"F8 = I agree" Fails

[tjacobs34]

Hi all,

I had the SMART error message last week right before my hard drive crashed. Installed a new Western Digital over the weekend and started installing Windows XP Home last night. I got as far as the Terms & Conditions with the options of F8 = I agree, ESC = I don't agree...I have hit the F8 key to no end and nothing happens. How can I get past this?

tj

 

[Auger282]

try a different keyboard..
check the pins on the keyboard plugging into the back..
check the plug on the computer to make sure there arent any broken pins stuck inside...

I would think its a hardware issue

 

[Kommercial]

What keyboard do you have? Some keyboards have so many functions that you can't use the "Function" keys until you hit that function button on your keyboard.

Basically, buy a basic keyboard if you don't already have one. If you do have one that won't work, try another one. Check the pins in both, the PC, and the connector.

 

[allteltec]

USB Key board is my guess, No USB untill Windows boots, Get a PS2 keyboard.

 

[bcastner]

What BIOS settings are available to you for USB devices?

Often flipping the setting in the BIOS can help. If set to support legacy USB devices, try disabling this.

If you BIOS offers no support options for USB at all, I agree with the thoughts above that a PS/2 keyboard will be required during installation.

 

[linney]

How to Perform an Unattended Installation of Windows from a CD-ROM

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314459

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/deployment/implementing/unattended.asp

 

[tjacobs34]

Thanks for the suggestions. The keyboard is not a USB but it is a wireless and the function keys do look like they could have about a half dozen uses by all of the different symbols on each.

The ESC and arrow keys worked so I initially didn't think it was a hardware problem.

I am going to take my plain old cheap keyboard home from work today and see if that will work. If not I will be back. This board is so great! :->

 

[Happo]

I was a little confused by the same problem myself once with a "Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard" (USB).

After a bit of head scratching I found the 'F Lock' key (Function Key Lock) on the top right hand side, once pressed this enables the function keys which are otherwise used for everything from spellchecking and printing to making lunch, teleportation and remapping the human genome

Daniel.

 

[bcastner]

Happo,

Darn, I have to get me one of those keyboards.

 

[Auger282]

s'all about the F-Lock key

 

[smah]

My guess was F-lock as well. For all the keyboards that I have used that have this feature, the default always seems to be Off.

 

[tjacobs34]

Thanks! It was the f-lock key! I hate it when I can't figure it out and it ends up being something so simple. Have a good night!

tj