyboard on other computer.
Use device manager and system information to check status of your hardware.

 

[Malke]

In the past few months, I've ben having trouble with my keyboard
(amongst
other things). I'll be using my computer and there will be a system
beep and the keyboard will stop working.

This happened for the first time a few months ago. It was the first
of many problems that ended up in me having to do some serious cleanup
on my computer, reinstalling drives and removing corrupted programs.

Since the cleanup, last month, the computer has been acting relatively
normally, though I'm still finding little things that need to be fixed
(bad
drivers, lost hardware). I don't know if these problems are residual
from
the cleanup or if they're new. For the first time since the cleanup,
my
keyboard locked up again today. I'm hoping I'm not on another
downward spiral trend.

I have several anti-virus, anti-malware programs that run on a regular
basis. I don't use file sharing networks or anything like that, so
other than a few cookies, my computer scan always come off clean.

My question is, what is the likelyhood that this error (and my
disappearing drivers, corrupted programs and links, problems with the
printer) are a
software problem? I'm starting to think that it might be a problem
with my
hardware. Is there some way to do a hardware diganostics assuming the
hardware works for 99% of what I need to do?

I'm running Windows XP on a 4.5 year old Dell desktop. My keyboard is
a very basic keyboard (that plugs into a keyboard slot) that came with
my computer.

It doesn't sound like software to me. I would definitely do some
hardware troubleshooting. Here are some general steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA).

Malke

 

[Elmo]

In the past few months, I've ben having trouble with my keyboard (amongst
other things). I'll be using my computer and there will be a system beep and
the keyboard will stop working.

This happened for the first time a few months ago. It was the first of many
problems that ended up in me having to do some serious cleanup on my
computer, reinstalling drives and removing corrupted programs.

Since the cleanup, last month, the computer has been acting relatively
normally, though I'm still finding little things that need to be fixed (bad
drivers, lost hardware). I don't know if these problems are residual from
the cleanup or if they're new. For the first time since the cleanup, my
keyboard locked up again today. I'm hoping I'm not on another downward
spiral trend.

I have several anti-virus, anti-malware programs that run on a regular
basis. I don't use file sharing networks or anything like that, so other
than a few cookies, my computer scan always come off clean.

My question is, what is the likelyhood that this error (and my disappearing
drivers, corrupted programs and links, problems with the printer) are a
software problem? I'm starting to think that it might be a problem with my
hardware. Is there some way to do a hardware diganostics assuming the
hardware works for 99% of what I need to do?

I'm running Windows XP on a 4.5 year old Dell desktop. My keyboard is a
very basic keyboard (that plugs into a keyboard slot) that came with my
computer.

Any suggestions are always appreciated!

The BIOS beep suggests to me that the keyboard or motherboard is
failing. I guess you've unplugged, then plugged in the kb? That would
clean the pins and should make the connection better/more dependable.
Try a different kb, borrow one from a friend or neighbor.