Vista - Nightmare situation

Hi
I have a dell xps running (ha!) Vista HP32 bit. I am now in a loop. All my progs seem to be corrupt and I think I need to do a system restore to factory state. However the keyboard does not respond during boot so I cant access the safe mode or startup menu - its straight into Vista and nothing works. Microsoft installer for Office 2003 has taken over and will not recognise the install CD so it loops around. I have tries a power down by hardware button but when I restart sure the window is there offering the options but I can't navigate cos the keyboard does not work and the clock ticks down - then it all starts again. Help - will I wake up??

Hi,

If you're using a USB keyboard, try switching to a PS/2 one.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"jonmal123" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:58f1ab31cf130c7a8394d6c42432f801@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

jonmal123 wrote:
The only problem with Rick's suggestion that you try a ps/2 keyboard is that
current Dell machines like yours no longer have ps/2 ports. So try:

1. Putting your USB keyboard into a different USB slot.
2. If that doesn't help, try a different USB keyboard.

If that doesn't help, you're going to need to call Dell tech support because
you've got an obvious hardware issue.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Yes thanks for that. No PS2 slot. Had to get to Dell but got a number that was always busy (fills me with confidence) Just decided to do a factory restore and tried plugging into a built in USB rather than the add on PCI card I had put on the motherboard and it worked. Now I have to reload everything but at least it worked. I think it must have been a virus.

jonmal123 wrote:
an emergency boot up disk would probably have worked too. :-)

I'm having the same problem. Can't do much without a keyboard and mouse, and
I've hardset the motherboard and restored the system 5-6 times (which enables
me to use the mouse and keyboard for a very short period before they fail
again). Let me know if you're able to remedy your problems and vice versa.
I'm going to take a different mouse home tonight and see if that does
anything -- I seriously doubt it. Mark Ferguson responded to my problem
saying to download SP1 - the only problem for me is by the time I'm able to
get an internet connection (and I've got cable), my mouse quits working, as
does the keyboard, so I can't move anywhere.

"jonmal123" wrote: