The usb keyboard works fine when the pc starts up. But the momant winxp starts keyboard doesn't work. It detects the kb and it asks me it install the drivers but I cannot use the kb to install them. And yes the usb is enabled in the bios. Anyone got a answer? I was thinging maybe a ps/2 kb might help.

In most cases a perfectly functioning PC develops a new problem following a software or hardware event. It is the detailed search for such events that leads towards the diagnosis. So, the first few questions one has to ask when confronted with any PC symptom are: 1. Has there been any addition or removal of any software in the system? [That includes any programs including Antivirus, Firewall, Windows Updates etc etc] 2. Consider accidental entry of Virus/Worms/Trojans/Malware as Software change to the system .[ Therefore the right question to ask: Do I have adequate protection against such malicious software and are those protection current?] 3. Has there been any Installation or Removal of any hardware in the System. As you know, hardware install requires Drivers and if they are missing or if they are not compatible with the system not only the device that is installed but others already in the system can also malfunction. 4. Unexpected Power failure or Power surge must be included in the causation of unexplained Computer symptom. So the best way to ask Question for help in a Forum is to give all such information as clearly as possible in the form of positive or negative responses. Example: "I have not installed any new software or hardware and no removal of software or hardware preceded the symptom. I don't have any Current Anti-virus or Firewall program and the symptom followed downloading of an attachment I got by email"] With this kind of approach either you can solve the problem yourself or makes the troubleshooter's work simpler by not having to ask a lot of questions delaying the problem resolution. If things are not clear despite the above approach, try Restoring the PC to the date it was normal last. M

try going to start, all programs, accessories, accessibility, on-screen keyboard

That is the problam kio. I cannot use my usb mouse or my usb kb. Maad, I did remove my only primery hdd and put a new one in. When try to format it with fdisk, the kb didn't respond. So I put in my old hdd back in and it works when pc starts up. I can go into the biso... But it winxp the kb just doesn't want to respond. And btw I cannot seem to see where the mose course is.

TomClancy, 1.These must be Brand named KBD & Mouse and knowing their Make & Model might help us to figure out why the KBD did not work in FDISK screen; Mouse not working is understandable as it is in DOS. 2. Your newer post raises more interesting questions and some suggestion based on guesswork with the posted information a. Why did you remove the HDD containing the Operating System , WinXP and install a "New Hard Disk Drive" (apparently as Master in Primary IDE Controller)?. b. What was the rationale to use FDISK to Format the newly Inserted HDD instead of a WinXP Bootable CD? C. Is the original WinXP installation in the "Old HDD" in NTFS or FAT32? ************************************** If all you want is to Format the "Newly Installed HDD" here are some suggestions. 1.Reinstall old HDD as Master. 2.Make the new HDD's jumper to SLAVE and reconnect to the Slave IDE Connector. Don't forget to insert Power Connectors:-) 3.Recable the PC and Boot the System. 4. Check the BIOS Setup to ensure 2nd HDD is recognized [IDE Auto> Enabled]and press F10 to Save and Exit. 5. Access 2nd HDD in WinXP and Format. If your problem is that you want FAT32 and you cannot Format using WinXP, using the Make and Model of the new HDD> Manufacturer site> Download Disk Utilities [ Example Western Digital HDD -> Data Life Guard Tools, Seagate> Disk Wizard etc]and use them to Format. M

Thanks for your help guys. But I went out and bought myself a used ps/2 keyboard for $1.50 and fixed the problam with new kb. Stupid USB kbs are crap.