Here's the dealio - system is a Dell desktop running windows xp. I was attempting to connect to the internet with a wireless connection when the mouse stopped working... followed by the keyboard. I found out that the mouse was unplugged and plugged it back in, but neither will work. I have tried using others from other working computers, but neither the mouse nor keyboard will function. So, I tried restarting the system and upon startup an alarm (no other way to describe it) sounds from the system speakers. Both the mouse and keyboard are PS/2. Any ideas/suggestions??

Silly question, but are they both plugged in correctly?

Thanks for your reply & that's actually not a silly question at all given the day that I had yesterday.

Both were plugged in correctly & working fine and then bleep - nothing. After more blind trouble shooting it seems that it was a bad keyboard. Once I unplugged the keyboard the mouse started to work... then I replaced the keyboard and the system works fine now. Crazy thing.

Thanks again!

One suggestion is that you don't plug in PS/2 connector when the PC is on, it might cause a short circuit and can harm your motherboard..