I've completely lost all keyboard & mouse support on my XP machine...

[afoygel]

I purchased a Microsoft Wireless Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 (mouse keyboard combo) and the installation process didn't work. The intellipoint software also erased any support for my previous hardware, a Logitech MX518 and a generic usb keyboard. Even a PS/2 mouse and keyboard doesn't work in safe mode!

I followed the instructions when installing the new hardware, and the software on the intellipoint cd prompted me to erase conflicting mouse and keyboard software, which I assumed to be Logitech's Setpoint. I never got the new mouse and keyboard to work, and when I tried switching back to my USB keyboard and mouse it asked me if I wanted to install support for g3/mx518... which I couldn't do because I don't have any mouse or keyboard support.

I tried using a regular ps/2 keyboard and mouse, and when I boot in safe mode I get a warning box asking me if I want to install software for ps/2 compatible mouse, which I obviously can't click.

I'm calling MS support tomorrow, which will obviously be an uphill battle, and other than that I fear that I'm gonna have to somehow install ps/2 support via a boot disk. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I think the drivers for your keyboard/mouse got corrupted and now you have probably only one solution and to reinstall the OS. I think.

 

[afoygel]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
I think the drivers for your keyboard/mouse got corrupted and now you have probably only one solution and to reinstall the OS. I think.

I've thought of that possibility.. If that is the case I will need to get my hands on the data on the drive. And getting my first Mac... kneejerk style. I have a feeling that there's some kind of tedious work around for this...

 

[g8wayrebel]

Download and boot Bart PE or Knoppix STD (both bootable os).
You will have mouse and kb support through them.
Install and overwrite the appropriate files from there.

 

[Zepper]

You should also go into your BIOS setup and make sure everything regarding keyboard/mouse in there is set up properly. If you use USB kbd/mse, especially make sure the USB "Legacy Support" is enabled so you will have the use of your kbd/mse during the period before the OS boots up (if that is not the way it is right now, you will have to start out with PS/2 to get that part set up then you can switch to USB).
. If using PS/2 kbd/mse make sure the PS/2 ports are Enabled (there really shouldn't be an option to Enable/Disable the PS/2 ports as they should be live at all times). Now if you plugged or unplugged any PS/2 device while powered up, you may have blown the fuse to those ports (a fairly common occurrence).

NEVER plug/unplug PS/2 devices while powered up! It is wise to adhere to that with any connection (especially the legacy connections - serial, parallel, analog video, etc., but some like USB are supposed to be safe for hot-plugging. There, that's my Tip o' the Day.

. I'd think most mobos would be using the "plastic" fuses for the PS/2 power by now that should eventually reset themselves, but some may still use the one-time fuses to save a few cents. If you have a meter, you can know for sure. The fuse usually looks like a small resistor and will be the last component in the 5V line before it gets to the ports. If the fuse is bad, you will read 5V on the side of the fuse away from the ports and zip on the side next to the ports. You can either unsolder the current fuse and solder in a new one (get the plastic, self-resetting type for the replacement) or just tack solder the new fuse across the old dead one and should have the standard Fuse symbol (sort of a sideways "S") next to it and/or a label like F1 (the number may be any number).

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I have downloaded Bart PE as suggested, but I'm having trouble getting networking up and running. Also I don't know how to access my files from there, and not sure how to either fix the corrupted files or to be able to extract and back up data. At this point I would be happy just to recover data and move on.

MY PS/2 fuses are still intact, but thanks for the tip, because I've been doing that.

My final idea -- would using the Repair function of my XP cd do anything?

 

[Zepper]

The Repair function of the XP install CD should be able to fix many problems like fragged MBR, missing system files in the Root directory of your boot drive, etc.

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

Originally posted by: Zepper
The Repair function of the XP install CD should be able to fix many problems like fragged MBR, missing system files in the Root directory of your boot drive, etc.

.bh.

Zepper: would that help me restore my mouse and keyboard support? Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

If it is something wrong with a windows system file (s) (missing or corrupt) it should. You should get basic functionality even if the specific drivers for your kbd/mse kit are missing. Once you've got Win running, just uninstall then reinstall the specific drivers. Maybe start up in Safe mode to uninstall the special drivers if they are corrupt and causing problems as they won't be loaded while in Safe mode. Then reinstall when you are back in normal mode.

