I guess I'd list my computer knowledge as above average, just not formally trained in anything. That being said, i've reformatted my hard disks many, many times, and it seems windows (xp home) never installs easily, thanks Bill This time, however, I haven't gotten that far. My keyboard(s) wouldn't let me boot from the xp cd by pressing a button, they just weren't recognized. I WENT into BIOS and enabled usb keyboard/mouse and I was able to get the cd to boot up. Once I get to the blue screen, my keyboard is no longer recognized . Any advice from you guys and gals?Does you computer have PS/2 ports? Have you tried USING a PS/2 keyboard?


Is the USB keyboard you're using any special kind of keyboard or just a generic USB keyboard?

You also mentioned reinstalling before, was it with the same USB keyboard?Keyboard #1 is a microsoft fancy-dancy keyboard, didn't expect that one to work, keyboard #2 is a simple gateway ps/2 with no frills (figure the simpler the keyboard the better). Keyboard #3 is a kensington usb, again, no frills, very plain. I've re-installed windows so many times before, I can't remember which keyboards i've used, i've had many over the years, but I do definately remember that the microsoft (my g/f bought it for herself) did not work last time I wanted to do anything in msdos/bootdisk. Hope this is helpful to you, and thanks for helping Some USB keyboards won't work during Windows installation. My Ideazon Zboard does, but my old Microsoft keyboard wouldn't, and they're both USB.

I'm a bit confused THOUGH. Have you tried with the PS/2 keyboard this time? If so, the same thing happened?Yes, I did try with the ps/2 keyboard, for some reason, it seems inop though. When I plug it in (even in windows) there is a green light (power, i'm guessing) but I cannot make the light for the NUMBER lock/caps turn on. Maybe i'll try to hunt down another ps/2 keyboard, but i'm thinking they're kinda oldschool and not around anymore. The kensington I bought came with an adapter to make the usb work in a ps/2. all sorted out, thanks Good to hear.

What'd you do? Kensington in PS/2?