WinXP Pro will not load up

[Joanne]

Winxp Pro on a Dell Dimension
When I turn the computer on it loads only until the WinXP Logo screen
comes up, then the monitor goes dark greyish and just sits there.
I tried to boot to safe mode, but the computer then complains of
keyboard failure, although I don't get the warning beep in POST to tell
me of the failure.
So, without the keyboard, I cannot choose the Safe Mode, or Last Known
working configuration choices to try and get this thing to load up.
Am I dealing with a failing hard drive here, causing the inability to
load up the OS? I got the blue screen of death once, but it has not
reappeared. I tried booting to the WinXP install disc by booting with it
in the cd drive and using the spacebar to get to it, but that fails also
I suppose because of the keyboard. Tried another keyboard, it fails
also.
Don't have enough knowledge to even figure out what to try next.
Any light you can shed on this problem will be very appreciated.
Thank you
Joanne

Sorry if I am in the wrong group - I am kinda thinking I have hardware
problems. If not, please advise me where to post such a problem as this.
Thanks

 

[Rich Barry]

Joanne, are you using a USB or PS/2 Connector for the Keyboard??
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/usb1.htm USB

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/keyboard5.htm PS/2

You can get an adaptor that will convert USB to PS/2 and vice versa.