URGENT - Help needed with computer!

[Soriasis]

Wow, this is probably the worst problem I've had with a computer over the past years. And to be honest, I don't know who to blame. Myself, or just the computer.

The problem is, I recently downloaded TweakUI to remove some of those animations from the menus and such. It was going good, then I went to another category and saw "remove *name* from the welcome screen". I never see my name on the welcome screen, because all I see is "welcome". So I checkmarked that. Then I played around on the computer for a bit then went to turn off my computer. The next day I turned it on, the log on screen popped up. I was suprised, this computer was only for myself only so I don't have a password protection on it, plus I am not named "Administrator". I tried to type in passwords but it wouldn't work because my keyboard was not responding. I tried another keyboard, and that one did not respond either. The only thing that worked was my mouse.

My last resort to this problem is to reformat my computer using my Windows XP Professional CD. But I really don't want to, I have so many important files, and lots of music I don't want to redownload.

Is there any possible way (please god) that I can system restore, or enter my desktop without reformatting? I think the chances are low, because i don't think there is any other possibility. Thank you.

[Panama Red]

The keyboard problem may not be related to TUI. Can you get into Safe Mode?

[Soriasis]

Thats was my first option that came into mind "safe mode". But i've never accessed safe mode before. My first assumption was to restard my computer and press "delete" to enter my BIOS. But I haven't found the option to go into safe mode yet. The keyboard works perfectly fine in BIOS, once I get to the log in screen, it does not respond, yet the "cap locks, num locks, and scroll locks" lights are lit.

[ktkendall]

Is it a usb keyboard? You should be able to get logged with either your normal user name and leave the password field blank or use Administrator as login and password field blank, if those fail try the safe mode thing, although I do believe that requires a login also. You will need to sort out the keyboard thing first though and if its usb then the enable legacy usb may need to be enabled in the BIOS which of course you can not do if it is a usb keyboard your trying to use there, and if so then your probable solution is to get a PS2 keyboard on there to sort this problem out.

PS: Not to worry, this does not sound like a problem that will require a reformat.

To get safe mode start pressing the F8 key right after the BIOS screen goes away.

Sounds like the drivers are screwed up for the keyboard cause all 3 of those lights should not stay lit, so safe mode should do the trick. Worst case scenario will be a repair installation which will preserve all your data and programs but will fix windowsXP.

[Soriasis]

Yes the keyboard is a USB keyboard.

The keyboard works fine until I reach the "windows XP loading screen". The keyboard locks up (the num lock and the F lock are lit) AS SOON as I reached the Windows XP loading screen, therefore i cannot enter safe mode.

I hear that you can reformat your OS without losing files? Should I do that instead.

[Panama Red]

To get into Safe Mode you need to start tapping the F8 key just as soon as the mobo maker's splash screen shows. That's before the XP screen. You might want to try a standard PS2 keyboard if your pc has the PS2 port.

Here's the How To for a repair install:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[ktkendall]

I would go out and get a cheapo ps2 keyboard if it was me, because I think that is all you need to sort this out. The repair install is an option but you do have to do windows updates all over again if you go that route.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by ktkendall I would go out and get a cheapo ps2 keyboard if it was me, because I think that is all you need to sort this out. The repair install is an option but you do have to do windows updates all over again if you go that route.

I agree. The kbd issue needs to be sorted first.

[ktkendall]

Of course now that I think a little more about it, since you probably never had a ps2 keyboard it may not help you get logged in because windows may need to load first to detect new hardware and load drivers to utilize the ps2, but it may work, also though if your getting that little login box for windows user name and password, and sounds like Administrator is already in there just leave the password feild blank and use your mouse to click logon button. Administrator has no password by default in winXP pro if I remember corectly, because that is one of the first things I do in new winXP pro load is disable guest account and password protect Administrator account.

[Soriasis]

i do have a PS2 keyboard. That was the 2nd keyboard that I tried to use AFTER the USB keyboard failed to respond. I also tried logging in without a password, and it said I had an incorrect password. However, I am currently using a USB keyboard to repair my Windows at the moment. It is working fine. For some reason it locks up at the log in screen.

[Panama Red]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Soriasis]

I'm not sure if the installation so far is going okay...

#1. It asked me for NVIDIA Network Bus Disc #1. Which it never asked when I installed Windows XP in the first place. I know for a fact I don't have that, all i have is the Windows XP CD. I tried to put in the BIOS disk, but that didnt work. So I cancelled it and the installation went on.

#2. I just got an error. I was to hasty and closed it without writing the error down. But it had to do something with W32 or "32". I clicked okay, and the installation is still going on..

#3. I just got 4 errors of missing files. They were ".dll" files.

#4. Then all of the sudden, the setup for Windows Media Player 11 popped up. I just went about finishing the settings, then it said "windows could not verify the file to be installed, setup aborted (not exact words). That's very weird.

Hopefully the installation goes by without problem. Because after this, if there are any problems. I'm going to save my music and important files, then completely reformat my computer.

[ktkendall]

You may have a hardware issue with your motherboard or harddrive there, hence the lockups and other problems.