Arrow keys don't work on Windows Error Recovery screen.
Hello,
My computer's power cord was accidentally dislodged just as my desktop was loading and of course shut the system down. After securing the power and rebooting, the system went to the Windows Error Recovery screen, allowing two options for progress: Start Up Repair (this option was highlighted) or Start Normally. Since I knew that there wasn't really a problem, I just want to skip to 'start normally' but the arrow keys and the Enter button don't do anything while on this screen, meaning when I press them to scroll up or down nothing happens. Or at other times when Windows shuts down poorly and comes to this screen with "Start Normally" highlighted, pressing the Enter key does nothing and I have to wait the 25 seconds for it to proceed on its own.
I've had this problem for awhile (years) but it hasn't bothered me until this morning. Not being able to choose a normal start-up, the system went into error recovery mode.....trying to repair 'errors' for 2 hours. I tried to cancel it after 1 hour but was told that this process could not be cancelled. When it was done it came up with "No Root Cause" allowed me to click finish and it booted up normally.
I want to see if I can fix the problem of no navigation on this screen. Here's what I have in my system:
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1
MoBo:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8500
PSU:
SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS G
Memory:
ADATA 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
GPU:
MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5
Main HDD: (OS and programs)
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLHX 300GB 10000 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Storage HDD: (all stored data)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
I have 2 Monitors and an Evoluent 4 USB mouse and Kinesis Freestyle (mine is an older model, not the '2' in the link) USB keyboard.
I mention the keyboard and mouse because the only forum convo that I found on the web that was remotely close to my issue made note that when a keyboard with ps/2 connector was used, the author was able to use the arrow and enter keys in the ER screen. As I mentioned, I've had this problem for years and I've had my Kenesis keyboard for 4 years, but I can't honestly say that the problem began after the keyboard switch--I used to have a plain old Micorsoft K-board with a ps/2 connector. And I'm not going back :)
I don't even know if the keyboard is an issue in my case but I would like to solve this issue if possible.
Thanks,
Ana
My computer's power cord was accidentally dislodged just as my desktop was loading and of course shut the system down. After securing the power and rebooting, the system went to the Windows Error Recovery screen, allowing two options for progress: Start Up Repair (this option was highlighted) or Start Normally. Since I knew that there wasn't really a problem, I just want to skip to 'start normally' but the arrow keys and the Enter button don't do anything while on this screen, meaning when I press them to scroll up or down nothing happens. Or at other times when Windows shuts down poorly and comes to this screen with "Start Normally" highlighted, pressing the Enter key does nothing and I have to wait the 25 seconds for it to proceed on its own.
I've had this problem for awhile (years) but it hasn't bothered me until this morning. Not being able to choose a normal start-up, the system went into error recovery mode.....trying to repair 'errors' for 2 hours. I tried to cancel it after 1 hour but was told that this process could not be cancelled. When it was done it came up with "No Root Cause" allowed me to click finish and it booted up normally.
I want to see if I can fix the problem of no navigation on this screen. Here's what I have in my system:
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1
MoBo:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8500
PSU:
SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS G
Memory:
ADATA 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
GPU:
MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5
Main HDD: (OS and programs)
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLHX 300GB 10000 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Storage HDD: (all stored data)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
I have 2 Monitors and an Evoluent 4 USB mouse and Kinesis Freestyle (mine is an older model, not the '2' in the link) USB keyboard.
I mention the keyboard and mouse because the only forum convo that I found on the web that was remotely close to my issue made note that when a keyboard with ps/2 connector was used, the author was able to use the arrow and enter keys in the ER screen. As I mentioned, I've had this problem for years and I've had my Kenesis keyboard for 4 years, but I can't honestly say that the problem began after the keyboard switch--I used to have a plain old Micorsoft K-board with a ps/2 connector. And I'm not going back :)
I don't even know if the keyboard is an issue in my case but I would like to solve this issue if possible.
Thanks,
Ana
Robert Retzer
I would reboot the computer with another keyboard plugged in, or try reseating the cable to the computer, as it is possible when the power cable was accidentally dislodged the keyboard cable may have been dislodged as well. When ever a ps2 keyboard is plugged in the computer has to be restarted in order to detect it. If you have a usb keyboard you can plug it in when the computer is running and windows should automatically detect it and install drivers for it.
ASKER
Thanks for your comments...
however, the problem is ages old. If you go back to my original you'll see It has nothing to do with the the loss of power this morning. I haven't had a ps/2 keyboard plugged in for about 4 years. Also when I plugged in the power cord I did check to make sure everything else sticking into my box was secure as well.
This is more of a system issue. I'm just not sure where to begin to try and solve it as I'm not a tech. I've only built my own computers and as they have issues, I come here to get help in solving them.
Ana
however, the problem is ages old. If you go back to my original you'll see It has nothing to do with the the loss of power this morning. I haven't had a ps/2 keyboard plugged in for about 4 years. Also when I plugged in the power cord I did check to make sure everything else sticking into my box was secure as well.
This is more of a system issue. I'm just not sure where to begin to try and solve it as I'm not a tech. I've only built my own computers and as they have issues, I come here to get help in solving them.
Ana
The reason I asked to to restart your computer so that the keyboard would be detected properly. When ever you plug a keyboard into a different usb port your operating system of your computer has to install keyboard drivers for the keyboard for that specific port. If you unplug your keyboard and plug it into a different usb port your keyboard may not work for a few seconds because windows has to catchup and install drivers for that specific port. If you do not have a standard keyboard or have a keyboard with more specialized keys, then it may take a few seconds longer before the keyboard is usable. But then you may say how come the keyboard works fine in the bios??? This is because the standard basic keyboard drivers are loaded, which means only some of the keys on the keyboard work.
