Thread: Update wiped out keyboard

  1. #1
    The larch
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    3,573

    Update wiped out keyboard

    Hi, my laptop (6 months old, Windows XP) performed an automatic update ("Need to restart. You have 5 minutes to save stuff") and when it restarted the keyboard had stopped working. None of the device listings has any trace of a keyboard attached to the computer.

    I did a system restore but that didn't help.

    I'm completely ignorant as far as hardware is concerned. So is there anything I could try myself before I can contact the computer vendor tomorrow?


    Edit:
    It has started to give those 5-minute warnings quite recently. Earlier it suggested I shut down instead of hibernating if it had something to update. I can't recall changing any settings.
    I might be wrong.

    Thank you, anon. You sure know how to recognize different types of trees from quite a long way away.
    Quoted more than 1000 times (I hope).

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Posts
    2,129
    things to try:
    1. check for sticky keys
    2. unplug/take out battery and leave there for a few minutes
    3. go to device manager and check status of the device
    4. go to BIOS and check status of the device
    5. go to add/remove programs and uninstall the update (click Show updates)

  3. #3
    The larch
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    3,573
    Sorry, didn't mention it. The computer magically cured the next day I took it to repair (that's a bit embarrassing).

    I ran a virus check previously, found one (no available description, relatively harmless), removed it and tryed system restore to go back one week (didn't help).

    Either the computer restored itself somehow (I did more restarts in one day than the computer has ever had, though), or unplugging the external mouse helped???

    Anyway, it seems fine now - thanks. The support guy couldn't say anything other than these things happen...

    1. check for sticky keys
    Didn't check but obviously not the problem.

    2. unplug/take out battery and leave there for a few minutes
    Will keep in mind for the next time

    3. go to device manager and check status of the device
    Did that. The device wasn't even listed. There was not a single trace of keyboard anywhere.

    4. go to BIOS and check status of the device
    Tried to do that (is it done while starting up, or can you do it when the computer has already booted?) but didn't get in.

    5. go to add/remove programs and uninstall the update (click Show updates)
    Didn't think of that! I was an ignorant user and now I'm ignorant and humble user who doesn't question what the updates are and do I really need them...
    Last edited by anon; 07-28-2007 at 01:39 PM.
    I might be wrong.

    Thank you, anon. You sure know how to recognize different types of trees from quite a long way away.
    Quoted more than 1000 times (I hope).

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Polymorphism; Update functions and accessibility
    By CaptainMaxxPow in forum C# Programming
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-23-2009, 08:48 AM
  2. SQLite not performing update
    By OnionKnight in forum C Programming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-21-2009, 04:21 PM
  3. Detecting keyboard and mouse in linux
    By sameer.nalwade in forum C Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-22-2008, 04:24 AM
  4. Virtual keys
    By Arkanos in forum Windows Programming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-12-2005, 10:00 AM
  5. Game Design Topic #2 - Keyboard or Mouse?
    By TechWins in forum Game Programming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-08-2002, 03:34 PM