Iam using a NGS keyboard via usb and it keeps disabling itself when im not using the pc,for example if i go away for 20 minutes,so i have to take the lead out of the usb socket and put it back in, it comes on again.It doesnt always switch off but around 80% of the time it does and becomes a bit annoying. Ive tried reinstalling the driver and ive even plugged it into a seperate USB socket but it makes no difference. There is no fault with the USB sockets as i have other things plugged in,ie modem,mouse,joypad and they are fine.

See if the problem happens with your KB connected to another system, or a different USB KB connected to your system. If yes to the former, or no to the latter, then your KB is probably be faulty.

Have you the latest drivers?

http://www.ngs.eu/html/publicauk/drivers.asp?id=9

thanks guys..ill try checkin the keyboard and then the drivers.If not it looks like a trip to the pc shop to get another keyboard:)

Could be a problem with resource conflict.

Perhaps when some other device kicks in, resource manager disables the keyboard to resolve the conflict.

Try running Knoppix from its live CD to see if the problem magically disappears in that OS environment.

Could the usb ports be affected by hibernation or sleep mode perhaps? Something in BIOS setup?