yrag....here's one for ya.....

from WinCustomize Forums

Last night....I had to reboot....[it happens]...

When I did my keyboard failed to be 'seen' in windows....aka...I couldn't type in my logon pass.  [there was no 'flash' of KB lights, though the numlock light was on].

If I then tried the caps lock or similar...it'd cycle once or twice then fail to respond....[mouse worked, though].

KB was fine in boot/bios...only stopping in 'Doze.

It gets stranger....

Tried another KB...also PS2...also no luck.

I have two HDs...same OS...both in caddies...other is simply 'older'...did a swap....and here I am...obviously working.

Did I mention 'stranger'?

Tried a re-install of XP via the CD....that was fun....till it asked for the CD Key....yes, you guessed....

I did a Drive-image restore that was about 2 days old....overwriting the original 'C'....and rebooted.

Nope...same thing.

I have another Image...about a week older...maybe worth a try....next 'option', perhaps.

Only theory I have is either it's a low-level bootsector virus halting keystrokes [bit far-fetched] or it's a physically damaged HD 'sector' that just happens to be where the PS2 or keyboard registry/drivers/files is located...and an image overwrite still hits the same data on the same bad 'sector'....equally far-fetched.

I really don't believe the image could have had the same issue [as software error]...but I guess it's possible.

One quaint idea is to try a USB keyboard...and see if 'Doze can notice the change and respond correctly [but I don't have one - yet].

 

The upshot of all this....no matter how clever you think you are with backups, etc...when Windows has a brain-fart and won't even read your keyboard....you're well and truly knackered....;p

 

11,055 views 49 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
you didn't reinstall Norton, did you?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
you didn't reinstall Norton, did you?



NORTON... the root of all evil!
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No....not entirely stupid....

Tried a USB keyboard....no luck....

Am restoring now to an older image...to see if that helps.

Something is definitely screwy, though....

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hey jafo...do you get the same problem if you start windows in safe mode?...nice strange problem
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Safe mode was the same....hence the depth of the 'problem'.

The interesting thing is...I'm now in that OS/drive.....using a week older Image than the previous attempt....and this now works just fine.

So something....either a windows or proggy install/update fragged things...or I got myself a virus.

Either way, I've probably lost a week's emails and net history....nothing much more.  Everything else is on other physical drives.

Next trick is to try swapping psd files....so I get the emails back, too...

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
even though you probably don't want to go anywhere near the dodgy OS image again, did you check the Windows Device Manager and see what it said there for the ps2 Keyboard? whether it could recognise the kb, etc etc....
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm sure you've done it, but I'll say it, just so I can say I said it......pull the plugs on both ports and reseat them (just in case it's the mouse port, leave it out and try the keyboard). If that's a no-go, enter the Bios and disable boot virus protection and set error stop to 'none'. Failing that, enter the bios PCI Configuration section and manually set keyboard to an unused IRQ.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I had to go in via a non-admin user....so couldn't alter any settings...though it did say there was a problem with it...though the wizard was disabled...so that was a dead-end as well.

I always strive to get the most ridiculous problems I can manage...

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I always strive to get the most ridiculous problems I can manage


......and you're very successful at it......
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Failing that, enter the bios PCI Configuration section and manually set keyboard to an unused IRQ.

That's about the only thing I didn't do....[probably would have solved it]....though am now in an old image...and it's still working....so I'm updating virus proggies, etc...until the issue is maybe replicated...

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You use Ghost, yes?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ahh...another cliff-hanger.....
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Drive Image 7.....fortunately auto-set to do one every week.....

the 26th must have had the same problem with lost drivers/whatever....

but the 19th is currently working...

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All the 'simple' stuff being out of the way and the fact your other drive works leaves us with a trashed MBR. On a Ghost (and I think Image 7) restore you can enable option to rewrite the MBR. If the image MBR copy is fragged, then you'll have to do it the old fashion way.... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q69013/ . There is another option...you can restore the newest image, but DO NOT restore the MBR and it will leave you with the MBR that is now working and the newer files....theoretically
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Isn't computing a theoretical science?

Jafo, have you had any luck yet? 'sBeen almost two days!

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Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo, have you had any luck yet? 'sBeen almost two days!


China Syndrome?
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

the 26th must have had the same problem with lost drivers/whatever....
but the 19th is currently working...

Fear not...I'm currently using that 9 day old image....and brought it back up to speed...emails, etc....no loss of 'data' at all.

Still no 'exact' idea what went wrong....

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...aliens
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Windows gremlins.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Windows gremlins.

MS actually released that ver....though they called it "Windows ME"....

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo,

Try this program next time you need to reload and don't have your key. You might want to run it now and write your key on the top of your Windows CD so you don't lose it again.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Developer Sembetu ...if you mean that I'd lost my XP CD key....THAT wasn't the problem....[I have it]...it was the sudden realisation that I COULD NOT input it....as the keyboard was not functioning, anyway....

When you lose your 'interfacing' method...you REALLY ARE screwed....

A Computer with 'no' keyboard is pretty much just a big, boxy paper-weight....

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that's why i jack straight to the medulla
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
that's why i jack straight to the medulla


USB or PS2?