One for the computer tech savy

[Fencer]

My wifes computer.

A Dell desktop.

It was running slow, so I did the re-boot thing which usually works (along with the normal cleanup, defrag etc.)

Upon re-boot. It no longer recognizes the keyboard or mouse.(except in safe mode XP - OS)

keyboard also recognized in bios so keyboard and mouse are good.

Things already tried:

swap keyboard and mouse with diff puter (yep they work fine)

(remember everything works in safe mode)

Reload XP - prob not solved.

Virus scan - AVG antivirus, full updates, clean scan (twice)

defrag, cleanup.

win update

Whack the whole thing and start again including Fdisk, full format and XP reload.

Mouse and keyboard work past point when asked to check box for Lic agreement. takes a dump when asked to enter workgroup / computer name info. Hard to enter that stuff with no keyboard.

This is before the screen that even asks for the MS verification code, so I can't be putting in a wrong code

Ideas?

 

[ponyfool]

Dude, you got a Dell!

Just kidding. I tried to find something witty, but that just didn't happen this time. Sorry.

Assuming it has the PS2 type connections for keyboard and mouse, have you tried a USB keyboard or mouse?

 

[jwilly]

Model or Dell Service Tag?

 

[Fencer]

Model or Dell Service Tag?

Sorry, Dell was the laptop she broke.

Emachines T2542

BTW,

JW,

When r u gonna come get that shock?

 

[twowheelnut]

Open window, grab computer and peripherals and toss out open window. Hopefully, it is a 2nd floor window. Better, if said second floor window was above a lake.

Not techy, but that's my solution to ****** up modern technology.

 

[jwilly]

Bad motherboard! Your not the only one with this problem either....

What do I win? Let me guess, OEM rear shock and the opportunity to fix your computer?

JW

 

[Ari Rankum]

The easiest fix is to re-install one more time, this time with Linux

I was thinking MBR virus, which isn't necessarily cleaned up by fdisk. But your re-install should have overwritten all of that if you booted from CDROM. You didn't try to save any part of the prior install, did you? You didn't say, use the Dell rebuild partition, did you?

The machine that works in safe mode but not otherwise is kind of scary and hints at an infection.

Got a spare drive hanging around somewhere? If so, I'd disconnect the Dell from any networks, shut it off, R&R the drive, and start over, off the network. If it comes back up, what you got on your other drive is some interesting malware.

Joo make a lots of money or somepin?

 

[Fencer]

Got a spare drive hanging around somewhere?

actually,yes. And I had just had that same thought as I remembered an 80 gig in the drawer.

I guess that will put it back to the MB as JW suggests (ifn it dun work)

You can tell when it dies as XP loads. all the lights on the keyboard go out.

 

[wfooshee]

Not helpful, but I've never known a repeat eMachine customer. . . .

First thing that comes to mind is chipset- or mobo-specific drivers, which jwilly addressed as bad motherboard. May not be bad, just unknown. The XP CD may not have what it needs built in, and unless you're using the CD package that came with the PC, as opposed to a generic retail Windows CD, you may not have the drivers you need automatically.

Trouble with that is that these days many vendors don't supply you with CDs, they install a utility for you to burn your own. If you haven't done that before wiping and reloading, then you're almost SOL. eMachine's web site may have some goodies for you to download, but you won't be able to run the setups in Safe Mode, so you may be in for yet another reload, this time adding the drivers you downloaded.

 

[kurtfriedrich]

My wifes computer.
A Dell desktop.

It was running slow, so I did the re-boot thing which usually works (along with the normal cleanup, defrag etc.)

Upon re-boot. It no longer recognizes the keyboard or mouse.(except in safe mode XP - OS)

keyboard also recognized in bios so keyboard and mouse are good.

Things already tried:

swap keyboard and mouse with diff puter (yep they work fine)

(remember everything works in safe mode)

Reload XP - prob not solved.

Virus scan - AVG antivirus, full updates, clean scan (twice)

defrag, cleanup.

win update

Whack the whole thing and start again including Fdisk, full format and XP reload.

Mouse and keyboard work past point when asked to check box for Lic agreement. takes a dump when asked to enter workgroup / computer name info. Hard to enter that stuff with no keyboard.

