A Guide to Input Device Issues on an OptiPlex Desktop Personal Computer

Table of Contents:

1. Resolving Input Device Issues on a Desktop
2. Hardware Troubleshooting
3. Software Troubleshooting

Resolving Input Device Issues on a Desktop

Input Devices is another name for desktop peripherals such as the Keyboard and Mouse that allow you to control and input information to your personal computer.

Keyboards and mice can be Wired or Wireless. The connectors can be USB or Din.

(Fig.1 External Keyboard and Mouse)

I will take you through some common issues and the quickest troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve those issues.

Input Issues.

The common issues with input devices are things like:

• Device not found on startup
• Device not found when the Operating System starts.
• Intermittent connection
• Lack of control when the device in use.

The troubleshooting below takes you through identifying and then narrowing down the issue, to help resolve the problem.

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Hardware Troubleshooting

1. Check the Device for damage. Are there any signs of a liquid spill? Are there any parts broken off? Do all buttons and keys cleanly press when pushed and rebound and function?

   1. If there is damage, you must look at replacing the device. If the damage is with the system, you are looking at a charge for the personal computer to be repaired.

   2. If there is no damage, then go to the next step.

2. Swap the device to another system. Does the same thing happen there? If you plug another device to your system do you see the same issue?

   1. If the fault follows the device, then you must replace the device.

   2. If the fault stays with the system with a known good working device plugged up, then carry on with step 3.

   3. If the fault is seen on both systems, go to step 5 or contact your support to take it further.

   4. If the fault is not seen on either machine, then it is a connection issue and typicaly is resolved by a reseat.

   5. If an intermittent issue then go to step 4.

   6. If you do not have a similar known good device, or another system you can test the device on then go to step 1 in the next section.

3. If the fault was that the keyboard was not detected on Boot and stayed with the system. Press either the F2 or F12 keys rapidly at the Dell Splash Screen. Does the system enter the BIOS or the boot once menu?

   1. If it does, then the issue is with your operating system. Go to step 1 in the next section.

   2. If it does not, then the issue is outside of the operating system. Try the device in another port (Most desktops have USB ports on both the front and the rear of the personal computer. Ensure to test both the front and the back Ports.) If that resolves the issue, then contact your support about an issue with a particular port to take the issue further.

4. If the issue is intermittent does moving the devices wire while it is still plugged to the system affect how the device functions?

   1. If so and the device is fine on another system, then it is a loose port. Contact your support to report the issue.

   2. If so and the device is the same on another system, then replace the device.

5. Try a different type of device such as a hard drive, USB pen drive, phone, or camera in the same ports that your original device fails in. Are the new devices picked up correctly and do they work as expected?

   1. If they do, then the issue is most likely a compatibility issue with your device. I would advise you contact the supplier of the original device.

   2. If not then contact your support to take this further.

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Software Troubleshooting

The first software troubleshooting step is usually to rule the Operating System out of the issue. We must do this if the fault stays with the system, regardless of the port the device is plugged to or if you have been unable to test with known good parts. I will also give some intermediate steps you can try to recover from any issues, but you must decide if it is quicker and easier for you to rule out the operating system or go through the intermediate steps.

1. You can rule out the operating system by two way swapping the Hard Drive and seeing if the fault follows the drive or stays with the unit? If you do not have a known good system or hard drive to test with, then the next step is to recover or reinstall your Operating system. Alternatively you can boot from an Ubuntu Live CD and see if the same issue is seen? I would advise checking the user manual for your system type, for instructions on removing and fitting parts. If you do not have an Ubuntu Live CD, you can download an ISO from the link below. To boot from a CD, tap rapidly on the F12 key at the Dell splash screen and select the correct option from the Boot once menu.

   • Ubuntu Download Link 

     

     (Fig.2 Dell Boot Once Menu)

   1. If the fault is seen when booting from the live CD or from a known good working Hard Drive, then contact your support to take this further.

   2. The fault is not seen on the live CD or works fine with a known good working Hard Drive installed. Proceed with the guide to restore or reinstall your operating system.

If the troubleshooting points to your operating system and you have the time to troubleshoot the Software further, you can try these steps before restoring or reinstalling your operating system.

2. If you are experiencing input device issues, there are several steps you can try before the last resort of an operating system reinstall. The first step would be to try a system restore. I have listed guides below for each operating system possible. Take the system back to a date before the input issues started. Does this resolve your issue?

   1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.

   2. No, then go to the step 3.

• How to run System Restore in Windows 7 on your Dell personal computer
• How to run System Restore on Windows 8 on your Dell personal computer
• How to run System Restore on Windows 10 

3. Go to your Control Panel and then open Device Manager. Uninstall the appropriate Driver from your personal computer, then go to the Dell Support Site and download and install the latest driver listed for your device. If it is a USB device, then you want to delete and re-create the USB Hub instead. (Right click on each USB hub and select uninstall. Reboot the system to re-create the Hubs.) Does this resolve the issue?

   1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.

   2. No, then go to step 4.

4. Go into the input device properties in the Control Panel. Ensure that everything is set to the default and that nothing is set to disabled. Ensure that your device is correctly listed and is reported as being in a working condition. Does this resolve your issue?

   1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.

   2. No, then go to step 5.

5. If you are still experiencing issues at this point, then I am afraid the next step is to reinstall the operating system. This can be done either from restoring factory settings or using your installation media. Ensure you have backed up everything you want to keep to an external source. Ensure you have all your serial and Product IDs handy for any software reinstallation. You can find a link below to articles taking you through the various processes for whichever operating system you have on your System

You can contact our Technical Support online through Chat, Twitter or Email, or you can give us a call on your local support number. If you have any questions that are not answered by this article, let us know.

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