(resolved)working keyboard doesn't work on IBM

lschofield · 04-28-2007, 06:30 PM

Here's the problem.

I have a computer (one that I'm typing on) that my keyboard works on. I have another computer (IBM Netvista) that this same keyboard doesn't work on. Same things happens with a different keyboard: works on this computer, not on another.

There must be a problem with the PS/2 port I think. We can't do anything with the computer, as we can't get any input into it. The monitor lights up and displays the Windows screen where it asks to press ctrl-alt-del to start Windows - but, obviously, we can't do this.

Anybody have any suggestions? I've looked all over the net and can't find anything! Is it possible to replace the PS/2 port? Are they any troubleshooting steps to take to see if we can get a keyboard working on the exitsting port?

Any suggestions are very welcome! BTW - (for my 9-year-old son's sake) anyone have any ideas how this could've happened? We're blaming him. I bought the computer 2nd hand from the hotel (Hilton) I was working at. Never used it, but it worked when I bought it. We've had it sitting in my son's room for about a year. He's been plugging it into the wall and plugging the keyboard and mouse in, pretending to "set it up".

Thanks for the input (no pun intended....)

**8210GUY** · 04-28-2007, 06:57 PM

Well it's quite possible that he put something into the jack that has messed it up, but there also be just a coincidence that it developed this fault on it's own, but although I can't think of a way to get the ps2 port working, I can suggest trying a USB keyboard which will totally bypass that port and should work fine, then you can at least get in and check a few things (namely the device manager) to see if it shows any conflicts, just a thought for you.

lschofield · 04-28-2007, 09:12 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, I like the idea of the USB keyboard...

Do you know if there's a way to repair the PS/2 port? My husband had a look and said there's a piece of metal missing from the port in question.

The display on the screen comes up fine for windows, it would kill me to through the machine out (my husband's very clever solution).

**Terrister** · 04-29-2007, 07:57 AM

The only way to repair the ps2 port is to replace the motherboard of the computer. I think using the usb keyboard would be your best option.

lschofield · 04-30-2007, 05:17 AM

Thanks SOOO much for the help. We got a USB to PS/2 adapter and everything works fine.

I'm a programmer, not a technician, and am lost on this stuff (not the best programmer either, but I keep practicing). At least I know where to look for help, you guys are great.

My husband was furious and admitted to me that had I not found the solution, "that box would've been in the bin". So simple, no need to get that particular PS/2 port working if there are other options.

You guys are great!!

**8210GUY** · 04-30-2007, 05:32 AM

Thanks for letting us know, it helps us to know when things work so we know we are getting it right, as much as one can anyway, glad your sorted though.

04-28-2007, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
lschofield Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	(resolved)working keyboard doesn't work on IBM Here's the problem. I have a computer (one that I'm typing on) that my keyboard works on. I have another computer (IBM Netvista) that this same keyboard doesn't work on. Same things happens with a different keyboard: works on this computer, not on another. There must be a problem with the PS/2 port I think. We can't do anything with the computer, as we can't get any input into it. The monitor lights up and displays the Windows screen where it asks to press ctrl-alt-del to start Windows - but, obviously, we can't do this. Anybody have any suggestions? I've looked all over the net and can't find anything! Is it possible to replace the PS/2 port? Are they any troubleshooting steps to take to see if we can get a keyboard working on the exitsting port? Any suggestions are very welcome! BTW - (for my 9-year-old son's sake) anyone have any ideas how this could've happened? We're blaming him. I bought the computer 2nd hand from the hotel (Hilton) I was working at. Never used it, but it worked when I bought it. We've had it sitting in my son's room for about a year. He's been plugging it into the wall and plugging the keyboard and mouse in, pretending to "set it up". Thanks for the input (no pun intended....)

04-28-2007, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,558 OS: xp Pro	Re: working keyboard doesn't work on IBM Well it's quite possible that he put something into the jack that has messed it up, but there also be just a coincidence that it developed this fault on it's own, but although I can't think of a way to get the ps2 port working, I can suggest trying a USB keyboard which will totally bypass that port and should work fine, then you can at least get in and check a few things (namely the device manager) to see if it shows any conflicts, just a thought for you.

04-28-2007, 09:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
lschofield Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: working keyboard doesn't work on IBM Thanks for the suggestion, I like the idea of the USB keyboard... Do you know if there's a way to repair the PS/2 port? My husband had a look and said there's a piece of metal missing from the port in question. The display on the screen comes up fine for windows, it would kill me to through the machine out (my husband's very clever solution).

04-29-2007, 07:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Re: working keyboard doesn't work on IBM The only way to repair the ps2 port is to replace the motherboard of the computer. I think using the usb keyboard would be your best option. __________________

04-30-2007, 05:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
lschofield Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: working keyboard doesn't work on IBM Thanks SOOO much for the help. We got a USB to PS/2 adapter and everything works fine. I'm a programmer, not a technician, and am lost on this stuff (not the best programmer either, but I keep practicing). At least I know where to look for help, you guys are great. My husband was furious and admitted to me that had I not found the solution, "that box would've been in the bin". So simple, no need to get that particular PS/2 port working if there are other options. You guys are great!!

04-30-2007, 05:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,558 OS: xp Pro	Re: working keyboard doesn't work on IBM Thanks for letting us know, it helps us to know when things work so we know we are getting it right, as much as one can anyway, glad your sorted though.