[johnebadbak]

if you have old ps2 keyboard use that till you solve the usb problem.. It seems that restore points for the os are not in good order, windows is broke,and you can't get any where trying to fix broken software with broken software..

you need to enter the bios and reset the bios to default or safe settings..
also check the usb menu is 'enabled" in the bios as well.

don't forget you mentioned you tried to update the bios setting..this may have had some influence on the motherboard bios settings..as long as you cancelled the bios setup when the error message stated that you had the wrong bios update. everything should still be operating with the original bios settings

At this point in time if it was my machine i would be doing a clean install of xp
that means format of "C" drive and a clean xp os installed.
if you have access to usb chip or external HDD drive backup "my documents" and any other data you want to save.

[willmck]

John, yes, good ideas. I have been trying to figure out how to get into the BIOS without a functioning keyboard hooked up to press the requisite F1. We have no other type of keyboard here. I think you are exactly right, I messed up the BIOS and also the HID ports software and USB keyboard. I have finished doing everything else restoring the computer, so access to the BIOS and correcting the settings there, or just clicking 'restore defaults' - but I have not been able to figure out how to gain access to the BIOS without keyboard! I may have to do the full clean install from my older XP install disk but I'm not sure how it would work out with the second hard disk for restore in HP pavilion. If that is the only way to save the machine - or to determine once and for all if getting new equipment is necessary, then I will do it; I have put too much time and effort into applying my admittedly meager knowledge into this project that has gone on for almost two weeks, all day each day! A technically proficiant person could, I'm sure resolve this in person in an hour or less. Arrrrg! - Will

[johnebadbak]

key board and the mouse are your inputs to the pc.. you should be able to get a ps2 keyboard or there are adaptors usb to ps2 cheap to buy.. your local computer shop. then you can use the usb keyboard..

[willmck]

Many thanks to all who helped with good suggestions. I can't explain how, excatly, I completed the repair, but it involved finally getting another keyboard, with which I sharpened and cleaned up the whole machine and it is working faster and pretty doggone good! Ah the feeling of finally accomplishing something! Meanwhile, this adventure gtives me the excuse I needed to get myself a new keyboard! I gave mine to my sister, and she is happy with her repaired machine; and I got a basic and very nice new keyboard for my computer. So, I forget where the 'solved' key is... but maybe someone can do that for me...

Thanks so much! I am grateful to you!

Will