Topic: Windows caught in loop and no keyboard

Greetings.

I have a friend that is having some issues with their computer and need some help for them.

When the computer boots, there is an option to go into "Safe Mode". If I could get it there, I am pretty sure I could get it working again. However, the keyboard does not work. If I go into BIOS, the keyboard works fine.

I am sure that the option under "System Failure" to "Automatically Restart" is checked, not allowing the computer to give me anything to go on.

I went ahead and popped in Knoppix and everything worked fine (keyboard, mouse, display, eth0, etc...)

So does anyone have an idea as to how I can disable that option to get windows to boot or how to get the keyboard to work?

I've never had a computer's keyboard not work during startup.

Thanks in advance!!!

Later,

C:\

Check the specs, as these things vary from constructor to constructor : find out the exact model and brand of the laptop,
put that in a google box and append " specifications" or " user guide" or the likes to your search query - or better yet,
query google about the Bios name - it shows when starting up usually, or when entering the bios itself.

I don't think you are understanding me. I'm a bit under the weather so I might only be making sense to myself

I can use the keyboard when I go into BIOS.

When the computer first starts up, I have the option for :

"Safe Mode"
"Last Known Good Configuration"
"Start Windows Normally"

Right at this point, I have NO keyboard.

I have tried BartPE but I can not get it to run the "runas" from a command line and when I access the "sysdm.cpl" to uncheck the "Auto Restart" it says I don't have permissions.

Then I tried to go into the registry to set it, BartPE only shows me the registry for itself, not the computer.

Later,

C:\

USB or PS/2 keyboard?

Might be that the bios usb "legacy keyboard" option is turned off - or you might
try a ps/2 keyboard if you have a usb one...


and you should be able to load the computer's registry in bart Pe - I've never
tried it, but see http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm


so long,

->Tyberius Prime

I am the one who is not understood here

1) At bios (basic input/output system) level, if the keyboard (basic input device) is not detected, the computer does not start
and does not go to "Start Windows in...". Is it a usb or ps/2 keyboard?

My best bet is it's usb and there is some serious issue with the motherboard or usb ports (or drivers) (or both).

2) POST the bios name and version - please. Give me food for thought, thelepathy works bad due to the bubbly.

3) Oh, and if you WANT to uncheck the autoreboot thing, have a look at this :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307973

I've been in support some nine years, on all levels of the ITIL model, and delivering express services to fortune 500 employees all along.
Believe me or not, I do know what I am talking about and I do understand your points, make sure you "pay me back" by understanding mines
and your computer will live happily ever after ,)

It might also help to rerun the win xp setup from cd and have it repair the installation in case it is just a case of missing or currupted drivers. Just be sure not to select "repair" the first time the setup asks but continue as if you wanted to do a clean installation. One of the next screens then has a menu that asks how the installer should handle the current windows installation it finds - and this usually includes another repair option.

(I'd recommend that as a last resort option : Windows installer CDs and repair tools, in the field, have a bad reputation of messing things up - you'll be lucky
if it fixes things the way you expect it to, I know I would not rely on luck and not rely on the install CD until I have at least managed to login again) (my 2 cents).

I think it is USB but to be honest I am not 100% sure.

quote:

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Tyberius Prime said:

and you should be able to load the computer's registry in bart Pe - I've never
tried it, but see http://windowsxp.mvps.org/peboot.htm

---

I tried it ... when I tried to load the hive it gave me "Access Denied"

screw it...i'll just reinstall Windows for them after I get their info off of it.

Later,

C:\

i've had the same problem, but it was because of my USB keyboard.
"USB emulation ON/OFF " in the BIOS did it for me...

There are a few ways to fix this, but you're probably going the easiest route by re-installing windows. However, if you are able, you should select 'repair installation' in the CD setup. This option will leave most of the original installation in place, but should return the PC to a bootable state with the user accounts intact.

This option will not be available in certain circumstances; for instance, when using a pre-SP2 CD on an SP2 installation... :S

Nuke it. Nuke it
Although "repair" is the sensible first option.


Those who look for monsters should look to it that
they do not become monsters. For when you gaze
long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

(Edited by Tao on 01-01-2008 20:47)

I just reinstalled everything. Took forever!!

Now...let me ask this. Why does Windows require you to load a RAID driver when installing on a SATA drive?
Dumbest thing I've ever had to deal with.

Later,

C:\

i might be wrong on this, but i think SATA support has been added to windowsXP in ServicePack1. so before that, you will need some sort of driver for a SATA harddisk.

besides that.... LMAO that a guy named CPrompt is asking Windows-Keyboard questions... SCNR.

Long before the widespread use of SATA drive controllers, when RAID wasn't in common use by the end-user, if you wanted to install drivers for a RAID controller, you usually needed to install the (third-party) drivers as part of the Windows Installation in order for Windows to correctly 'see' and use the attached storage device(s).

Essentially, RAID/SATA/SCSI (etc) are all just functions/features of a drive controller. My mainboard includes SATA and RAID - RAID is offered as a feature of the SATA controller. Essentially, it's a RAID controller with a SATA interface. This isn't necessarily always the case, but I've found a lot of RAID-less SATA controllers install with the stock Windows drivers from the SP2 CD (no hitting F6)... but not all...

Ever since Service Packs 1 and 2, Windows XP has attempted to include a better selection of drivers for a wider range of hardware (including SATA and RAID controllers). Unfortunately, as XP is an ageing operating system (already) and new SATA/RAID products and developments are still being released frequently, there are a large number of controllers that there simply weren't WHQL'd drivers for at the time of SP2's release (for instance). This means that even when installing from an SP2 CD, it is sometimes still necessary to provide the (third party) drivers for your specific flavour of RAID/SATA controller.

Perhaps your mainboard has no RAID function - perhaps Microsoft were just being lazy, and they left the term "RAID" in place for the optional installation of (third party) drive controllers..? Perhaps it saved them having to change the wording in all their old manuals when they released Service Packs, but kept the setup utility itself largely intact in its original form.

Perhaps mutant killer zombie space monkeys conspired to confuse you...

I have to ask, C:\ - why are you unable to determine if the keyboard is USB or PS/2? I presume this isn't an issue any more, but the curiosity is killing me! *twitchtwitch*

quote:

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White Hawk said:

why are you unable to determine if the keyboard is USB or PS/2?

---

because I couldn't remember. At the time of asking this question, the computer was not in front of me. I was at the friends house where the computer was, when I left, I took the case only and left the keyboard there.

quote:

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GRUMBLE said:

besides that.... LMAO that a guy named CPrompt is asking Windows-Keyboard questions... SCNR.

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yeah...funny. The name CPrompt is in reference to the initials of my actual name, not my love or knowledge of windows or computers.

Thanks for the info on RAID White Hawk.

Later,

C:\