External Keyboard

[sarta22]

I have a toshiba laptop with WindowsXP. A number of the keys are not working and I have a password set to login (which I can't type in or hit enter to). I have a USB to PS/2 adapter and a few external keyboards, but I don't know if there is something that would need to be done to start using them because I can't type in my password using it. I was wondering if there is a way to get it to work or get around the password. The arrow keys, the enter keys and about four letters or so aren't working, so I wasn't sure what else I could do. Thanks for any help.

[classicsoftware]

First, Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums.

You will need to install a PS2 keyboard if you have a PS2 slot. This should work without problem.

[sarta22]

Thanks. I didn't have a PS/2 port. I had to buy a PS/2 to USB adapter. But if I get a USB keyboard, it'll just work without installing anything? Thanks again.

[mjc]

You may have to enter your BIOS set up and enable USB keyboard support...now if that key is one of the not working ones...:(

[sarta22]

Yeah that's the problem I can't change anything in BIOS. I figured that's why the PS/2 keyboard wasn't working with the two adapters. So no keyboard I hook up will work? Is there anything else that can be done or is this a lost cause? Sorry I just don't know a lot about computers and have tried everything I can think to do.

[mjc]

I guess it depends if the default for the BIOS is to enable USB keyboard support by default or not...if it is enabled by default then resetting it should work.

I would give this thread a look over...

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41774

see if cj has a guide for your model. You may be able to pull the current keyboard from it, clean it very well and then reinstall...