Keyboard is not working on my latop--can't even enter password

[JohnFerrone]

Hi. I have a Dell Vostro 1720 that boots to the password screen, but the keyboard does not work--so I cannot enter my password. I've tried F12 and F8 (Safe Model), and the keyboard works on those utility screens, but does not function once the boot process is finished. I'm running XP Professional SP3. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there a magic button I can press to restart the keyboard? : )

 

[EonW]

It sounds like a driver issue, once the laptop fully boots. Try reinstalling the keyboard drivers through control panel > device manager. Have you had a separate USB keyboard plugged in previously? I did this with a Dell Studio laptop and had a problem initially then with the built-in one.

 

[JohnFerrone]

It sound like a driver issue, once the laptop fully boots. Try reinstalling the keyboard drivers through control panel > device manager. Have you had a separate USB keyboard plugged in previously? I did this with a Dell Studio laptop and had a problem initially then with the built-in one.

Thanks, EonW. No, I did not plug in a USB keyboard. Unfortunately, I cannot get to the Control Panel because I cannot type my password to log in. I don't have a keyboard lying around, either, that I could try plugging in.

 

[EonW]

Sorry, stupid me - of course you can't get in fully. If the keyboard does not work to type in your password even at the safe mode screen, have you tried booting with the XP disk and doing a Windows repair. This may reload the keyboard drivers.

 

[JohnFerrone]

Sorry, stupid me - of course you can't get in fully. If the keyboard does not work to type in your password even at the safe mode screen, have you tried booting with the XP disk and doing a Windows repair. This may reload the keyboard drivers.

I will dig that disk out of some drawer somewhere in the house and try that... it may be a while before I can find it, though. Thanks for the suggestion. When I get to it, I will definitely let you know what happened.

 

[EonW]

You're welcome. Hope it works for you.

 

[sARANDX]

Keyboard is not working on my latop