Dimension 3100/E310 USB Keyboard & Mouse

I am working on a Dimension 3100/E310 and it only has the option of USB for keyboard and mouse. I plug a USB mouse and keyboard into the system and can get into the BIOS fine, but when Windows XP Media Center Edition loads to the log on screen the mouse and keyboard will not function and the keyboard number lock light stays on and doesn't respond. I have tried unplugging it and plugging it back in but then it won't light. Any ideas what is causing this? I have had this happen multiple times with this series of desktop.

 

You will need to boot into Safe Mode.

It appears to be a driver problem, although if both the keyboard and mouse are not working, then the system could be "frozen ", you could not tell otherwise.

In Safe Mode, you can go to Device Manager and uninstall the keyboard and mouse, they will be automatically reinstalled at reboot, unless they may use special drivers. Go to Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs and check for programs or drivers that may be influencing those devices. Remove them and look for updated versions if you want to use them again. If you have changed the mouse and keyboard from the supplied Dell type, investigate if there is still Dell software/drivers installed.

If it seems to be freezing, it could be due to any number of drivers or programs. I expect it is frozen after you reach the desktop, or does it happen at odd times? If it happens at the desktop, see if you can watch what is be loaded into the Notification Tray (next to the time), compare it to a normal startup. The Microsoft method of dealing with freezes includes doing a "clean boot ".

In Safe Mode, check in Event Viewer (see Help and Support) for any listing at the time it stopped functioning.

Matt