Can't start Windows!!!

[xilience]

Hi all,

My problem is very strange. My mother is using a P4 1.8, 512 RAM, a decent vid card, with no problem for quite some time. I borrowed the computer to use at my house, but I can't see to get into Windows.
First, I woul
d get past the Windows XP Pro boot screen only to sit at a black screen forever afterwards. When I tried safe mode, neither the mouse nor keyboard would respond. No response from the computer. I coudn't even turn on or off the NUM Lock.
I tried reinstalling Windows, going the repair route, but not before checking out the BIOS. I found that if I hit F2 too many times trying to get into the BIOS (Del doesn't bring up the BIOS on my Intel Mobo) I will get no response from the keyboard even in the BIOS!!
Now, having gotten past the basic Windows repair point, the computer rebooted and was going into the main setup. Now, it will show the mouse on the screen, which I can't move, then reboot after about 10 seconds.
I am a senior in college studying Computer Engineering, and feel that I have a good knowledge of computer and have run into a myriad of problems, but this just stumps me.

Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks for your help.

Frank B.:shocked:

 

[daniel49]

let me ask some stupid questions although obvious a good place to begin.

ps2 or usb mouse/keyboard?
usually ps2 is better for troubleshooting i think.
if usb is it enabled in bios?
inspect for bent or missing pins
plugged in securely.

 

[xilience]

Both are PS/2. Funny thing is, if I only press F2 once, I can check through the BIOS regularly, and the keyboard will respond fine. If I press F2 many times to make sure I get into the BIOS, it will stop repsonding. Right before it goes into the BIOS in that case, I can quickly see the BIOS POST screen with a "Keyboard error" of some sort.

Also, I tried resetting the CMOS with no success.


Thanks again.

 

[secondvijai007]

I used to have a similar problem with a USB mouse once, i would get into windows, and it would stop responding... i would always have to reconnect it after startup and it worked fine.

Have you tried it with another keyboard and mouse? That should help isolate the place where the problem is... its either the keyboard and mouse, or could be that the motherboard has gotten old.

Post back if you get any results. Good Luck!

 

[Buz2b]

Let me take a shot here. The problem started after you moved the system from your mom's to your place/room. It may seem overly simplistic but I'd unplug and reinsert the keyboard and mouse, BEING VERY CAREFULL that they are not switched. That is one simple problem that happens all the time. Even if you don't think they are switched, pull them out and recheck anyway. Then reinsert both firmly; making sure that they are lined up properly and fully inserted. If you still can't get either to function properly, you should try using (first) a different mouse (either usb or ps/2), then a different keyboard. Just borrow from a friend for a quick check. I'd still bet on either them being switched or perhaps just not inserted fully. LMK and we can go from there.

 

[daniel49]

many systems are set to halt on keyboard error.
I would also try another keyboard and buz2b's idea would also cause that if ports were switched.

 

[stevty2889]

It's also possible there was a loose screw or something lying around in the case that is now shorting to the motherboard, and it wouldn't hurt to reseat the memory, video card, ect. My guess is that something may just be loose as it was working before it was moved.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
It's also possible there was a loose screw or something lying around in the case that is now shorting to the motherboard, and it wouldn't hurt to reseat the memory, video card, ect. My guess is that something may just be loose as it was working before it was moved.

Yeah, not sure about the screw but it is entirely plausible that something worked loose. I'm still betting on either a switched PS/2 port or not entirely inserted PS/2 plug. Of course, I'm betting YOUR money on that!