Hello!

I'm currently trying to fix a friends computer, which is displaying the DOS screen 'Windows failed to start- last know good configuration, safe mode start windows normally' etc. (I'm running XP) For some reason, the keyboard is failing to work. It is not a wireless or USB keyboard, and connects with the regular purple connector. He says he's had no previous trouble with the keyboard. Would this be a fault with the keyboard, or the connection to the PC? (I am currently in the buisness of borrowing another keyboard from somewhere to test the former) or would it more likely be a driver problem? Is there a way to reboot without the keyboard? And if the connection to the stack needs fixing, are they cheap and could i do it myself? (I consider myself resonabably technically minded.)
Thanks for any help!

Hello Phillip, Welcome to the forum!

We have a great team of techs here and a very helpful community so I am sure we can help you!

I think the best idea is to try the replacement keyboard first to rule out the obvious, however I have marked your thread as open to encourage a tech to look and give you advice on your other questions

Someone will be with you as soon as they can

Regards,

Smokeycheech

Hello

Some K/B, -especially on older DELL systems-appear to confuse the K/B port with the one for the Mouse occasionally.

Is the light on the K/B on?
Try connecting the K/B on the green port.
Try resetting the CMOS.

Thanks for the advice so far gents!
I've tried switching ports, to no avail. The keyboard lights don't seem to be lighting up. I'm still in the process of hunting another keyboard, so please be patient with me gents!

On another note, i seem to have foolishly misspelt my name in my username! Its Phillip, not Phiilp. I'm not sure how i managed to be that backward, but there you go!