My Dell Dimension 8200 running XP Home will not boot to BIOS or SAFE MODE from F2, F11, F12, DEL, F1, F8 or by holding any key down to induce locked key instance. I cannot get into bios or safe mode. I got the computer in 1991 and it has been this way for as long as I can remember. The computer will not boot from a floppy but it will boot from my Acronis TruImage boot disc, which I have used twice in the past two weeks to restore an image of my C: drive after the system crashed.

I think there is something seriously wrong with my registry or bios and would like to repair it. The only XP disc I have is the Home Edition Reinstallation CD. When I insert it (after the computer is running) and view the options I see no option to scan the registry or repair XP and it says it cannot install XP (not that I want to do a clean install) because I have a newer version than the one on the disc. I do have SP2, is that what it means by a newer version?

What are my options to diagnose and repair the registry and/or bios?

Thanks.

Hi Klimshelf, welcome to PCHF.

err, 1991? Your PC is 17 years old? Running Windows XP? ek

If it's a Dimention 8200, then it sounds to me like you have a USB keyboard connected. If you want to use that keyboard outside of Windows XP, then you should have a PS2 keyboard connected. These older PC's cannot detect USB devices at a BIOS level.

Oops, I meant 2001, so it's only 7 years old. Yes, the keyboard is USB. I think I have a PS2 keyboard from another computer I can try. Thanks for your help.

No prob's, let us know how the ps2 keyboard goes.

Thanks, MM, you know your stuff! A most simple, painless and elegant solution. I could picture other "experts" having me do a reinstall of Windows to solve this problem (I speak from experience...).

Case closed and kudos to this forum. Long live the internet.

Any time Klim. Marked as Resolved