Windows XP Activation conundrum

[dwell]

I replaced the motherboard on my PC. Everything went well until I booted for the first time. Windows asks to activate but it seems the USB drivers didn't load and can't hit enter or click on the dialog (kb & mouse not on). Seems there's no way out other then finding a legacy keyboard or adapter or just installing Windows.

Any way around this?

 

[cubby1223]

Sometimes the system will find the keyboard & mouse while sitting at the login screen. Give it some time. Else, need to find a ps/2 keyboard.

Personally I've never picked up usb keyboards for anyone, because every system treats them differently. Some won't let you use the bios, some will but won't let you use it to select booting from cd or going into safe mode.

 

[dwell]

Never comes up 🙁 Safe mode does not work either. Going to have to get a PS/2 adapter tomorrow or re-install.

 

[Navid]

Enter the BIOS and look.
There may be a setting for USB Legacy support.
Enable it and try again.
Also make sure if there is a setting for USB keyboard to enable it.

 

[dwell]

Tried that and it didn't work 🙁 Guess I am screwed for the time being.

 

[Navid]

NM

 

[Navid]

Are you sure you have connected the USB cable from the case to the motherboard?

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: Navid
Are you sure you have connected the USB cable from the case to the motherboard?

Oh yeah. USB works in the BIOS, and XP setup and recovery console. Just when Windows proper comes up (regular or Safe Mode) I can't type.

 

[JesseKnows]

Worth a try - disconnect and reconnect the keyboard while in the Windows dialog. Maybe it'll get discovered better.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: JesseKnows
Worth a try - disconnect and reconnect the keyboard while in the Windows dialog. Maybe it'll get discovered better.

Yeah tried that too 🙁 You see the HDD light up like it's trying to do something but no luck. Oh well. Got to wait until tomorrow I guess.