trying to re-load windows and keyboard looses power

like it says, I'm trying to re-install windows and when I go to setup my keyboard looses power. No lights or anything. I can't even do anything in the BIOS. Once windows loads the lights come on my keyboard and it works fine. This has never happened to me before. any suggestions?
thakns in advance.

 

Hi benjdow, welcome to the BBS.

There are some different meanings in your description. Reload is different to reinstall. Reload would be to restart and load Windows again. Reinstall is to run the Windows CD and install again. Some computers call the BIOS/CMOS settings "Setup ".

Win XP usually automatically boots to the CD and starts it's installation setup. Are you starting the computer with the CD in the CD drive (or booting to a floppy maybe).

Can you explain how you get to "setup" and when the keyboard stops working.

The BIOS/CMOS settings are at the very start of the computer starting up. There will not be any setup program at that stage.

I know, these terms are sometimes confusing

Are you using a USB keyboard? Best keep a PS/2 keyboard handy if you need to access the BIOS. Some (older) computers default to using a PS/2 keyboard and need to have a USB keyboard enabled in the BIOS settings (which you can't do without a PS/2 keyboard - catch 22). It sounds like PS/2 keyboard is set in the BIOS and the USB keyboard is not recognized until Windows loads drivers for it.

Matt