Keyboard Mystery

[Blake Kaos]

I have an IBM laptop running XP Pro, where the keyboard does not seem to
work (in regular windows mode) - no key works at all.

However, when I go to Device Manager, the keyboard does not report any
errors; when I run PC-Doctor (which is a part of the supplied IBM
diagnostics) it reports no errors and indeed the keyboard works just fine
for navigation and option selection. In fact, when the laptop boots up, it
requires a log-in password and the keyboard works perfectly to enter the
password. This leads me to think that keyboard per se is not defective.

Once it has booted however, the keyboard becomes totally non-responsive.

What could be wrong and how could this be fixed?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have an IBM laptop running XP Pro, where the keyboard does not seem to
work (in regular windows mode) - no key works at all.

However, when I go to Device Manager, the keyboard does not report any
errors; when I run PC-Doctor (which is a part of the supplied IBM
diagnostics) it reports no errors and indeed the keyboard works just fine
for navigation and option selection. In fact, when the laptop boots up, it
requires a log-in password and the keyboard works perfectly to enter the
password. This leads me to think that keyboard per se is not defective.

Once it has booted however, the keyboard becomes totally non-responsive.

What could be wrong and how could this be fixed?

The first step in such cases is always to try a different keyboard,
preferably using a different keyboard port (USB vs. PS/2).

 

[Ian D]

I have an IBM laptop running XP Pro, where the keyboard does not seem to
work (in regular windows mode) - no key works at all.

However, when I go to Device Manager, the keyboard does not report any
errors; when I run PC-Doctor (which is a part of the supplied IBM
diagnostics) it reports no errors and indeed the keyboard works just fine
for navigation and option selection. In fact, when the laptop boots up, it
requires a log-in password and the keyboard works perfectly to enter the
password. This leads me to think that keyboard per se is not defective.

Once it has booted however, the keyboard becomes totally non-responsive.

What could be wrong and how could this be fixed?

It looks like the laptop keyboard is working until you log in as a user.
Can you log in as a different user to see what happens? Maybe your
laptop has the facility to lock the keyboard on a per user profile basis.

 

[Lem]

I have an IBM laptop running XP Pro, where the keyboard does not seem to
work (in regular windows mode) - no key works at all.

However, when I go to Device Manager, the keyboard does not report any
errors; when I run PC-Doctor (which is a part of the supplied IBM
diagnostics) it reports no errors and indeed the keyboard works just
fine for navigation and option selection. In fact, when the laptop boots
up, it requires a log-in password and the keyboard works perfectly to
enter the password. This leads me to think that keyboard per se is not
defective.

Once it has booted however, the keyboard becomes totally non-responsive.

What could be wrong and how could this be fixed?

Try the suggestions here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-4YQKLQ

Or contact Lenovo support or post in the appropriate Lenovo forum (link
on page above)

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Blake Kaos]

Thanks folks for your suggestions. Unfortunately I cannot lay my hands on a
PS2 or USB keyboard right now, but will rummage through the garage tomorrow
to find one and see whether the laptop works.

Ian, your tip about trying another user was PERFECT. I created another user
account and logged in with that, and the same keyboard worked normally - no
problem at all.

The question is why does the administrator log in render the keyboard
impotent, whereas when logged in as another user, there is no problem with
the same hardware? What 'adjustment' do I need to make with Windows to cure
this disease?

Any ideas, anybody? Thanks so much.

PS. Lem, I did go through the Lenovo/IBM site before I posted here.
Unfortunately it did not help me solve my problem. However, I had concluded
earlier that it could not be a hardware issue, since the keyboard allowed me
to enter the password for the Windows login, i.e. it was working fine.

 

[Elmo]

Thanks folks for your suggestions. Unfortunately I cannot lay my hands
on a PS2 or USB keyboard right now, but will rummage through the garage
tomorrow to find one and see whether the laptop works.

Ian, your tip about trying another user was PERFECT. I created another
user account and logged in with that, and the same keyboard worked
normally - no problem at all.

The question is why does the administrator log in render the keyboard
impotent, whereas when logged in as another user, there is no problem
with the same hardware? What 'adjustment' do I need to make with Windows
to cure this disease?

Any ideas, anybody? Thanks so much.

PS. Lem, I did go through the Lenovo/IBM site before I posted here.
Unfortunately it did not help me solve my problem. However, I had
concluded earlier that it could not be a hardware issue, since the
keyboard allowed me to enter the password for the Windows login, i.e. it
was working fine.

Here's something to try:

Open Device Manager, remove the keyboard and let Windows find and
reinstall it upon reboot.

 

[Ian D]

You mentioned the administrator login. Are you using XP Pro and it's
THE Administrator, or is it just an administrator account? If it's a
regular administrator account you can create a new admin account and
transfer your settings, etc. From what you said, it appears that the
keyboard
navigation keys work, so it has to be a setting within that user profile.

