No keyboard input received

[jong2k4]

The problem: my computer is not receiving keyboard input. The problem is not the keyboard; I tried 3 and all work on other computers. I cannot even get the num/scroll/caps indicator LEDs to light up.

The history: It's a long story.... there was a short occuring somewhere in my computer, which I eventually tracked down to a DVD-ROM drive. In the process, I turned the computer on and off several times with that short in place, and somehow that ended up wiping the motherboard firmware settings regarding my processor, (I assume that was the cause,) which means I need to recheck them when I boot up. Unfortunately, I need my keyboard to do that, and for some reason it is not working.

My suspicion: I suspect the problem might somehow be due in part to the wireless keyboard I recently purchased. I had noticed that the wireless kbd was not functional until Windows loaded, which according to the troubleshooter occurs when the CMOS does not support a USB kbd; but this one was connected with a PS/2. As it posed no problem at the time, I assumed that if I ever needed to use a keyboard before windows loaded, I could simply attach another one, but now no keyboard work. I'm not sure if this is a problem somehow related to the short, that the keyboard functionality has been completely destroyed, or if the keyboard simply is not working until Windows boots up.

Is there any way to check what exactly the problem is? Is there any way to fix either problem?

[bailey]

I am thinking that the motherboard keyboard connector may be damaged.

try removing the cmos battery, and waite 10 min, then replace it.
and try booting up again.

never plug in or unplug the keyboard whild system is running.

[jong2k4]

I must admit, I wasn't expecting that to work- but somehow it did. Thanks for the good advice bailey, it worked like a charm.

[bailey]

glad you got it working again and that it was not a bad motherboard