Problems with PC

[HKLozzo]

Hello all.
I wondered if anyone could give me some pointers as to what to do next.
Basically, my PC was dead when i woke up, a couple of days ago. After some fiddling about with it myself, the power was back on but i locked myself out with my power-on password. Unfortunately, the keyboard was not working, so i couldn't type the password. Doh!
So i did what i thought might work, removed the BIOS battery for a moment.
Anyway, the PC went through the POST, XP loaded ok and stopped at the profile selection screen. Unfortunately, neither the mouse or keyboard is working. There are lights on the mouse (MS Intellimouse) and keyboard but neither is working. So i cannot get into Windows to do anything about it and cannot get into the BIOS setup to check anything.
I've tried both mouse and keyboard in both the PS/2 and USB sockets in different combinations. Nothing has worked so far.

If anyone has any advice how i can proceed or whether it might be a MoBo problem, I would appreciate it.
On the same topic, I'm in Mui Wo. Anyone know a good & in-expensive tech who would come round to look at it, should i need to call in an expert?
Many thanks in advance for any advice offered.

[discobay]

If the lights on the keyboard work then can you toggle the num lock light on and off? If so, then you should be able to get a response at boot up and in Windows. Have you tried to see if it will respond to holding down the Del or F1 key on boot up? If and when you get into BIOS setup clear the settings (revert to default) and reboot. After bios and before the windows load up sequence hit F5 (or F8) to run windows in safe mode and see if that helps.

[Monde]

Question: Are they cordless? The mouse and keyboard.

[HKLozzo]

Thanks for the input. I can tell you that i tried all of the keys on the keyboard, to get any kind of response. Tried the F1 and DEL key for the setup menu. Nothing. Both Caps Lock & Num Lock lights are on but cannot turn them off.

Both mouse and keyboard are wired type. The keyboard was in the PS/2 socket and the mouse was in the USB. I even bought an $18 PS/2-USB convertor to try the keyboard in the USB. No luck either way.

I suspect there is a problem with the MoBo, thats why i think i need an expert to give it a proper looking at.

I just don't fancy lugging the box to Wanchai, via ferry. So was hoping to fix it myself.

Thanks for the help.

[WalkAbout]

try a new ps2 keyboard first.

the light you see now would indicate the mobo at the very least sees the kb, (its getting power).

[discobay]

The lights will stay on if the system has hung. Try and determine if it is the hardware or windows by toggling the num lock whilst booting. If you find that the light stops toggling just as you load windows then therein lies your problem. Next try F5 as I mentioned before.

[HKLozzo]

Hey great. Thanks for the advice. I will try it tonight. I personally think its the MoBo, even though there appears to be power to everything else and XP is managing to load up. If i get any further, i'll come back and let you know what happened. Thanks again.

[discobay]

One more thing to consider, the addition of a new hardware could have led to your current situation. If you remember doing this then try removing it.

[ontheroad]

Also, there's this new technology forum, wink wink, http://www.devlib.org/forums/, where you might find helpful answers...

God I'm a suckup!

[HKLozzo]

Hi all,

Just to update again. Since we needed to upgrade the HD anyway, i bought a new 160GB HD last night and a $25 keyboard just to see if it will work.
Installed the HD OK and connected the keyboard. Amazingly, the keyboard worked (PS/2). Mouse was still not working via USB. Anyway, managed to re-install Windows XP on the new drive, hoping to fix the mouse once inside Windows. But no luck. Windows didn't 'see' the mouse by PnP (tried all 6 USB sockets). USB appears to be installed OK according to Device Manager. tried adding a new mouse but XP reported a code 10 (bad hardware or something?!?) and would not proceed. My last step will be to pick up a new PS/2 mouse tonight. If that works, we'll be back in business. If it doesn't...er dunno!

Thanks to all for advice offered previously.