No keyboards will work - not even in Safe mode

Problem occurs regardless of being a PS2 or USB keyboard

Did u try usb keyboard ?
check to see weather its a keyboard problem or os problem

i didn't refresh
sorry

It's definitely an OS issue

The problem may be in win.ini or the system.ini
Do u have the backup of that file.

Check BIOS to see if it says keyboard is installed, it can be set to Installed or None.

In BIOS for keyboard there is only an option for Auto or Present. I have tried both.
I don't have a backup of either .ini file

Try this
Using the recovery console from the XP install CD, copy the following 5 files from the C:\windows\repair location (the backup files) into C:\windows\system32\conf (the actual location).
Note:Before u proceed backup the five files from the C:\windows\system32\conf
 
               Sam
               Security
               Default
               Software
               System


And see if it works

Does it matter that it's not the same Win XP disk that came with PC?

No probs you just want to go to recovery console

Can I be silly and ask how I'm gonna back up these files when I can't login to Windows?

My dear, put your windows xp cd as first boot device  and go to recovery console
if u don't know how to go to recovery console, follow this steps
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/recovery_run_console.mspx?mfr=true

Hope this help
Best of Luck

I've nevery used recovery console before. Can I get step by step instructions please

Follow the above link

I'm in recovery console but I don't know what to do from there. I'll read Microsoft's steps

do u see windows prompt
c:\windows>

yes I do

ok do this exactly
cd windows \system32\config
mkdir backup
copy Sam   sam.bak
 copy Security  security.bak
copy  Default    default.bak
copy  Software  software.bak
copy  System   system.bak


cd ..
c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\repair\Sam  c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\repair\security  c:\windows\system32\security
copy c:\windows\system32\repair\default  c:\windows\system32\default
copy c:\windows\system32\repair\software  c:\windows\system32\software
copy c:\windows\system32\repair\system  c:\windows\system32\system


It will prompt u for overwrite, say yes

get back to u after lunch

i m back

I was able to back up but when I went to next stage, it says it cannat find the specified file

sorry its
copy c:\windows\repair\Sam  c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\repair\security  c:\windows\system32\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default  c:\windows\system32\default
copy c:\windows\repair\software  c:\windows\system32\software
copy c:\windows\repair\system  c:\windows\system32\system

all seemed to go ok except the last one - system. It says it cannot find the specified file

May be that file is hidden.Do this
c:\windows\repair>dir/ah
c:\windows\repair>attrib -R -A -S -H system
c:\windows\repair>dir
system file should be there

can u let me know, what is the make of ur keyboard and model number

Hi,
Make a repair installation using your CD. This option is available after you press F8 when you run Windows XP setup from the CD.

it doesn't matter what keyboard is connected. I've tried about 3 or 4 different ones. PS2 and USB

c:\windows\repair>dir/ah
c:\windows\repair>attrib -R -A -S -H system
c:\windows\repair>dir

These commands weren't recognised.

Howdy Teresa_B
Forgive me if this sounds like a dumb question, but you are completely powering off the system when unplugging keyboard and plugging back in? Have you tried killing power to the system completely?  I mean unplug it from the wall, and then plug in new keyboard.

Happy New Year!
Jappo
Any questions, just Holler! It's how we communicate in the mountains <smile>

Have u shared any drive or folder on this pc before?If yes, than boot ur faulty pc to normal mode.Go to other pc. Copy the system file from other pc and paste it in the shared drive of faulty pc.Than reboot ur faulty pc to recovery console and copy system file from the shared folder to c:\windows\system\config

Thanks for tips so far but I have completely powered off PC - transferring from customer's house to mine.

I can't log in to Windows XP Pro because of keyboard.

But now...

I had started following instruction from ibu1 regarding using recovery console but the list of instructions has stopped - probably due to time zones etc.
But I'm halfway thru process of repairing system files but I don't know what to do. See above coz that's where I get stuck. ibu1 I've never shared files or drive on this PC before.

PC now comes up with Security Analysis error lsass.exe because of faulty device Windows can't start - try Safe mode. But when I try safe mode the same message appears. Probably because I need to repair files.
This is getting messy - maybe I'm better off formatting hard drive... :(

That error came coz system file still not repaired.The only option left is  to repair windows.Repair windows is equal to reinstall windows.Remember,it will remove all program from ur pc.As u r new, the below link will show u the visual aid for how to repair windows
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/
Search the word "How to Repair Install" in this windows

I keep getting BSOD now. I've tried putting in boot disks but because the system/config files are corrupt or missing - nothing works. I'm not even sure how I can format hard drive as my easiest option.

Nothing works.

This document guide u how to format hard-disk and install windows xp
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348

Sorry ibu1 but none of that helps me.

keep getting BSOD now. I've tried putting in boot disks but because the system/config files are corrupt or missing - nothing works. I'm not even sure how I can format hard drive as my easiest option

Assuming you have pc set to boot to cd, you should be able to boot to xp cd, and run setup, it will give you the option to delete the partition, which you want to do, then after deleting the partition you can recreate one in the unpartitioned space, and windows will format it for you, use ntfs, and I recommend not doing quick format.
These instructions assume that you have backed up any data you don't want to lose first?
If not stop, backup, if you need help holler.
Jappo

Try the USB kb

Make ur cd as first boot device and proceed with format

I ended up using killdisk to format hard drive because of instructions weren't exactly accurate and affected system files.

You can delete this since the suggestions given to help resolve my problem.

Please follow the instructions in the link I've posted above, it explains how to properly close this Q.

Thanks.

Teresa_B

Have you followed the instructions for closing this Q?

Thanks,
rindi,
EE Cleanup Volunteer