My dad bought a computer at a yard sale, and it works decently, the only problem is the keyboard. It won't pick up keyboards past the setup part, i can use this keyboard to get to the set up, but after set up it doesn't work, can anyone help me figure that out? The sooner i can find how to change it in setup the easier it would be...I have no long distance anywhere in Canada or continental U.S, so if you think you can help, it would be easier over the phone, but remember that I'm working until 10:30 pm Eastern Time. Send me a pm with your number and if i can call when i get home. It probably will be just before 11pm by the time i get in and on the computer.

I would not trust to buy a second-hand computer at a yard sale; many could have pre-existing worms, trojans, viruses, etc., and could easily have registry problems and other troubles. If you ever buy a used computer, you may want to get it at a local SB (System Builder) computer store nearby. They can rebuild and clean a used computer with great expertise.

If you want to remain on the cheap with this thing, it may only be the keyboard itself as the problem. If you have any others in the house, mix and match them. Other than that, there may not be any clear way to fix this trouble other than going down and buying a new keyboard (or a new computer).

I'm a step ahead of you, I've already tried putting this keyboard on that computer and it won't work, so I might just reformat if I can't tweak it...about to download anti-virus and have it run a scan and all sorts of other things while I'm at work

is it a USB keyboard, or the traditional plug-in the hole kind?

Try a USB one and see if that changes the situation.

I kinda agree with Grey-Grey. For security's sake, you should wipe the hard drive and start fresh by installing an operating system "from scratch". Theree should be no reason to want to save any data on any used system that was not your own to start with.

If you can get to Setup wint any keyboard, the problem is not the keyboard. The system BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) recognizes the keyboard, but the Operating System that is loading will not recognize any keyboard, regardless of type or connection. It has lost the reference drivers for keyboard detection, or they may have become corrupt.

My suggestion would be to go into setup and change the first boot device to be CDROM and the second boot device to be HDD-0. Then re-boot from any operating system installation CD.

Assuming either Windows XP or Windows 2000, when booting the install CD you will be asked where you want to instll the Operating system. Make the selection, THEN DELETE ANY EXISTING PARTITIONS ON THE DRIVE. Then create a new partition, format it, and install as normal.

If Win98, Win98SE, or WinME, there is a different procedure, but I can PM that to you, if necessary...

I can elaborate, if necessary. I have experienced similar problems on systems I buy at yard sales (i do that quite often) and I have deeloped a method that has never failed me so far ...

I tried plugging a USB keyboard in and it worked in BIOS but not in windows itself. The actual keyboard it came with, the mouse attached on the keyboard, doesn't work at all...I do not know what i did, but somehow I managed to get the mouse part of the keyboard working, but not the keyboard itself...I just downloaded AVG free version 8.0, going to see if it detects any viruses or worms, or malware of any sort.

1. You're wasting your time.
2. No viruses, Trojans, or Malware are involved.
3. I can guarantee you, it is a software problem centered on the Operating System currently installed on the computer.

If you are adamant about saving and/or using the operating system and data on the computer, I an certain I can help, because I have already corrected the same problem numerous times.

If you don't care about the drive contents, see my previous post.

Or I can just shut up. I tried.

I always do a virus scan and all that type of stuff when I get a computer. I couldn't actually do any of what you suggested in your first post because I wasn't at home. I can't actually attempt fixing it again until tomorrow. It'll be my first day off work in 6 days. I got some things I need cleared up at work today. It is a holiday here, and I'm working 5 hours, I'm making 60 bucks today. Unless they ask me to stay late. Which i hope they don't cause they had me stay late two days in a row, I don't want it to be 3.