keyboard error.

hi, I'm running a dell inspiron 531 desktop, A few weeks ago my keyboard mysteriously stopped working. I bought a new keyboard an after setting it up i've realized that my computer is the issue not the keyboard. it shows that the power is on on the keyboard but only specialty keys like email and calculator function, the letter keys don't work. i use vista and i believe it may be a BIOS problem but i have no idea how to fix it and i don't want to ruin my computer by changing the wrong setting. does anyone have any advice or tips?
thanks

 

Is your keyboard USB (flat rectangular connector) or PS/2 (round connector)?

If USB can you connect a PS/2 keyboard to the system and do you have one available (I mean a real PS/2 keyboard not a USB with PS/2 adaptor)?

 

i use a usb and i have an older desktop that uses a PS/2 but there isn't a PS/2 port in my inspiron

 

its usb and i have a PS/2 keyboard but there isn't a port for it in the back of my inspiron. (i'm using the annoying on-screen keyboard and clicking every letter with the mouse now)

 

OK, a couple of questions... bear with me?

When starting up do you see a message similar to

Code:

Press xx for Setup...

As well as answering the above, assuming your mouse still works (just seen your last post so assumption correct), what do you see in "Device Manager" regarding both "Keyboards" and "Universal Serial Bus Controllers ", whilst there do you see any "unknown devices ".

For device manager under XP (sorry I don't do Vista), right click on My Computer, select properties then the Hardware tab and finally the device manager button.

 

ok well no unknowns..under keyboard it shows my new keyboard with the "!" to show that the software wasn't correctly downloaded. i've already tried updating and re downloading the software from Microsoft. under universal serial bus controllers-standard enhancedI to usb host controller-standard openHCD to usb host controller-usb composite device-usb mass storage device-usb root hub the last is used twice

 

there was a typo that was supposed to be "universal serial bus controllers-standard enhanced PCI to usb host controller "

 

And there lies the problem, now have you tried uninstalling this keyboard (both physically and the driver) then powering down your system and restarting with the keyboard in a different port. Also the question regarding BIOS setup, on startup do you see any indicator at all?

 

Yes, if you have happened to have connected the keyboard while the computer is running often Windows won't be able to install it.

I have seen Dells with software for the keyboard. Check through the list in Add or Remove Programs for one relating to the keyboard (or "input devices ") and uninstall it.

Matt