Frustrating Problem, Need Help

886 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by The_0ctogon, Nov 29, 2009

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2009

So this guy has this Dell. The hard drive died, and he had it replaced through Dell. The guy Dell sent out to replace it also installed Windows XP back on it, but didn't install the drivers for him. He couldn't figure out how to use the driver/utilities disk, so he hired me to install all the necessary drivers for him.

I was thinking this was gonna be really easy money as acquiring and installing drivers is one of the simplest things in the computer repair world. When I started plugging the computer into my spare CRT monitor, I realized it didn't have any PS/2 ports, so my spare keyboard and mouse wouldn't do. I disconnnected my sig rig's USB keyboard and mouse and plugged 'em in no problem.

I started up the Dell and it got to the XP login screen like it should. But then I realized neither the mouse nor the keyboard were responding at all. It's just once Windows boots though. I can access the BIOS and everything using the same keyboard in the same USB port, but its lights go out and it goes unresponsive once Windows boots.

I'm thinking its just some driver error with the USB controller, but since it has zero PS/2 ports, I can't access the device manager or anything. I don't have the Dell operating system restore disc, but I think I might try another XP install disc I have to do an installation repair. Any other ideas?

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

FREELINE57

· #2 · Nov 28, 2009

Do you have usb mouse and keyboard enabled in bios?

Shroud

· #3 · Nov 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by FREELINE57

View Post

Do you have usb mouse and keyboard enabled in bios?

Without the keyboard responding, he can't access the BIOS?

See less See more

Cyberbot

· #4 · Nov 28, 2009

try to go into the BIOS to see if there's some USB options that has to be switched on.

Cyberbot

· #5 · Nov 28, 2009

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_0ctogon

View Post

I can access the BIOS and everything using the same keyboard in the same USB port, but its lights go out and it goes unresponsive once Windows boots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroud

View Post

Without the keyboard responding, he can't access the BIOS?

See less See more

Reflux

· #6 · Nov 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by FREELINE57

View Post

Do you have usb mouse and keyboard enabled in bios?

This.

There is generally an option for it, however he won't be able to navigate in the bios. That's a fishy one to fix.

See less See more

Saaz

· #7 · Nov 28, 2009

Have you tried all the USB Ports?

FREELINE57

· #8 · Nov 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroud

View Post

Without the keyboard responding, he can't access the BIOS?

Reread OP's post! he can access bios, he's saying when he trys to boot to windows thats when he has no control of usb keyboard.

See less See more

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 28, 2009

Yes I can get into the BIOS, but it's crappy Dell BIOS, so it's skimpy on options. My first thought was what you guys recommended with the legacy USB/USB keyboard and mouse options.

However, there are no USB-related settings except for disabling/enabling the onboard USB controller (which is enabled), and disabling/enabling the USB controller for "FlexBay," (also enabled) which I assume is the multi-card reader installed in the 3.5" bay.

I'm really pulling my hair out over this one. I've tried every USB port and booting into safe mode/debug mode to no avail.

I've also been googling the problem and it seems there's quite a few people who have had the same problem with Dells of varying model types. There wouldn't be a problem if they just included a PS/2 port...

Vlasov_581

· #10 · Nov 28, 2009

did this dell come with it's own keyboard?.....and are you using you media keyboard?

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlasov_581

View Post

did this dell come with it's own keyboard?.....and are you using you media keyboard?

Hmm actually now that I think about it, it most likely did come with its own Dell mouse and keyboard. They're obviously still USB though, not some proprietary interface, so I don't see how that would make a difference.

And yes I'm using a Logitech MX518 mouse and a Logitech UltraX media keyboard.

Edit:
Started doing a repair install of XP. Hopefully it doesn't matter that it has Media Center Edition installed and I'm using a Pro disc to do the repairing.

See less See more

Vlasov_581

· #12 · Nov 28, 2009

can you stop by bestbuy or something and pick up a cheap usb keyboard, try it and then return it?

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 28, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlasov_581

View Post

can you stop by bestbuy or something and pick up a cheap usb keyboard, try it and then return it?

I could, but I don't see the point of that since I konw for sure that this keyboard is 100% working. Care to explain your reasoning?

See less See more

Vlasov_581

· #14 · Nov 28, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_0ctogon

View Post

I could, but I don't see the point of that since I konw for sure that this keyboard is 100% working. Care to explain your reasoning?

when unexplainable things happen i always try every option

See less See more

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 28, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlasov_581

View Post

when unexplainable things happen i always try every option

I guess I can try my brother's keyboard and see if that does anything. I'm in the middle of a clean install of XP Pro on it, as the repair install failed miserably (BSOD). If that doesn't work then I'm probably screwed.

See less See more

Vlasov_581

· #16 · Nov 28, 2009

i'm not sure but could it be possible that the dell bios looks for key signatures so if the dell-bloated os is not present it disables things

See less See more

jouno53

· #17 · Nov 28, 2009

Get your hands on a stock Dell usb keyboard/mouse and try that out if you can.

The_0ctogon

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 29, 2009

Well it appears that it has a bad stick of RAM, as the Windows installer kept BSODing until I disabled all but 256MB of it. The clean install did fix the USB problem. It must've been a driver fail on Dell's part. Now I'm off to reenable all the memory and run memtest86 on it.

Thanks for the help guys

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.