Keyboard and mouse not recognized

Are you saying the keyboard and mouse work in Safe Mode and you can get to the desktop?

If that's the case, do a system restore from Safe Mode to latest date available before you installed that update.

Ron 

Reboot and press F2 before Windows starts to load. If that works and BIOS setup opens, disable the internal floppy driver controler, save the change and exit. Now rebbot and try F8 to see if you can get into Safe Mode to do a restore.

Do you have your XP CD? Are all your files backed up on external media? What Windows service pack is on your hard drive?

If you take it somewhere, be careful because you don't want them to reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Everything on the drive will be lost if you do that. And if you must revert to a clean install of Windows, you can do it yourself for free using Dell's PC Restore option, but -alas- you'll still lose everything on the drive.

Personally, my recommendation is avoid places such as Geek Squad like the plague. But that's my 2-cents. 

Ron 

Hi Ron,

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I will definitely give that a try before taking it anywhere and let you know what happens. I have heard nightmare stories about Geek Squad returning computers with most or all data lost after they've attempted to "fix" a problem. I was thinking of an independent that runs a business from his home (Globallinkcomputers.com) but would much rather fix the problem myself with the help & advice of people such as yourself if that is at all possible... I'll be in touch.

Best Regards,

Karen

Hi Ron,

Well, I tried but no luck. Unfortunately, the system will not start in any type of Command Prompt anymore. When I try to start in any kind of Safe Mode, including with Command Prompt, it goes to the windows screen asking me to click on my username. The F1 error disappeared after I followed your instructions so that part worked. I do have the XP CD. Unfortunately, I do not have a back-up of any kind. I guess I'm gonna have to cross my fingers and try this guy (Globallink). I will make it as clear as possible that I do not want him to re-install Windows XP. Any other thoughts?
Thanks again,
Karen

Do you know what version of XP is on the CD and what version is on the hard drive? In other words, does the CD have SP2 and the hard drive also have SP2 or does the drive have SP3?

If you boot from the XP CD, will the keyboard work?

Ron 

When I boot from the CD, the keyboard works. I'm not sure what version of XP is on the CD or on my hard drive. I believe SP3 was part of the update that started the whole blue screen error problem.

OK, if they work when you boot from the CD, we know it's not a hardware issue.  

Are you sure that the error message number listed in your original post is correct?

Ron

Hi Ron, The original error code was 0x0000007E. When I was on the line with Dell Tech. Support, the number changed to 0x000000FC before the computer seemed to be back to life (other than not recognizing the keyboard and mouse) I tried to go into Safe Mode again last night with no luck. Are there any other options I could choose from the F8 screen that would allow me to enter commands?

Thanks,
Karen

Hang in for a bit. I've asked some of the experts for some suggestions.

Ron 

Whoa... that sounds way out of my league but it also sounds like it's something that would work. I suppose if we're unable to get back into Safe Mode with Command Prompt and set the system to a previous date than I'll have to see if I can find someone with the skill and expertise to try this approach.

Thanks again,

Karen

I thought about this after my last post.

You could have someone pull the hard drive out of the system, install it in a USB hard drive case, and connect it to another PC to back up your files. Then put it back in your system and run PC Restore to reset the drive to the way Dell shipped it. Everything that's on the drive now will be lost so you do need to back up first. But the drive will have Windows, drivers and whatever software Dell preinstalled for you. You'll have to reinstall SP3 and all other Microsoft updates again, plus any other software you need.

Ron 

Karen,

One of the experts suggested this longshot:

Power off and disconnect all USB devices, including mouse and keyboard.

Boot the system to desktop (or your log-in screen, which ever comes first)

Now plug USB keyboard into a port. If it doesn't work, try all the other USB ports.

If you find one that works, plug the mouse into each of the remaining ports until you find another one that works.

If that gets you functional, open Device Manager and expand the list under USB. Double-click each root hub and click Power tab (if it's available). Note which root hubs are connected to the mouse and keyboard. Now go back to Device Manager's main screen, right-click and uninstall all root hubs, except the ones with mouse and keyboard attached.

Reboot and test all your USBs with fingers and toes x'd. ;)

Ron