duh! i must have been even more tired than i would have thought. ok. basic stuff does help
Win XP HomeEdition build 2600 xpsp2 service pack 1
Intel Motherboard 440BX/ZX rev 2 chipset, serial # ISMP84005410, AA 698435-301
Originally a PII-400, now a celeron 370 socket in a slocket at 1GigHz
Maxtor 120Gig HD w/8Mb cach
3 optical drives
384MB memory running stock at 100 FSB
this is an OEM Gateway G6-400 originally (128Mb of the memory is the original stick that was ordered with it)
USB Wireless/Optical Mouse
PS2 Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Original Floppy Disk Drive
SB Live sound card
Printer is on the parallel port
USB Powered Hub
ATI Radeon 8500LE 128Mb
i'm tired again, anything else?
everything has been in this form for at least 8 months. never a problem. i had plenty of hiccups when i first got it. but we've been through an lot together. I replaced the monitor etc, everything but the original memory and case/power supply, floppy. all of the additions have been with very little trouble. i did have to learn about video drivers when i switched to the ATI board. and if memory serves the SB had a learning curve. i'm about to get a SantaCruz. Probably the last upgrade before a replacement/addition that'll be a ground up build. i basically used this as a test bed/learner. i've loved the experience, well mostly. there have been some times of intense frustration!!!
the keyboard thing is so totally out of left field, i was curious whether anyone had a clue.
thanks for the response, any ideas?