We have an old windows 98 desktop machine. When we plug the keyboard in the unit shuts down. We have tried a different keyboard...same thing happens...any suggestions?

Dear Sir:

Please make the RESTORE to some point where was working before.

Is the best recommendation. after that run THE CHECK DISK. 3) Run the antivirus +malware after that.

sincerely. God bless you.

ernesto cuadra
managua, nicaragua. c.a

What Operating System are you running - if Windows what version XP, vista, 7? When is it shutting down, after you get into Windows (or other OS) or when trying to boot up? Are there any error messages? New machine or old machine - if old has anything changed? How long does the system stay working before it shutsdown? Is it getting too hot, fans blocked etc?
Lets start by working out if it is the hardware (Dell and devices connected) or the software (Windows etc) It is difficult to know without more details of the problem but here are my best suggestions
Try safe mode - running windows try in safe mode (F8 when starting windows), check error logs
Test the hardware - I would start by disconnecting all external devices, USB disk and other devices. If possible also remove any extra boards you have added to the machine. Even the mouse, USB sticks, anything plugged in (but leave the keyboard). Try this, do you get the same problem.
Test the OS - If you have a live CD such as Ubuntu (can be downloaded from here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download ) then try booting the system from this and see if you still get a problem
Can you run a virus checker on it, how long does the machine stay running. You can try downloading from here from another machine - http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd-download and making a CD, run the rescue anti virus.

I think you really need to boot from a boot disk (windows xp - vista - 7) for your operating system - and attempt a repair from there. Your computers have different motherboards and parts.. windows installed drivers for them are not close enough.

I have had success in xp by doing this: before removing drive from old computer - you go into device manager and remove everything - drives, video card, mother board last and leave keyboard and mouse .. so you can shut it down .. then install into new machine and it finds most everything and then you install your drivers there.

Good luck,
Bill

try unplugging your keyboard and starting the unit then shut it down, plug the keyboard back in and start it up again. you should be able to get to your bios at startup. hope this helps

A lot depends on where the keyboard and mouse are plugged in. I have seen in the past that the USB in the back works better than the front. Are these the original keyboard and mouse? If not, use the original until after Windows loads the desktop.

Try another keyboard. It's either the keyboard actually went bad or the PS2 port it's plugged into did. This unit is old enough if it's Windows 98 on it a USB keyboard may or may not work.

Try another keyboard. It's either the keyboard actually went bad or the PS2 port it's plugged into did. This unit is old enough if it's Windows 98 or 2000 on it a USB keyboard may or may not work.

2 things to do:

Try another keyboard

or

if problem persists with alternative keyboard, you may have a faulty keyboard controller. Consider motherboard replacement.

Hello!!!




Check Your Keyboard Connection, Then Restart Your Computer


Checking the connections and restarting the computer will make sure the keyboard is plugged in properly and the computer is correctly recognizing the keyboard.

To check the keyboard connection and restart the computer:
1. Shut down your computer:

* If using Windows® 98 or Windows® Me, click the Start button, then click Shut Down. In the What do you want the computer to do? section, choose the Shut Down option by clicking it, then click the OK button.
* If using Windows® XP or Windows® 2000, click the Start button, then click Shut Down. Click the What do you want the computer to do? drop-down menu to open it, choose the Shut Down option from the list, click it, then click the OK button.

2. Follow the cord from the keyboard to where it plugs into the computer.
3. Unplug the keyboard cord.
4. Wait for about 30 seconds.
5. Plug in the keyboard cord.
6. Turn on your computer.

If it only happens at home, then there must be a condition. Make sure that the computer is in a good place with lots of ventilation. The on screen keyboard may use a lot of processing power and so the computer is overheating and then shutting off. If its a laptop, sometimes they like to be propped up on some books so some ventilation can get into the bottom.

Are these computers laptops? Desktops? It could be a power bar issue so try using a different bar, or try moving the computer into another room all together, it could be the electricity in that room. Or the computer may not be plugged in properly if its a laptop...it isnt receiving enough power so it uses the battery until its dead then turns off, check the battery status at times.

I'm not sure what would cause the icons and folders on the desktop to disappear after a restart unless you logged into it differently. If a computer crashes after you place icons on the desktop, it doesn't save the settings of the desktop and so the icons may disappear.