Weird Keyboard Issue

[Tim]

Hi all,

I have a weird problem with a HP 9010x laptop.

To start at the beginning:

The computer is configured with an administrator account, and a guest
account. The person who was using it does not recall when the issue
started, or what happened at the time.

On boot up, the welcome screen was displayed, but the administrator name was
dimmed, so I could not login as admin. The keyboard would not work at this
screen. It just beeped whenever I pressed it. The cursor in the text box
was very thick.

The guest user has a blank password, so I was able to log in as guest.
Keyboard worked fine. From there, I went to log-off, and it gave me the
option to switch users. I did this, and then I logged in as admin with no
problem - and keyboard worked fine. From there, I checked to make sure that
the User settings were ok - everything appeared to be ok.

I rebooted, and the exact same scenario occurred - however, this time I was
unable to switch user.

Essentially, I was locked out from the admin account - not a password issue,
but I could not type anything. Pressing ctrl-alt-del to get the regular
password dialogue box did not help either. Each effort to type resulted in
beeps. (NB keyboard worked fine in guest account)


I was getting a little annoyed, so I just went to resinstall XP.

Booted from the CD, and chose to install, and then repair an existing
installation. All goes fine with the mouse until I have to type in the
serial code. Once again, all I get is a fat-cursor, and beeps whenever I
press the keys.

So as it stands, I'm stuck with the windows XP installation screen unable to
type in my serial number! (each reboot returns to that screen)

I played with the BIOS to see if anything obvious was there - nothing - and
the keyb works fine in the bios. As the keyboard worked in a guest account,
and in the bios, I'm ruling out a hardware issue

I tried an external keyboard, but again, just beeps.

I've tried booting in safe mode - no success.

I've pressed every key combination I can think off, just in case it is some
obscure keyboard lock.

HP's site, and Google are not giving any results either.

I could try re-installing the whole OS and all the Apps rather than a
repair, but I don't know if it will work.

Does anybody have any bright ideas?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[SlowJet]

Is it a USB keyboard?

Is the bios setting "Assign USB an IRQ" on? Set it to on.

Is onboard USB set to on or USB keyboard on (in bios)?

USB keyboards have a dead spot at the critual startup screens. I'm not sure
how long into the startup process this would last depending on these
settings.

I have found it best to laet the BIOS do all the IRQ assignments for boot up
devices (ESDS bios setting.)


Note 1:
Try using a PS12 keyboard to get thruogh a startup and set the bios as
needed.

You will need a reg Ps12 keyboard whenever installing or reinstalling.

Note 2: The user and guest are really defined as "The main user with an
Admin group account" and "Guest user which is a default Guest account" but
the main Admin User account does have a password. It is the password that
was typed in when the initalinstall was done, but before the "Main User name
was set up".

So you have another User account (the Admin Account with password) to word
with.

GL ,
SJ

 

[Tim]

Ar an 21/09/2004 21:51, scríobh SlowJet:

Is it a USB keyboard?

Is the bios setting "Assign USB an IRQ" on? Set it to on.

Is onboard USB set to on or USB keyboard on (in bios)?

USB keyboards have a dead spot at the critual startup screens. I'm not sure
how long into the startup process this would last depending on these
settings.

It's a a laptop - so presumably some internal PS2 type interface. I have
also tried connecting an external PS2, and USB keyboard, but both give the
same results.

Tim



.... etc
<snip>

 

[SlowJet]

Sorry, I didn't see the word laptop.

I don't know.

I don't know how a laptop keyboard is actually connected, but you said it
works sometimes so it must be connected.
My only other thoht is a dirty or stucy key(s).
Get out the air, Q-Tips and 99%.

SJ

 

[Tim]

Ar an 22/09/2004 01:04, scríobh SlowJet:

Sorry, I didn't see the word laptop.

I don't know.

I don't know how a laptop keyboard is actually connected, but you said it
works sometimes so it must be connected.
My only other thoht is a dirty or stucy key(s).
Get out the air, Q-Tips and 99%.

Tried that too!

It's definitely a software issue - it only locks up when I try to do
anything as admin. (or try to change to admin)

An obvious sign that something is up, is that the regular text input cursor
is very thick (about 10 pixels wide rather that just one)

(note that it's like this too when I boot up from the XP CD to install - so
there are no background applications running.)

Tim