Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yesterday]

My keyboard stopped working on my (old) computer....

I instantly thought the keyboard was broken -

however - I changed that keyboard over with the keyboard on my new computer (which works) - and once again the keyboard that works on my new computer DID NOT work on the old computer....

so I figured its not the keyboard - its the old computer....

so I wanted to reformat my old computer - (it needs it anyway) - however - I managed to get into MS MODE and by copying and pasting - letter-by-letter (using the mouse) - I managed to get format c: /s typed in (by copying and pasting) - however - to perform the reformat I have to press ENTER - which I can't do using the mouse....

What should I do -

how - do I reformat without being able to type on the keyboard...

or how do I fix the keyboard?

or is it possible to just reload Windows without reformatting?

[idonojacs]

Well, there's your specific problem, and similar problems others might run into, that are worth addressing.

First of all, there are viruses known to mess up keyboard function. Sometimes running Microsoft's malicious software removal tool will fix the problem. If you do your updates regularly you will end up running it once a month. You can also download the tool separately. Running an antivirus program is another step to take.

There are two ways to plug in a keyboard: USB and serial. There are usually more than one USB ports, try another. If you are using an old serial plug, try a USB keyboard.

If you are using a USB keyboard, maybe the driver got corrupted. Try other USB ports, of course.

If you don't give a damn what's on your hard drive and want to start over anyway, just stick your OS disk in the drive. Now here it depends on how old your machine really is. Windows 98 and will reload from a CD or DVD, of course. You used to be able to make a floppy restore disk for emergencies, though, for when your system crashes.

Basically, you just insert the Windows OS CD or DVD and it should take over your system and guide you through a step by step reinstall. It will probably load a compact version of Windows 95 to begin the install, so this should have the necessary drivers for your keyboard, etc. One of the first things it will do is ask permission to reformat your hard drive. So you don't need to reformat it yourself.

If for any reason your Windows OS does not start up, you may need to go into your bios settings; when the computer is booting you hit something like the F2 key. You can then instruct it to boot off the CD instead of the hard drive first. Who knows, you may find some setting that could get your keyboard working, too.

Once you do your reinstall, use antivirus software, of course. Go to download.com and look for antivirus programs. Believe it or not, there are quite good ones available for free.

And you will have to do all your Windows ujpdates. Good luck.

Let us know what the solution is, please.

-- as to the Enter key conundrum, the left mouse button often acts like an enter key, of course. Theoretically you might be able change the function of your right mouse key through the control panel, mouse to replicate the enter key function. But you might need the enter key to do this. Sometimes pressing down on the roller wheel acts like the enter key, if it is also a button. But mice are different.

[Yesterday]

Great - I will try that solution -

Installing Windows OS again from boot....

I have all my programs backed up on external drive - so should be easy to re-install everything...

lets hope this works...

will let you know the outcome...

[Yesterday]

actually that didn't work - because to install Windows again from the CD - I have to type in the key / serial code thingy - but I can't type it in without keyboard working....

[idonojacs]

In this case, it is not a software problem. Reformatting your drive will not help.

You tried your other keyboard, of course.

Can you be more specific about how old a computer you are working from? I assume it is a desktop, rather than a laptop, right?

Are you using a USB keyboard or a round serial keyboard plug?

If the later, you realize there are similar jacks for the keyboard and the mouse, right? Are they plugged into the right jacks?

If you have tried the other options, it may be that the card the keyboard plugs into is either not working, or is loose in its socket. The later is unlikely if it is screwed into place.

Cheap cards that will give you extra USB outlets are available at computer stores. You could try putting one in and plugging the keyboard to that.

And of course, if you are using a USB keyboard, I assume you have it plugged in directly to the computer, and have tried switching plugs.

Did you check your bios settings? Actually, I doubt you will be able to do anything there without a keyboard. But for other problems of this sort, the next thing would be to change the bios to restore the originally settings.

One other thing, if it is a hardware problem, don't use your old keyboard with your good computer until you figure out what went wrong.

[Yesterday]

Wow - thanks for your advice - idonojacs


I turned the computer OFF - changed all the jacks around (mouse, keyboard, external drive etc etc - ALL USB jacks)...

then tried again - HEY - the keyboards working again...

thanks a lot for your help...

[idonojacs]

That's great!

I'm curious what version of Windows you are using?

Windows XP seems to sometimes have a problem with losing drivers for USB devices. Plugging a device into another USB port causes the computer to reinstall the device on XP.

That may have been all that was wrong.

but I would go to the Microsoft website and search for malicious software removal tool, save to disk and run it. I have had a problem with the keys acting erratically that this solved.

It's still puzzling that the keyboard didn't work on startup with the Windows disk. That particular USB port may be bad.

Oh, and good for you for backing everything up. Having two computers helps, too.

[Yesterday]

I am using Windows XP sp2 - Korean version....

I have been using this a few years now (I heard microsoft is about to release their new Windows XP sp3 and also their first Vista sp1 eiditons)..

I have tried to keep away from vista so far anyway...

anyway - this problem happened on my old computer - which I want to throw away in the trash soon anyway - but today I had someone at my house using my new GOOD computer - so I could only use my old computer....

I want to buy a new one soon to replace the old one that I want to throw away... but I am waiting 1~2 more months before I buy the new one with all that fancy OPTIC dual core inside stuff etc....