Unit boots up to Welcome center but once there I can't use the keyboard or mouse. I tried using an external keyboard and mouse but still nothing.

Well, do you mean only the keyboard is locked? Can you boot the system properly? Is the mouse working? Which Operating System is running on your Laptop?
Here are a couple solutions you can try before you let me know the above queries.
1. Press and hold down the Windows Logo key on the keyboard while pressing the L key on the keyboard once. In other words, Press Windows Key + L once. If this doesn't work, don't forget to include the Fn key while pressing these two keys. Windows+Fn+L. Still nothing?
2. Turn off the Machine, remove the battery and unplug the charger. Leave it for at least 10 seconds, you can press the power On button on the laptop without the battery and the charger installed/plugged in. Now re-install the battery, and turn back On the machine. It should work.
If you need further help, if the problem persists, Let me know with the details.
Good Luck.
Thanks for using FixYa.

Hi Tony,
It appears that you have an IBM desktop whose BIOS isn't capable of booting off of a USB keyboard and mouse device. Older computers used to require that a PS2 mouse and keyboard be attached before booting, to prevent you from booting a machine without any way of controlling it. You have 3 options:

1. leave the corded mouse and keyboard attached and never use them
2. update the BIOS for your desktop to the newest one in hopes that the updated BIOS will allow for USB mouse and keyboard operation
3. go to a computer store and get a PS2 to USB converter/adapter. They're small and relatively inexpensive. It plugs into the PS2 port, and makes your computer think that there's a PS2 device connected, when it's actually a USB device.

Try disconnecting all external devices. Not the keyboard or mouse.
Re-boot unit and check your device manager for flags.
If found, remove them and reboot, checking each time a device is installed.
Hope this helps.
P.S. After all has loaded, then try your modem hardwire first. Wireless second.

First disconnect all external connections except video, see if system will boot normally (press the power button once on tower to shutdown)

If that works, then connect the keyboard only to the back USB port nearest the NIC. See if the keyboard works. If it does, shutdown and connect the mouse and try again. If it doesn't, try the mouse only. If you localize the problem to either the mouse or keyboard, replace that item.

If neither works, then reset the motherboard junper to reset BIOS defaults. the again, try them one at a time. If they still do not work, then you will need a mothebroard.

sounds like a problem in windows may have to reinstall the os

Try booting your computer from CD ROM with the OS CD/DVD already inserted and when prompted just try repair. If that does not work re-install the same on the same 'partition' assuming it to be C by deleting the the windows system files only. While doing so keep the internet on and immediately after the basic version of the OS is installed and the m/c boots-up for the first time, go to the official website and download the latest drivers for every component like toch-pad, keypad, display, audio, etc.(i.e. almost all the drivers)

welcome to fixya

use you external keyboard and mouse and try to goto device manger and find the hardware keyboard and mouse and try to update the drivers this could be the problem ....

you can also check in the search bar try typing in keyboard the search menu in start menu this should have a Standard PS /2 keyboard or something like that if not then the drivers are missing needs updateing

hope this helps you out if not plz let me know

have a good day

you need to run you computer in safe mode to see if you have a driver problem. if everything works fine in safe mode try removing any pointer software then reboot so it can correct itself

Did you say that you CAN plug in a mouse or keyboard and the machine boots fine, or are you asking if you can do this? If you computer is freezing up at the BIOS screen then most likely you have a failing memory stick.

If you are familiar and comfortable doing so, try removing both sticks (if you have two) of ram. Make sure you have the battery removed and the power cord unplugged. Then try to boot up the machine without the RAM and with only the power cord plugged in. See if you get any type of message or response. Then, hold down the power button to turn the machine off again, remove the power cord, and try booting with just one stick of RAM at a time.

try plugging in an external keyboard & mouse, hopefully that should work