This is before the screen that even asks for the MS verification code, so I can't be putting in a wrong code

Ideas?

wild ass guess. You have conflicting drivers (trying to use the same driver address, etc) which is mabe why it works in safe mode. but some driver that gets loaded in reg mode is stepping on your addresses. My advice is to try a USB mouse and keyboard, and see if they work.

Kurt

 

[Fencer]

Bad motherboard! Your not the only one with this problem either....
What do I win? Let me guess, OEM rear shock and the opportunity to fix your computer?

JW

OK, you get the prize. I'll have to conceed a bad MB. It locked up in the same spot with a diff hard drive. But if a bad MB, why work several times in safe mode while troubleshooting, work once or twice when not (fooling me into thinkink I fixed it) and always work in BIOS?

Kurt-

I hear you on the conflicts, but this is a base machine with no add on or changes. very little software. My wife uses it for ebay and email. no changes done to it to create a conflict from factory settings. (plus I don't have a USB mouse or keybord - out of 5 puters in the house) :blink:

 

[Zorlac]

Bad stick of RAM?

 

[uctofeej]

The easiest fix is to re-install one more time, this time with Linux

Yep, Suse 10.2 here. So easy, even I could install and run it!

I hear you on the conflicts, but this is a base machine with no add on or changes. very little software. no changes done to it to create a conflict from factory settings.

Two issues that might render your statement irrelevant: 1) It's an eMachine 2) It's an eMachine running Microsoft Windows. I've had this setup before and can assure you that "magical" changes happen regardless of whether you load new software.

What does it say in the device manager? Any issues showing there? What happens when you uninstall the mouse/keyboard from the DM and reboot?

 

[Fencer]

Bad stick of RAM?

Showed ok

What does it say in the device manager? Any issues showing there? What happens when you uninstall the mouse/keyboard from the DM and reboot?

It did show ok. But, since whacking the machine and being stalled in the reload safe mode is gone. That duck is dead.

 

[Ari Rankum]

Bad stick of RAM?

Showed ok

What does it say in the device manager? Any issues showing there? What happens when you uninstall the mouse/keyboard from the DM and reboot?

It did show ok. But, since whacking the machine and being stalled in the reload safe mode is gone. That duck is dead.

Got another machine and a high-speed connection? You may just want to try one of the LiveCD distros of Linux. Seriously. You can boot it from the CD-ROM without installing to disk and just see if it happens to yield a machine with functional keyboard and mouse. Given what SWMBO is using the machine for, it's a great opportunity for a test drive of Linux.

Clicky.

 

[v65]

You are probably in the red on your opportunity cost. Take the time you have invested in fixing the computer and use it to earn money; you will come out ahead after you buy the new computer.

 

[jwilly]

You are probably in the red on your opportunity cost. Take the time you have invested in fixing the computer and use it to earn money; you will come out ahead after you buy the new computer.

I think thats a valid point, however Fencer is not the type of person to just say it quit and give up. For a guy that rams around on a Bobcat and builds Fences all day he's pretty technical.

Now don't get me wrong, when it comes to riding motorcycles in the rain he's a complete puss!! When the radar starts showing activity you can count on him to be inside eating Chocolate covered Cherries and and watching Judge Judy!!

JW

 

[uctofeej]

Now don't get me wrong, when it comes to riding motorcycles in the rain he's a complete puss!! When the radar starts showing activity you can count on him to be inside eating Chocolate covered Cherries and and watching Judge Judy!!
JW

Wait a minute! That's how I found the time to learn linux... well, that and the cable tv was out that day due to weather.

 

[Calimus]

Here's another thought. I'm guessing that the current Keyboard is ps/2 style connection (small round plug). Go pick up a nice cheap ($10-$15) USB keyboard and plug that in rather then the current. If this works, then there ya go. I can't say for certain that the MB is bad as a whole, but it certainly sounds like maybe there is a issue with the i/o controller when it actually come to being driven by software. This is why it's working when your in the bios and other area's before the OS fully loads.

So a USB keyboard could buy you some time, but overall, get off that box as soon as you can.