keyboard doesn't work (new install)

I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these cause a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work then I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

Why don't you simply enter your name and product key when asked? It seems
that you have a system that has been preconfigured on the hard drive. This
is commonly how OEM system are supplied. Once you enter the requested
details the system completes the installation. Until that happens, you can't
do anything with the system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

I'm afraid you must have had your eyes shut when you replied to my post, you
missed the entire point and title. I CAN'T USE MY KEYBOARD, SO I CAN'T ENTER
MY NAME OR SERIAL.

As far as I know its a normal Windows 98 SE, you might have gotten confused
since I'm using a Dell version of XP to post here?

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

Why don't you simply enter your name and product key when asked? It seems
that you have a system that has been preconfigured on the hard drive. This
is commonly how OEM system are supplied. Once you enter the requested
details the system completes the installation. Until that happens, you can't
do anything with the system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

If your keyboard doesn't work, replace it with one that does. But that will
not avoid the need to enter your name and product key.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid you must have had your eyes shut when you replied to my post,
you
missed the entire point and title. I CAN'T USE MY KEYBOARD, SO I CAN'T
ENTER
MY NAME OR SERIAL.

As far as I know its a normal Windows 98 SE, you might have gotten
confused
since I'm using a Dell version of XP to post here?

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

Why don't you simply enter your name and product key when asked? It
seems
that you have a system that has been preconfigured on the hard drive.
This
is commonly how OEM system are supplied. Once you enter the requested
details the system completes the installation. Until that happens, you
can't
do anything with the system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that
here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these
cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work
then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and
something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

I KNOW! Jeez, I have tried 2 keyboards, I think its the driver or something.


"Jeff Richards" wrote:

If your keyboard doesn't work, replace it with one that does. But that will
not avoid the need to enter your name and product key.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid you must have had your eyes shut when you replied to my post,
you
missed the entire point and title. I CAN'T USE MY KEYBOARD, SO I CAN'T
ENTER
MY NAME OR SERIAL.

As far as I know its a normal Windows 98 SE, you might have gotten
confused
since I'm using a Dell version of XP to post here?

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

Why don't you simply enter your name and product key when asked? It
seems
that you have a system that has been preconfigured on the hard drive.
This
is commonly how OEM system are supplied. Once you enter the requested
details the system completes the installation. Until that happens, you
can't
do anything with the system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that
here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these
cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work
then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and
something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

I think its the driver, because I have tried 2 keyboards

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

If your keyboard doesn't work, replace it with one that does. But that will
not avoid the need to enter your name and product key.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid you must have had your eyes shut when you replied to my post,
you
missed the entire point and title. I CAN'T USE MY KEYBOARD, SO I CAN'T
ENTER
MY NAME OR SERIAL.

As far as I know its a normal Windows 98 SE, you might have gotten
confused
since I'm using a Dell version of XP to post here?

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

Why don't you simply enter your name and product key when asked? It
seems
that you have a system that has been preconfigured on the hard drive.
This
is commonly how OEM system are supplied. Once you enter the requested
details the system completes the installation. Until that happens, you
can't
do anything with the system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that
here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these
cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work
then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and
something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)

Perhaps the keyboard interface on the PC isn't working. Does the keyboard
work during BIOS setup, or with a boot to DOS?

It's unlikely to be a driver issue unless you have a very unusual keyboard
interface, and that would only apply in a laptop.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I think its the driver, because I have tried 2 keyboards

I wouldn't be posting here if I wasn't already sure its a win98 issue. Both
keyboards work fine in DOS, BIOS, Win XP, and Win 2000. I haven't replaced
the driver thats FAILING TO INITIALIZE yet because I can't find one anywhere
online. But when I do I will also replace the couintry-specific driver.
Congrats Donald, you are the first contributor of a bit of info.

"Donald G. Davis" wrote:

"=?Utf-8?B?Sm9lN2R1c3Q=?=" writes:

I think its the driver, because I have tried 2 keyboards

Does the keyboard work during startup before the Windows keyboard
driver loads--i.e., can you use a keystroke to enter the BIOS setup?
Just after "Starting Windows 98" is displayed, can you use F8 to access
the startup menu and select "Command Prompt Only," and does the keyboard
then work at the command prompt? If not, there may be a hardware or BIOS
problem. If so, the fault is in Windows.

If the problem is a corrupt keyboard driver in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM
directory, in addition to the master driver KEYBOARD.DRV, there will be at
least one other driver that is country-specific, with a .KBD extension:
for U.S. keyboards, it is KBDUS.KBD. You might try replacing that.
--
--Donald Davis

[To respond by e-mail, remove "blackhole." from the address.]

The keyboards are both typical and no its not a PC-wide problem. (desktop)
See my reply to Donald.

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

Perhaps the keyboard interface on the PC isn't working. Does the keyboard
work during BIOS setup, or with a boot to DOS?

It's unlikely to be a driver issue unless you have a very unusual keyboard
interface, and that would only apply in a laptop.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I think its the driver, because I have tried 2 keyboards

Keyboard.drv is in the Mini.cab file in the Win98 folder on the Win98
Installation CD. Cab files can often be found on the HD put there by OEMs
to facilitate the installation process.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188428

I didn't notice whether you were working with Win98 or Win98SE however the
Keyboard.drv file appears to have the same size and date suggesting they are
the same.


"Joe7dust" wrote in message
...
I can't load any regular windows drivers or anything because "I have to
enter
a name to use Windows" (this is bull$hit, but I won't get into that here)

In my bootlog.txt it shows successful loading of KEYBOARD.DRV, but it
fails
to initialize. I have tried adding several different drivers to the
config.sys, I found keyboard.sys and keybrd2 - keybrd4, all of these cause
a
hang at their loading. I noticed that vmmouse.vxd is loaded but a
keyboard.vxd doesn't seem to even be required because a search online
didn't
really return anything.

Removing keyboard.drv didn't help, it caused my to not even get to the
screen where it asks for a name. My next plan of action is to find a
replacement keyboard.drv online somewhere, and if that doesn't work then
I'm
going to remove all non-essential hardware and do a bare bones attempt
(thinking there could be a conflict between the keyboard.drv and something
else in my system).

I couldn't find anyone else who's ever had this problem after hours of
searching (probably because most don't have multi-OS)

Is there a way to bypass the need for name entering perhaps?
Also is there a way to do safe-mode? (doesn't appear possible until
you've
run Windows at least once and entered your name + serial)