I can't use the mouse or keyboard to login at the login screen, not in safe mode too

[mc1csmo]

Ok, here's the background. My wife's pc (identical to my own, and running on Windows XP)was restarting at shutdown recently on it's own and I saw an error that said there was some kind of driver error. So, I uninstalled the nvidia drivers in hopes of installing the most recent ones. I don't know if this was the issue, but I was troubleshooting and I noticed that there was a recent driver update.

Well now I can't log on at all, because when I get to the windows login screen, the mouse and keyboard won't work. I see for an instance the cursor shows an hourglass, then nothing. I see the blinking cursor in the login field, but I can't type anything in there, and the mouse doesn't work.

So, I tried to do a system restore but it just sent me to the login screen, and no mouse or keyboard function persisted. When I tried to go into safe mode, it asked me what was the boot device I wanted to use (which after some searching I see is also an indicator of a problem, but I'm not sure what it means). I picked my HD and continued to do a restore to the last working config, and the same deal, can't login, no mouse or keyboard use at that sceen.

So, I tried going into safe and it shows both an administrator icon and my wife's user name, and I can't try either because again, the moust and keyboard aren't working here either!

I tried to boot with the windows xp disc in, even picked the boot source from the boot menu as floppy and again as the cd-rom. I read that doing so can sometimes fix things. No dice here either. I managed to get where I guess it was fixing things, and it asked for the adminstrator password. Well I'm the administrator and the only password I know isn't working.

So I'm at a loss. I'd prefer not to have to do a fresh install, but please, if anyone has any advice or directions, I REALLY need some hand holding here. I'm not an expert by any means, and I apparently know just enough about this stuff to get myself in trouble. I can use some direction and help and I would be majorly appreciative to anyone who can take the time to do so. I so don't want to have to do a full reinstall (not sure exactly what I need to do there but I have all the discs from all the components. Aside from the inconvenience and loss of data that wasn't back-up, I hear MS makes you jump through hoops to re-activate, even though its a legit copy).

FYI, the keyboard and mouse aren't wireless

Thanks - MC

[shadowpr]

Are the keyboard and mouse usb?

If so, try a ps/2 mouse and keyboard.

You updated your video drivers?