The only reason I mentioned using a ps2 keyboard is because you used one in the past, and I was assuming you may still be using a ps2 keyboard. In order for a ps2 keyboard to work the computer must be restarted with the ps2 keyboard plugged in, otherwise the ps2 keyboard will not work at all.
If you have been having intermittent problems with your keyboard.... maybe it is because you plugged your keyboard in a different usb port hoping that the keyboard will work immediately. You need to plug it in the usb port and wait upto 30 seconds or more for windows to install the keyboard drivers.
This is on the side for troubleshooting keyboard issues: Do you use a wireless keyboard?? maybe you need to change the batteries, or maybe the receiver for the keyboard is not plugged in or maybe you plugged the wireless receiver in another port to try to get the keyboard to work. Some wireless receivers have a button you press to recognize the keyboard. You did not mention that you have a wireless keyboard so I am now assuming you just have a plain usb keyboard. If you use a wireless keyboard when in a windows repair mode many times a wireless keyboard does not work properly, and you should use a wired keyboard until the problem is resolved.
The only reason I mentioned using a ps2 keyboard is because you used one in the past, and I was assuming you may still be using a ps2 keyboard. In order for a ps2 keyboard to work the computer must be restarted with the ps2 keyboard plugged in, otherwise the ps2 keyboard will not work at all.
If you have been having intermittent problems with your keyboard.... maybe it is because you plugged your keyboard in a different usb port hoping that the keyboard will work immediately. You need to plug it in the usb port and wait upto 30 seconds or more for windows to install the keyboard drivers.
This is on the side for troubleshooting keyboard issues: Do you use a wireless keyboard?? maybe you need to change the batteries, or maybe the receiver for the keyboard is not plugged in or maybe you plugged the wireless receiver in another port to try to get the keyboard to work. Some wireless receivers have a button you press to recognize the keyboard. You did not mention that you have a wireless keyboard so I am now assuming you just have a plain usb keyboard. If you use a wireless keyboard when in a windows repair mode many times a wireless keyboard does not work properly, and you should use a wired keyboard until the problem is resolved.
ASKER
My current keyboard is connected by USB and has been plugged directly into the same port for 4 years (no hub). Prior to that I did have a basic Microsoft ps/2 keyboard. I understand the basics of connecting both ps/2 and usb peripherals and all of the keys on my current board work properly once Windows has loaded. I don't have any intermittent problems with the keyboard outside of the issue we are discussing.
I rebooted this morning and watched the keyboard throughout the process. When I first turn on the computer the mouse and keyboard light up. There is a space of time just after the black start up screen and when the 'Starting Windows' screen appears where the power light on the keyboard turns off, but the mouse does not. The Keyboard resumes power just as the desktop is loading.
So it seems that the keyboard isn't getting power for a short period of time during the boot process and if the start up screen goes to the error recovery screen instead of continuing on to Windows start up, then my keyboard is stuck without power.
Is there something in BIOS that can be enabled/disabled to correct this? Or some other solution?
I rebooted this morning and watched the keyboard throughout the process. When I first turn on the computer the mouse and keyboard light up. There is a space of time just after the black start up screen and when the 'Starting Windows' screen appears where the power light on the keyboard turns off, but the mouse does not. The Keyboard resumes power just as the desktop is loading.
So it seems that the keyboard isn't getting power for a short period of time during the boot process and if the start up screen goes to the error recovery screen instead of continuing on to Windows start up, then my keyboard is stuck without power.
Is there something in BIOS that can be enabled/disabled to correct this? Or some other solution?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Ok....
Thank you so much for this information. I will check in the BIOS and see if the number light is turned on or not. Also I do have my old ps/2 keyboard tucked away as a backup somewhere, so if I run into the Error Recovery screen situation again, I'll plug in that one.
What section in the Bios will I find the option to turn on the number led? I peeked in the bios yesterday and noticed that 'USB legacy keyboard' was disabled so I enabled it. I haven't had the ER screen show up yet to test if this change altered the key board function, but I don't remember seeing a "number led" option, although I wasn't looking for it at that point either... Is there a way to show the ER screen without having an error?
Thank you so much for this information. I will check in the BIOS and see if the number light is turned on or not. Also I do have my old ps/2 keyboard tucked away as a backup somewhere, so if I run into the Error Recovery screen situation again, I'll plug in that one.
What section in the Bios will I find the option to turn on the number led? I peeked in the bios yesterday and noticed that 'USB legacy keyboard' was disabled so I enabled it. I haven't had the ER screen show up yet to test if this change altered the key board function, but I don't remember seeing a "number led" option, although I wasn't looking for it at that point either... Is there a way to show the ER screen without having an error?
ASKER
Wasn't able to find any reference to number led in BIOS, but I'm Ok with the solution of just swapping out the keyboard if I run into this issue again.
Thanks again for your help and information
Ana
Thanks again for your help and information
Ana
many computers have the choice of having the system boot with the number led lit up, but not all systems, unfortunately yours obviously does not. I hope swapping out the keyboard was able to help you. Sorry I could not be of more assistance. thanks for awarding me the points. I think it was more of the older computers that had to choice to have the number led lit up upon booting as the newer systems it is turned on by default and no settings to change. Note if the number led is lit the arrow keys associated with those number will be numbers, if the number led is off those number keys will function as arrows, home, pgup, pgdn, end, etc. You may note this on the keys on the number pad keys. Most keyboards have separate arrow keys and the above mentioned keys.
ASKER
You're welcome and I appreciate your help. I use a specialized keyboard and this may just be one of the quirks that go along with it. As I mentioned earlier, this is the first time that not being able to use the arrow keys on the ER screen was a real problem, and now I know to hang on to my ps/2 keyboard for a time in the future when it may be needed.
Thanks again and All the Best!
Ana
Thanks again and All the Best!
Ana