Unable to boot

[Guest]

I am running Windows XP. When i turn on the computer it gets to a screen
where it lists the devices and then says 'verifying dmi pool data. cd to
boot...' the cursor is flashing but the keyboard doesn't respond.

If i press the reset button the computer generally boots up fine (though
sometimes it doesn't!).

Is there anything i can do. I tried putting the windows disk in the dvd
drive but it doesn't auto load. am i going to have to get a start up disk
from somewhere? should i enter in safemode (f8?) and the computer will fix
itself? i hope i don't have to load a missing system file

any thoughts would be MUCH appreciated.

 

[johnf]

If you changed the hardware just before this problem occurred (e.g.,
installed a new hard disk drive), unchange it.

If you installed a new hard disk drive, set the motherboard CMOS Setup to
Auto for the drive type. You may have to disconnect the drive first.

Enable "Reset Configuration Data" (may be "Force Update ESCD" in some CMOS
Setuups) in the motherboard CMOS Setup PNP/PCI configuration. (Rebooting
will automatically disabled it after it has done its thing.)

The CMOS may be corrupted. Clear it.

Disconnect all drives not required to boot the computer. If this fixes it,
reconnect one at time.

The floppy drive may be bad or not connected properly.

Reseat all expansion boards.

Pull all boards not required to boot the computer.

If all that fails, do a Google search for verifying dmi pool data as
I did.

 

[peterk]

It seems to me that you need to enter the BIOS and enable USB support for
your USB keyboard.
That way the keyboard will work.If you have a non USB keyboard lying around
try that.
peterk