Acer Laptop = Keyboard & Mouse disabled = Can't logon!

[fritzman]

This is REALLY wierd, and I'm hoping it's a really simple problem, but I blowed if I can figure it out.

A friends laptop is only 4 weeks old, and has been working perfectly. It have Vista installed, and a day ago, it started up (she is assume messed with a setting or something but isn't owning up/can't remember) with the keyboard and mouse almost completely non-functional.

I can boot up and hit F2 and enter BIOS no problem.

I can hit F8 and use Repair your computer. I can fully type anything I like in the bits and pieces there.

As soon as I get to any sort of Vista Desktop, whether in Safe or Normal mode... neither the keyboard (or a USB Keyboard) nor the Touchpad (or a USB Mouse) will do anything at all with any of the keys other than the Fn keys work.

That's another wierd thing... When I'm in the 'Repair Your Computer' area... the cursor appears on screen and I can readily use the touchpad. When I'm in anything else... there is NO cursor on-screen.

She is pannicking about losing her Windows Live Mail stuff, so I've posted a seperate thread to deal with that side of things, but I am thinking there must be a simple set of keystrokes or something that will whatever it is she has done.

BTW... I went into system restore (under repair your computer) and wouldn't you know it... there are NO restore points!

H E L P !

 

[Adragontattoo]

the KB is disabled or uninstalled in Vista, try a USB KB and see what happens.

 

[aja]

It might take a while for the USB KB to register if windows needs to install drivers for the USB controller. So give it a while after plugging it in

 

[Trap05]

Doesn't sound like a hardware issue. I would do a vista repair and see if that sorts it out

 

[fritzman]

Thanks guys... tried a USB keyboard... same results.

Vista Repair... these things come with Vista on the Drive = no CD. I think the only sort of 'in-built' repair is destructive.

 

[Trap05]

Did your friend make the recovery discs?

 

[fritzman]

Did your friend make the recovery discs?

They're inbuilt into the drive, so blowing the whole thing away and recreating Factory settings isn't an issue.

I'd like to be able to grab her Windows Live Mail and contacts if poss though... haven't heard anything from the other thread specifically on that. I've never used it, but assume it's like Outlook Express, and all the data is 'Computer-based' and somewhere on the drive, as opposed to Hotmail style, where all you need to do is log-in again and it's all there.

 

[conway]

Dude, I'm having the same problem on my Acer laptop with XP Pro on it, and it just started today! I get home, power on my laptop and come up from hibernate, and it tells me it's going to install some updates, restart and bam, kb and mouse frozen. My usb mouse works, and everything works fine in safe mode. I'll post back when I get it figured out since it seems like we're both having a real similar issue and I think several updates were released yesterday.

I did already try restoring to yesterday btw, and oddly enough it didn't fix the problem. The restore operation was completely successful so that should have rolled back any updates that were installed.

 

[fritzman]

Dude, I'm having the same problem on my Acer laptop with XP Pro on it, and it just started today! I get home, power on my laptop and come up from hibernate, and it tells me it's going to install some updates, restart and bam, kb and mouse frozen. My usb mouse works, and everything works fine in safe mode. I'll post back when I get it figured out since it seems like we're both having a real similar issue and I think several updates were released yesterday.

I did already try restoring to yesterday btw, and oddly enough it didn't fix the problem. The restore operation was completely successful so that should have rolled back any updates that were installed.

Wow... that is interesting.

Might give Microsoft a call and see what they have to say.

B

 

[conway]

Looks like it's working now. After looking through the system log in safe mode, ended up deleting the "acpiec" service out of the registry. A reboot later and everything is fine again. All I can think of is maybe some update caused an issue with our laptops and that specific service. If you can get ahold of a Vista disc you can probably find a way to disable that service on yours. I was lucky enough to still be able to get into safe mode, but I have XP on this laptop as I said before so that could be why.

 

[conway]

Ok, well apparently hibernation won't work without that service installed. Looks like I'll get to spend more time playing with it tonight after work.

 

[fritzman]

Okay... I spoke to MS & Acer... neither any help at all, so have just blown the previous install away, and in the midst of a complete rebuild & update (again)

Thanks for all the help anyways team. Shame it wasn't a simple fix!

 

[conway]

Okay... I spoke to MS & Acer... neither any help at all, so have just blown the previous install away, and in the midst of a complete rebuild & update (again)

Thanks for all the help anyways team. Shame it wasn't a simple fix!

Is it working after the reload?

 

[fritzman]

Perfectly thanks

 

[conway]

Perfectly thanks

Well, I guess our problems on the same day are just a coincidence, because after removing and replacing the battery, mine seems to be running solid again.