Right now, my laptop is pretty much useless.

I have an Acer Aspire 5600. I started getting a msg saying something along the lines of the C drive needs to be checked, the file in question is fat 32 (I know, when I get it fixed I will change to ntfs). The hard drive in question is made by Toshiba, and I ran their diagnostic test, with nothing coming up as wrong.

Now, when I start up, after my desktop, icons and such load, the mouse and keyboard freeze. I can only get them to work using safe mode. I tried updating the drivers, using restore points, checked for viruses/malware ect and nothing worked.

I just wiped everything and brought the system back to the initial factory setup. Now, I am at the welcome screen that guides you through setting up your new computer, and my mouse/keyboard still don't work! I tried accessing safe mode again, and it said something along the lines of "you can't use safe mode until you have set up your computer."

What should I do next? I asked a friend and he said "get a mac!" I hope that there is a better answer than that!:)

Thanks,
Jon

Try using an external KB and mouse. If they work it will allow you to use the system and try to get the problem resolved.

Since they work in safe mode it isn't likely hardware related. Do they work without the driver installed? Are you certain you have the correct driver for your system and OS?

Which OS?

Tell your friend to get a life. :p

Hi and welcome to the forums.

Check the BIOS setup (F2 during startup) to see whether anything in there has been disabled that shouldn't have been and even try setting fail safe defaults if that is an option. You may of course not get into the BIOS because of non functional KB but if you do it points to a drivers problem within windows and some repair of windows might be feasible.

Have you tried an external USB KB and/or mouse? (edit: JLReich beat me to it).

It could also be worth booting to a Linux Live CD such as Knoppix Version 5.1.1 ISO download (http://www.kernel.org/pub/dist/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V5.1.1CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso) to see if the same hardware probems persist from there.

Presumably you initiated the factory restore from the earlier safe mode in Windows using ALT+F10 or directly from some bootable CD.

Is the laptop still under warranty? Acer Aspire 5600 Manual (ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5600/manual/AS%205600_3680.pdf)

I just wiped everything and brought the system back to the initial factory setup.
How did you do it?
You may need to do a clean install of windows. Format the partition and install a clean copy of windows.

The OS is XP. I used the "Alt+F10" method after the restore discs (which you have to burn yourself when you get the computer:rolleyes: did not work). Tomorrow I will try the external mouse/KB and let you know how it goes.

How do I do a clean install of windows?

If Alt+F10 worked then the KB must have functioned at that lower level and so the problem looks to be windows related.

If you want to retain your settings as far as possible then a repair installation (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) would usually work but if your factory restore is creating problems perhaps there is some problem with corruption of its image file or indeed with hardware such as your hard drive or memory.

Memory can be tested with a floppy made from the Microsoft site (http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp) (as recommended by Sylvander) and the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the website of most of the hard drive manufacturers.

A clean installation requires a Windows installation CD (as does a repair installation) and the easiest way to run one is to wipe the drive first (as before) and then boot to the installation CD and follow the prompts.