As Joe (Elmo) suggested, you could try removing the keyboard from
Device Manager for the defective login, and reboot to that user.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Thanks folks for your suggestions. Unfortunately I cannot lay my hands on
a PS2 or USB keyboard right now, but will rummage through the garage
tomorrow to find one and see whether the laptop works.

Ian, your tip about trying another user was PERFECT. I created another
user account and logged in with that, and the same keyboard worked
normally - no problem at all.

The question is why does the administrator log in render the keyboard
impotent, whereas when logged in as another user, there is no problem with
the same hardware? What 'adjustment' do I need to make with Windows to
cure this disease?

Any ideas, anybody? Thanks so much.

PS. Lem, I did go through the Lenovo/IBM site before I posted here.
Unfortunately it did not help me solve my problem. However, I had
concluded earlier that it could not be a hardware issue, since the
keyboard allowed me to enter the password for the Windows login, i.e. it
was working fine.

If you can use the keyboard normally under a different user account then it
is extremely unlikely that the problem is caused by a hardware or driver
problem. You either have a corrupted profile or else your profile is
afflicted with some malware or a virus. I would create a new account, then
transfer all the files and settings across from the damaged profile.

 

[Unknown]

That's hard to do on a LAPTOP.

The first step in such cases is always to try a different keyboard,
preferably using a different keyboard port (USB vs. PS/2).

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

That's hard to do on a LAPTOP.

Really? Each and every laptop I have seen had either a PS/2 port or several
USB ports, or both. What laptop do you have that does not have a USB port?

 

[Unknown]

Not the point. What Laptop owner has a loose keyboard lying around?

 

[Blake Kaos]

If you can use the keyboard normally under a different user account then
it is extremely unlikely that the problem is caused by a hardware or
driver problem. You either have a corrupted profile or else your profile
is afflicted with some malware or a virus. I would create a new account,
then transfer all the files and settings across from the damaged profile.

Is there perhaps an easy way to transfer files and settings across users in
XP Pro?

Thanks

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Not the point. What Laptop owner has a loose keyboard lying around?

When trouble-shooting one looks at various options in order to eliminate
potential causes and homing in on the real cause. If you have a keyboard
problem and if you argue "Well, I don't have a spare keyboard lying about,
hence the problem will have to be caused by something else" then you may not
get very far in your search. Note also that there is an abundance of PCs
around. Most people would have a friend or a neighbour who could lend them a
keyboard for an hour. You need to be a little resourceful when tracking down
a problem!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Is there perhaps an easy way to transfer files and settings across users
in XP Pro?

Thanks

It depends on what files and settings you're after - you need to be a little
more specific!

 

[Unknown]

Yes, but intelligent resourcefulness. Since OP can boot up, don't you think
it more appropriate to look for some
program or other that is blocking keyboard interrupts?

 

[Twayne]

When trouble-shooting one looks at various options in order to
eliminate potential causes and homing in on the real cause. If you
have a keyboard problem and if you argue "Well, I don't have a spare
keyboard lying about, hence the problem will have to be caused by
something else" then you may not get very far in your search. Note
also that there is an abundance of PCs around. Most people would have
a friend or a neighbour who could lend them a keyboard for an hour.
You need to be a little resourceful when tracking down a problem!

Resourcefulness is not one of unknown's strong points. About all it's
really good at is trying to get in the last word. It's like feeding a
troll sometimes.

 

[Unknown]

I think you both need to define the word resourceful.
Let's suppose the OP lives on a farm far from neighbors etc.
Let's accept the OP's comments made on his system. IE the keyboard works
till fully booted up.
Why wouldn't you look for something blocking keyboard interrupts for example
instead of
looking for another keyboard? Resourceful indeed.
If your car doesn't start but cranks over well do you try another battery?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I think you both need to define the word resourceful.
Let's suppose the OP lives on a farm far from neighbors etc.
Let's accept the OP's comments made on his system. IE the keyboard works
till fully booted up.
Why wouldn't you look for something blocking keyboard interrupts for
example instead of
looking for another keyboard? Resourceful indeed.
If your car doesn't start but cranks over well do you try another battery?

It's not Interrupts "instead of" Keyboard. You should plan your
trouble-shooting effort according to the facilities you have available. If
you have easy access to a spare keyboard, make this your first test. If you
don't, check the other things first but keep in mind that you haven't tested
the keyboard.

 

[Unknown]

Exactly! However your first response was 'try a new keyboard'.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Exactly! However your first response was 'try a new keyboard'.

Yes - because the majority of PC users do not "live on a farm far from
neighbors", as you put it.

Somehow I get the impression that you take pleasure in nit-picking other
people's replies. Your first objection to my initial reply was "That's hard
to do on a LAPTOP." When you realised that the laptop/desktop issue was
totally irrelevant, you changed direction and dreamed up the remote farm
scenario. It would be great to see a positive, useful and original
contribution from you, one that demonstrates the resourcefulness which you
claim you have.