Keyboard Still Won't Work on Startup

[KIR]

Re: keyboard Won't Work on Startup, posted on 1/13/08.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the keyboard driver but the problem continues.
The only way I can get it to work is to do an error-check (disk check) after
a hard shutdown. I really don't want to have to resort to using a USB
keyboard as all my USB ports are already in use. My machine is about 7 years
old but has never given me any trouble until now. Any thoughts at this
point? Please read 1/13 post for important details. Thanks.

Ken

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Boot to the Recovery Console, and run the command :
CHKDSK /R
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

 

[philo]

Re: keyboard Won't Work on Startup, posted on 1/13/08.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the keyboard driver but the problem continues.
The only way I can get it to work is to do an error-check (disk check) after
a hard shutdown. I really don't want to have to resort to using a USB
keyboard as all my USB ports are already in use. My machine is about 7 years
old but has never given me any trouble until now. Any thoughts at this
point? Please read 1/13 post for important details. Thanks.

Ken

I had already given you an answer in that the ps/2 port appeared to be bad.

Sometimes that happens due to an internal short...and one can use *either* a
ps/2 keyboard *or* a ps/2 mouse...
but not both.

If that is what happened...then the only way you can get away from using an
add'l USB device...
would be to use a serial mouse. (And this of course assumes, that removing
the ps/2 mouse allows your KB to work)

A cheapie USB hub could be added otherwise

 

[KIR]

Please be more specific. The term recovery console is new to me. I read the
description you referred me to and it appears that I'll have to install the
console first. When you say boot to the recovery console how do I do that?
Also, assuming I do that correctly and run CHKDSK /R, what do I do after
that? Thanks.

Boot to the Recovery Console, and run the command :
CHKDSK /R
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314058

 

[KIR]

I understand that you think my keyboard port is shorted out. But I don't
understand the rest - what is a PS/2 keyboard or mouse? I have the old kind
of keyboard and the mouse connects to a different port. I don't know the
names of these connectors. How do I know if it is shorted out? If it is why
does it start working again after I do a disk scan? Also, I think I'm
already using a serial port for my mouse and keyboard.

 

[philo]

I understand that you think my keyboard port is shorted out. But I don't
understand the rest - what is a PS/2 keyboard or mouse? I have the old kind
of keyboard and the mouse connects to a different port. I don't know the
names of these connectors. How do I know if it is shorted out? If it is why
does it start working again after I do a disk scan? Also, I think I'm
already using a serial port for my mouse and keyboard.

No, there is no such thing as a serial keyboard.

If your mouse port and keyboard port are round and look exactly alike they
are ps/2

see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_connector

I do *a lot* of computer repair and occasionally I will get a machine with a
keyboard error or mouse error...
and "solve" the problem by using only *one* ps/2 device and using USB for
the other

just for information this is what a serial port looks like

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_port

There is no way that you could possibly have a serial port keyboard...
but it is possible to use a serial mouse...though they are generally
considered obsolete

 

[KIR]

Thanks. I can now confirm that my mouse and keyboard are both PS/2 devices.
I'll try a USB keyboard.

 

[philo]

Thanks. I can now confirm that my mouse and keyboard are both PS/2 devices.
I'll try a USB keyboard.

If that does the trick you can always add more USB ports by just purchaing a
USB hub
or adding a PCI usb2 card


Please post back with your results

 

[KIR]

I bought an inexpensive USB keyboard ($18) and it is working properly.
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Ken

 

[philo]

I bought an inexpensive USB keyboard ($18) and it is working properly.
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Ken

Good, thanks for posting back.

Hope it stays working!


Though $18 for a keyboard isn't exactly cheap...I guess it's better than
replacing the motherboard.

 

[KIR]

I agree. But it included a fancy Logitech mouse and besides, no one in my
town was selling one for less. My machine is about 7 years old and I'll
probably get a new one later this year. I would have upgraded now if I
couldn't fix the problem by changing the keyboard. All-in-all I'm satisfied
for now and it will keep me going until I spend the big bucks for a new
machine. Thanks again.

Ken

 

[philo]

I agree. But it included a fancy Logitech mouse and besides, no one in my
town was selling one for less. My machine is about 7 years old and I'll
probably get a new one later this year. I would have upgraded now if I
couldn't fix the problem by changing the keyboard. All-in-all I'm satisfied
for now and it will keep me going until I spend the big bucks for a new
machine. Thanks again.

Ken

You are quite welcome.

That $18 keyboard reminds me of a time many years ago when I told a freind
of mine I could sell him a computer cheaply.
I'd pass it along to him at exactly my cost.

When cam to pick it up I told him: Good news, bad news.

The computer and monitor and keyboard $5

The mouse $6


I was able to scrounge up just about averything for next to nothing...
but had no choice but to purchase a new mouse ! <G>

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

That $18 keyboard reminds me of a time many years ago when I told a freind
of mine I could sell him a computer cheaply.
I'd pass it along to him at exactly my cost.

When cam to pick it up I told him: Good news, bad news.

The computer and monitor and keyboard $5

The mouse $6

Got any more of those $11 computers for sale? ;-)

 

[philo]

Got any more of those $11 computers for sale? ;-)

The funny thing is the answer is "Yes".

I do volunteer work for a Non-profit organization...
and as an authorized Microsoft refurbisher...we pay just $5 a piece for a
Win2k license...
since the computers are donated...we sell them to members and other
qualified people for just $10 each.

The machines are typically p-II's or P-III's so that's a great deal.


BTW: the one mentioned in my previous post was a real nice IBM ps/2 486-33
with 32megs of RAM.

Since the machine was SCSI it really had great performance and ran win95
very well...
and even win98 ran acceptably. It ran about as well as a "typical" P1 .
That machine must have cost a small fortune when new. They just don't build
them like that anymore.

Still have one that I saved for myself. I recently even came across an MCI
eithernet card and put it in...
just for the heck of it. After I made sure it was working...I put it back up
in the attic <G>