[millawitch]

Keyboard AND Touchpad not working on Windows XP

Hi, I've got a friend's Packard Bell EasyNote Model MV35-V-007 laptop and I just want to copy her files before doing a clean XP install. The problem is NEITHER KEYBOARD NOR TOUCHPAD WORKS, so I cannot do anything with the computer!

I've tried plugging an USB keyboard/mouse, didn't work. I've tried using Windows XP install cd-rom, but after "checking for boot files on cd-rom drive" I'm prompted to "press any key to boot from cd" - I CAN'T!!

Help!! It's driving me mad! :(

[FadedMaster]

If you can't get any of that to work, I would remove the hard drive and use a hard drive enclosure to backup the files. You can pick up hard drive enclosures for laptops pretty cheap. Check out NewEgg.com or BestBuy.com (depending on where you are at in the world).

I wasn't aware Packard Bell was still manufacturing PCs. Looks like they're still prominent in Europe. Last PB computer I owned was Windows 95.

One thing to be aware of though, is that doing a clean install of Windows probably won't fix the keyboard and touchpad issue since it doesn't sound like it's working in the Bios.

Try entering the Bios (usually F2 or Del upon booting). Bios is sometimes called Setup.

[millawitch]

If you can't get any of that to work, I would remove the hard drive and use a hard drive enclosure to backup the files. You can pick up hard drive enclosures for laptops pretty cheap. Check out NewEgg.com or BestBuy.com (depending on where you are at in the world).

I wasn't aware Packard Bell was still manufacturing PCs. Looks like they're still prominent in Europe. Last PB computer I owned was Windows 95.

One thing to be aware of though, is that doing a clean install of Windows probably won't fix the keyboard and touchpad issue since it doesn't sound like it's working in the Bios.

Try entering the Bios (usually F2 or Del upon booting). Bios is sometimes called Setup.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm just thinking now about what you said - you might be right! I've tried using the XP CD, couldn't "press any key to boot", and I cannot enter BIOS to change boot options so it only boots from the CD as the keyboard doesn't respond... Any other way around this?

Maybe a "bootable runtime" that would override BIOS settings or a SLIPSTREAMED XP CD (BartPE comes to my mind) - of the kind that cuts out the typing and clicking parts of an installation, making them automated... And, hopefully, when it's all finished, the drivers for keyboard and touchpad would work after the installation is finished!

Any help?