What would be causing this keyboard error

David, reseated all and still the same.

Gary, I'm almost offended.  But yes, they are plugged into the correct spots.  

I've replace a few of these MOBOS before and this model for lack of a better term sux.  Looks like I may have to replace another.

"... Gary, I'm almost offended " ==> please don't be !!  I almost didn't make that comment; but it's easy to do -- I've done it myself when just reaching behind a PC to plug the keyboard/mouse in.   I was pretty sure that wasn't the case -- but you'd hate to spend time on this and find out it was something that simple.

I'm being sarcastic.  Trust me I know.  You have to make sure the person knows to make sure the power is on in the house when they complain about not being able to see their "windows screen"

maramom, i'll try that and repost.

... by the way, try booting with the USB keyboard connected and NO mouse connected.

maramom -- you beat me to the punch => I just thought of that as I posted my last note :-)

I think there's an excellent chance that will do the trick -- as I noted earlier, the trick here is to get USB legacy support enabled; and I agree it's almost certainly the default setting for the BIOS.

I checked the readily available manual, and it is!  :)

... Yes, I just confirmed that  (one good thing about Dells is that their documentation is all easily available online).

Dell User Manual, Service Manual:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/en/index.htm

Hope this Helps!!!

Spot on Gary!  I plugged just the keyboard in and it booted right up.  If there were any errors then I couldn't see them.  I placed a USB mouse on the machine and everything seems to be perfect.

This being said what would you say the prognosis for the machine is?  More specifically should I just run it until it quits?  Thanks for your time and prompt answers.

Well.  It looks like I jumped the gun.  It worked until I rebooted it.  Now I'm back to square one again.  

Did you clear CMOS?

Try booting again with JUST the keyboard and no mouse.   See if you can get into BIOS setup.  If so, be sure to set USB emulation ON.   If you can't do that, then do a CMOS reset -- either by using the jumper (as described by maramom) or by simply removing the CMOS battery for 30 seconds (with, of course, the system unplugged).

As for the "prognosis" -- it sounds like your PS/2 ports have failed.   If the system will work okay with a USB keyboard & mouse, the system should be fine.   If not, then there may be a more fundamental issue.   If you're willing to spend a few $$ ($10 - $15) we can try to resurrect it.   Otherwise, it may very well need a new motherboard.

I have cleared the CMOS.  I can't get the machine to work with the USB keyboard.  It stops at the hit F1 or F2 screen and the keys of a PS2 or USB keyboard don't work.

Also even with no keyboard or mouse hooked up it still gives me a keyboard failure.  Its looking like a mobo.

With all that has been done, the Diagnostic Lights and the issue still exist - though sometimes intermittent, the Motherboard would seem to be the solution.  Following are some sources for a Motherboard but further searching internet might be adviseable:

1.  You can call Dell for a parts price quote at:  (800) 822-8965

2.  http://www.nobleowl.com/products.asp?product_id=6864838046

3.  http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELG1548FOPW&eq=&Tp=

As always when considering parts replacement I suggest that consideration be made towards the purchase of New Equipement.  Overall cost and equipment quality may be cheaper with New Equipment than repair action.  Dell is having some good sales as follows:

 http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/odg_special49?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Hope this Helps!!!

Well ... one good thing about the 2400 ==> unlike many Dells, it uses a standard ATX power supply.  So you can replace the motherboard with any ATX unit without having to also replace the power supply.   I would NOT buy another 2400 motherboard -- you may as well get a board with an AGP slot if you're going to replace it.

I agree with the fact that this motherboard is crap.  I have replaced about 10 of them so far with this particular model.  But the issue with putting another board (non Dell) is that the original xp disk won't work.

Here's a nice little board for $50 with onboard sound and video and an AGP slot so you have the option of better/faster video:  http://www.directron.com/ga8s661fxmprz.html

The downside of using a non-Dell motherboard is that when you call M'Soft to re-activate XP they MAY give you a hassle (since it's a Dell OEM XP with a non-Dell motherboard).  From what I've read, they'll do it (just point out that all you did was replaced the motherboard), but it is a risk.

My experience has been no.  But I do agree that another board would be a better solution.  Thanks for all the help.