BleepingComputer.com: Wireless Keyboard/mouse Troubleshooting

OK, I've been struggling with this problem for a couple hours. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

So I started out with Windows XP (SP2). Then I installed Linux (Mandriva, specifically). My wireless keyboard/mouse combo worked perfectly, no need to even configure it. Then I started troubleshooting another PC. All hell broke loose.

Both my keyboard and mouse connect to a wireless "hub" thing, which connects to my PC with two different cables. One is the typical mouse cable, which goes to a PS/2 outlet. The other one (for the keyboard) goes to a USB port, that I've always used along with the USB => PS/2 keyboard adapter. All was doing well until I took out the adapter to check another keyboard.

That all got worked out, except the keyboard never reconnected. I admit I did reconnect it while the computer was on. I later learned that that is a NO-NO.

So it turns out that however much I reconnect it, (with or without the adapter) the keyboard never gets recognized on the hub. However, the mouse works just fine, the keyboard is the only thing that doesn't connect.

But it gets more complicated. I used another keyboard (USB) to see if I could fix it. The only problem is that the backup keyboard only works during the screen where you choose what OS to load. Well, it also works in linux, but that doesn't help fix my problem. So I can only select Windows XP, but not get past the little window where you have to press Ctrl + Alt + Del.

So I plead the experts at BleepingComputer. Help fix one of the two problems; my wireless hub not recognizing my keyboard, or my keyboard not working in XP. Thank you.

EDIT: Forgot to mention all mouse/keyboard paraphernalia is Logitech.

This post has been edited by hpfreak26: 06 January 2008 - 08:09 PM

Check Device Manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation points by the USB controllers. I'm guessing it's a Windows driver error
Mark

The thing is, I can't even get into Windows. My backup keyboard stops working before the Ctrl + Alt + Del prompt.

Any other suggestions are much appriciated.

Personally, I am not a big fan of wireless keyboards or mice. All you have done is to eliminate about a foot or two of cable.

What happens if you plug the keyboard and mouse into the computer & bypass the hub?

You can't. It's all wireless.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll get back to you tomorrow (after school, I guess)

I know that. What I am saying is bypass the hub

I guess hub isn't the right word. It's just the wirless keyboard and mouse transmit a signal to the receiver. The receiver plugs into the computer.

Night all.

Alright, I finally figured out my problem. And I hate it when I find someone with the same problem as me and they figure it out without explaining. So I'll elaborate.

My wireless keyboard is pretty much broken, I think. I'll do some more troubleshooting, but that's what I'm guessing. I'm not sure why Windows wasn't accepting my wired keyboard either, but I luckily had a second one laying around and I got that one working. So I can now enter Windows and I will begin my quest of restoring my wireless hardware to it's previous state. Thank you for your ideas and effort, all who answered.

Later.