Any ADVANCED advice for BOOTing into XP after a nasty hang?

[DarkFudge2000]

Please all...i posted in the OS forum but i could also use any help from anyone...please forgive me

Hi folks

I have a very odd problem, my pc seems to be caught in a bootup problem.

Whenever I boot, I get the infamous Windows screen to select Windows Normal, Windows Safe Boot, ect....the problem is that at this screen my keyboard will not function and allwo me to arrow down to select Windows SAFE BOOT. So the keyboard doesnt function and eventually the selection timer runs out and tries to boot into Windows normally again and fails, then reboots and loops right back to this screen again.

I know its not a bad keyboard because it functions fine to allow me to escape into my BIOS screen to make different selections and all my keys work fine until after I save any settings and Windows tries to load...it keeps going to that Windows start up screen but wont allow my to key up or down or even press enter. I have to just wait until the timer runs out, then tries to load Windows normally...then eventually loops back to this same screen...aAARRGH!

These are the things I've tried so far that have NOT worked:

1 -I tried clearing my CMOS by resetting the jumper settings on the motherboard. didnt work to load windows but it did reset all my bios settings

2- I tried to put in the originall XP CD and then changed my bootup sequence to boot from my CD drive first. My CD light will flash for a second or 2 then go right to the same WIndows bootup choice screen that I am having the same problem with

3- I tried changing alot of BIOS settings such as Enable PLUG and Play OS, Clear ESCD, assign USB an IRQ, ect....nothing seem to work

4- I also tried unplugging the Power from the outlet, then restarting the PC after 10 seconds...same problem


What is actually going on here and what can I do to fix this problem?


My keyboard is a USB keyboard...but it works fine in the BIOS screen until it gets to this WIndows selection screen. Also why isnt my cpu reading the Windows CD in the CD drive to allow me to simply reformat or at least reboot from that CD?


Is this a virus?...is it a nasty driver conflict?...whats going on and what other things can I try to fix this? Did I overlook some simple troubleshooting steps like holding down a certain key on bootup to bypass some of this trouble stuff?

thanks and Merry X-MAS or happy holidays to you all


Please help me Im desperate!

 

[Markbnj]

You might try getting one of those USB-to-PS2 keyboard adapters. Maybe it will let you get past that part of the process. I'm not sure what is getting in USBs way at that point, but the adapter should take it out of the picture. They're very small, and very cheap. Check a local Radio Shack, or you may even have received one with the keyboard.

 

[humanure]

see if there is a setting in BIOS for keyboard control, set it to BIOS not OS, or try to find a ps2 keyboard. If you can't find an adapter go to a used pc store or goodwill and pick up a used keyboard for $2. the problem is that the BIOS has given control of usb to windows, but the drivers aren't loaded yet. This is the adapter, you won't find them at best buy, staples etc.

 

[jimmyj68]

Also check - there may be a setting in bios to preload USB peripherals. I encountered your problem with an Intel DP965 mobo and pulld hair until I discovered the bios setting that keeps the keyboard working througout the whole process.

 

[DarkFudge2000]

guys thanks for your tips...please keep em coming, I actually got a USB PS2 adapter and tried plugging it in to see if I could get further, the keyboard lights now seem to function when they previously werent even in the BIOS screen but I am still having the SAME problem. The keyboard will function fine in the BIOS screen but as soon as Windows starts to load, the screen will switch to the WINDOWS multiboot screen that gives me the option to start NORMAL, SAFE MODE, ect and the keyboard will not function anymore...no more arrow key mobility, no ENTER , nothing...then it will just go thru that loop again

Any other advice guys?......why would the keyboard function fine to allow me to get into the BIOS and up until the Windows loading segment? IS it a virus?...or is it a driver conflict? and why isnt the WIndows CD reading the CD and allowing me to boot from the CD?

 

[Jiggz]

Check the bios to make sure the bios is set to boot from the CD first, (if you have a floppy you can make it the 2nd boot device and then third will be the hdd). If this is already set, check the CD drive to make sure it is detected in the bios. If you have more than one hdd, disconnect the extra ones until you are done installing Windows. Post again.

 

[DarkFudge2000]

These things were all done

I even tried every variation of boot from CD 1st, Boot from HD 2nd

vice verca...and I even tried making both my CD the first and oly options as well as the HD in another setting attempt....none of this seems to matter

 

[Denithor]

Pick up a PS2 keyboard at Walmart for $8 and try that, I have seen cases where a USB keyboard run through a USB -> PS2 adapter did not work but a true PS2 keyboard fixed the problem.