USB Keyboards don't work, other things do

[daveyjwin]

So, I'm posting this for my brother because I am at a loss as to the problem. He turned the computer on in the AM, and his Keyboard didn't work. Couldn't input anything anywhere, no lights came on, nothing. He tried different USB slots, nothing. He tried the slot the mouse was in (which was working), and still nothing. So, I suggested he run to Walmart and get a cheapo keyboard, and see if that worked. Plugged it in, nothing. Tried various other slots that were working, still nothing. About the only other thing I could think of would be to get a USB to PS/2 connector and try that, but I don't even know where he would find one. I don't have all the spec for his computer, but I know it runs XP, and hasn't had many other issues otherwise, no new hardware or software recently, and nothing unusual happened prior to this issue.

Anyway, any suggestions as to what might be causing his problem, or how to fix it?

 

[keenan]

Hmm, I have had experiences where Windows was installed (or the image created) on slightly different hardware, and then upon final install the New Hardware wizard comes up for some component (usually something other than the mouse/kb) and blocks install of the mouse/kb drivers required. It's a catch 22 - you can't input anything to complete the driver install or skip it.

Other than that I can't think of anything. Does the keyboard work in the BIOS?

 

[daveyjwin]

Nothing... it doesn't matter which USB port he puts either keyboard in, no lights come on, no inputs go in, even during startup/BIOS and whatnot... in fact, he can't even get into the BIOS, since he can't use the keyboard.

 

[hotdun]

Get a PS2 keyboard and try it out, it should work. At that point check the Device Manager in Windows to see if there's anything funky going on.

 

[muzzle79]

pull the cmos.. reseat (make sure to unplug first. )

pull the ram and reseat, grab a new kb (ps2) plug it in and test.



Did he spill something on the original kb.?