Keyboard not responding

I have a friend running Windows XP Professional and he
unplugged the keyboard and mouse to rearrange his
physical setup. He cannot remember if the computer was
powered off, therefore I am assuming that it was still
powered on. After reconnecting the cords in the proper
ports (non-USB), the mouse works fine but the keyboard is
not responding. The Caps Lock and Num Lock lights do not
light up when the keys are pressed.

I am guessing that the keyboard is fried and needs to be
replaced, but am curious if this diagnosis is correct.

Any commentary would be greatly appreciated.
Ernie

That actually depends on the manufacturer and their choice of PS/2 port.
This has been especially true when PS/2 first came out (as it was a
development on the AT ports that changed to a 6-pin instead of 5-pin
mode) and has continued for quite some time. Most manufacturers now
make both ports available for the keyboard and mouse by using the same
Intel 8042 keyboard controller for both ports (Basically it just enables
bi-directional communication).

Anyways, tell your friend to turn the computer off, then plug the
keyboard in, then boot up the computer again. PS/2 is not Plug and Play
compliant and requires the computer to be turned off, then booted with
them connected. It is possible, after booting up with them connected, to
unplug the keyboard and plug it back in at a later time as long as the
computer has been left on and the PS/2 component is plugged back in the
same port it was in before.

----
Nathan McNulty


Thomas Wendell wrote:
Is you friend shure how he connected his mouse and keyboard?
I'm assuming these are PS/2 devices. The mouse works very well from the
keyboard port but there is no way in h**l to get the keyboard to work from
the mouse port.
Usualle they are atop each other (seen with mobo horizontal), keyboard port
under (nearer mobo)

That actually depends on the manufacturer and their choice of PS/2 port.
This has been especially true when PS/2 first came out (as it was a
development on the AT ports that changed to a 6-pin instead of 5-pin
mode) and has continued for quite some time. Most manufacturers now
make both ports available for the keyboard and mouse by using the same
Intel 8042 keyboard controller for both ports (Basically it just enables
bi-directional communication).

Anyways, tell your friend to turn the computer off, then plug the
keyboard in, then boot up the computer again. PS/2 is not Plug and Play
compliant and requires the computer to be turned off, then booted with
them connected. It is possible, after booting up with them connected, to
unplug the keyboard and plug it back in at a later time as long as the
computer has been left on and the PS/2 component is plugged back in the
same port it was in before.

----
Nathan McNulty


Thomas Wendell wrote:
Is you friend shure how he connected his mouse and keyboard?
I'm assuming these are PS/2 devices. The mouse works very well from the
keyboard port but there is no way in h**l to get the keyboard to work from
the mouse port.
Usualle they are atop each other (seen with mobo horizontal), keyboard port
under (nearer mobo)

That actually depends on the manufacturer and their choice of PS/2 port.
This has been especially true when PS/2 first came out (as it was a
development on the AT ports that changed to a 6-pin instead of 5-pin
mode) and has continued for quite some time. Most manufacturers now
make both ports available for the keyboard and mouse by using the same
Intel 8042 keyboard controller for both ports (Basically it just enables
bi-directional communication).

Anyways, tell your friend to turn the computer off, then plug the
keyboard in, then boot up the computer again. PS/2 is not Plug and Play
compliant and requires the computer to be turned off, then booted with
them connected. It is possible, after booting up with them connected, to
unplug the keyboard and plug it back in at a later time as long as the
computer has been left on and the PS/2 component is plugged back in the
same port it was in before.

----
Nathan McNulty


Thomas Wendell wrote:
Is you friend shure how he connected his mouse and keyboard?
I'm assuming these are PS/2 devices. The mouse works very well from the
keyboard port but there is no way in h**l to get the keyboard to work from
the mouse port.
Usualle they are atop each other (seen with mobo horizontal), keyboard port
under (nearer mobo)