Password/keyboard entry not working

[jaypoole]

Last night following a power cut I experienced a problem with my PC at home (with Windows 98 OS).

On restarting the computer, it prompted me as usual for my windows password but when entering it I noticed that only a few of the key presses were detected and produced a */asterix in the password field. This meant that I had to cancel the windows password to gain access to the PC. Because of this I can't access my emails/internet because my personal is not there. If I click on email/internet it initiates the freeserve setup wizard which came with my Packard Bell PC.

I tried to see what I could find for myself, opened control panel and ran diagnostics. I juyst ran the manual diagnostics on the keyboard where you press each key in turn to see if it is recognised. When I did this it appeared that all the keys were mixed up - in terms of what the system thought I was pressing. Most keys were read as some other character/number while some keys weren't registering anything when pressed.

Does anyone know how what may have happened to the keyboard and the recognition of the keys and how I can try to get it back?

thanks,

Jay

 

[mudskipper]

You might try booting to a boot floppy first, and then when in dos, just start hitting some of the problem keys. Problem still there?

Try another keyboard. If that does not fix the problem, then unfortunately, it looks like the keyboard controller on the motherboard is dead.

If you have a packard bell, then your motherboard is
A)not likely to be under any kind of warranty
B)not likely standard, and therefore cannot just be replaced at any PC shop. (A couple of PB MBs were mostly standard, but don't count on it--a PC shop could tell you within 30 seconds of looking at it)

Since you are running windows 98, and IF you have USB ports on that computer, then try a USB keyboard. This often works great for motherboards with a blown keyboard controller Mudskipper
___________________________________________________________________________________

Groucho said it best- "A four year-old child could understand this! Quick! Run out and find me a four year-old child: I can't make heads nor tails out of this!"

 

[jaypoole]

Thanks for the tip.. Hopefully if it is the controller, I might be able to claim for a new one as I bought a surge protected power distribution strip which the PC was plugged into. It is supposed to give automatic insurance for any damage caused by spikes etc - just a case of trying to prove a power cut caused it if that is what it turns out to be.

 

[scottdfs]

jaypoole,
have you checked in control panel to make sure the correct keyboard is selected? check under keyboard language to make sure english united states 101 is the language you are using.

 

[mudskipper]

Scottdfs has a good suggestion....

If, after booting to a floppy, the keyboard appears fine, then this is a great setting to check! I only reiterate this because by booting to a floppy, you will know right away if windows is even an issue!!

Good luck, by the way--and please post back so that we know what it was! Mudskipper
___________________________________________________________________________________

Groucho said it best- "A four year-old child could understand this! Quick! Run out and find me a four year-old child: I can't make heads nor tails out of this!"