I'm fairly low tech, so please bear with me. My laptop had a virus, so I virus scanned and removed it. I restarted my computer, and my keyboard works, until windows vista starts then my keyboard and mouse both don't work. I don't have a usb keybard or mouse, and they still don't work in safe mode. What should I do?

Make sure the keyboard and mouse are plugged in all the way before you boot, when the computer is not running.

Make sure no keys are stuck in the down position on the keyboard.

If they are PS/2 port connected make sure they are plugged into the right port(s). The keyboard plugs into the one closer to the side of the case.

You may have a broken wire inside your mouse cable.
Try another mouse if you have one; plug it in when the computer is not running.
If you don't have another mouse, try unplugging it before booting to see if the keyboard then works in Windows.

If it does...
To Shut Down without the mouse, hold down Alt and Crtl, press Del, let go of the keys; hold down Alt, press U, let go of the keys; press U.
(that works in XP; I'm assuming it does in Vista)

If it doesn't, press and hold your power button until the computer shuts off, let go.
You may have a broken wire inside your keyboard cable.
Try another keyboard.

compaq has some soso online chat techs, maybe get online with them and see what the problem is.

I presume you don't have an install disc either? I know most new PC's just come as is anymore and you have to make your own restore disc.

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Some keys ("z,x,c,v,b,n,m" and "ctrl") dont work on my HP keyboard. Any help will be apreciated. Thanks.

gnj, you should start ur own thread and also let ppl know the type of PC, laptop you have.

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trouble shoot with a new keyboard (a known working one)also if you have to reload the os which i highly doubt
the hp/compaq's have a restore partition on the hdd assuming that the hdd is original
and if the restore part is not on the hdd then you CAN download it from compaq/hp and burn it to cd/dvd or to a bootable usb drive

also look at the easiest solution first
check to see if the mouse and kybd connectors are in the wrong connections