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

Thanks for the reply. When I boot of my Win XP Pro CD I have the option to set up Windows XP, and option to creat a partition, and an option to delete a partion. T do have two partitions already, with windows on one of them. The option to repair ins't there..

I guess it's not detecting the Windows installation that's already there...

 

[Zepper]

Well, maybe you could get your hands on a copy of the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows (UBCD4win.com). It might be able to help you fix your hard drive. There is a guy linked from the UBCD for DOS site that builds several boot CDs for just a blank CD and a postpaid, self-addressed envelope to ship it(them) back in. Or if you have a friend with a working XP machine, you could make the CD yourself - check the directions on the UBCD4W site (requires an XP install disk for the CD builder script to grab some files from). Too bad you don't back up your Win partition - this would have been over by now if you had. I hope this is a learning experience...

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

Well, I've installed a second drive and installed a fresh copy of Windows on that. Now I have access to my old Windows install. Is there any way for me to go in there and overwrite a few files?

 

[Zepper]

If you boot from the install CD now and go into the Repair option, does it see the installation on your old drive? If so, maybe it can repair that one now.

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

There doesn't seem to be an Repair option on the CD, and I did get an error mesage about a missing NETUPGRD.DLL. There is a Transfer files and setting option. Can I use it to pull all my data from the old partition? Ideally I'd like to be able to recover the old drive though. Thanks for your replies, Zepper.

 

[Zepper]

Have you run your HDD mfr's diagnostic disk against your old hard drive? You need to know if there is any physical damage to the drive before doing anything further. So if you haven't done that yet, download and make the diagnostic disk and run its non-destructive test. If the disk tests 100% good, then we'll go from there.
. The next thing is to try something like this: http://www.majorgeeks.com/My_BootDisk_d3112.html or OS Check via the same web site.

.bh.

 

[afoygel]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Have you run your HDD mfr's diagnostic disk against your old hard drive? You need to know if there is any physical damage to the drive before doing anything further. So if you haven't done that yet, download and make the diagnostic disk and run its non-destructive test. If the disk tests 100% good, then we'll go from there.
. The next thing is to try something like this: http://www.majorgeeks.com/My_BootDisk_d3112.html or OS Check via the same web site.

.bh.

My HD is fine, and I'm wondering how the utility above can help me in my situation. Is it at all similar to Bart PE? I downloaded and burned it, but wasn't sure what to do with it after I used it to book.

Thanks again for keeping up with me...

-Alex

 

[Zepper]

YW,

So you have tested the old HDD and it is mechanically and electrically sound, correct. And what's keeping things from working is that the keyboard and/or mouse doesn't seem to get detected.
. I'll also assume that you've tested all your kbds and mice on other computers and they work fine there as well. So, how old is your motherboard and when was the last time you changed out your CMOS battery (I change mine when they drop to 2.9V or less) and only use top name-brand batteries made in USA, Japan or Switzerland as I want them to last a long time. If the voltage is getting down there, check your BIOS setup and record any special settings you have made, then clear your CMOS per the method in your mobo manual. Once that is done, save & reboot and go back into your BIOS setup and re-enter your special settings.
. Also tell me the make and model of your mobo so I can check its manual.

.bh.

Have you also tested with a bootable CD to see if your input devices work OK with that - just to eliminate an OS problem? .bh.

 

[afoygel]

I have an EVGA 133-K8-NF41-AX motherboard. When I used a bootable cd (Bart PE) I was able to use both the mouse and keyboard fine (PS/2).

Currently I'm using this machine with a new HD and a fresh install of windows, with full mouse and keyboard support. I can access all data on my old HD, but I'd love to be able to regain the use of the old Windows install on it.

Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

Well, as we've already concluded, there must be some corrupt windows system files and/or specific driver files. That last disk I linked for you may be able to get the repair function going. Also check at MajorGeeks.com for the Sysinternals Tool Kit which also may have something along those lines.

I haven't heard of Malware that specifically targets the input device drivers, but that's not out of the question. So a malware check from a bootable CD like either of the UBCD disks, Hiren's, etc. should help with that.

.bh.