Win7 fails boot & does not start the keyboard

paul emile · 07 Feb 2010

Dell vostro 400 on Win7Pro from vista pro upgrade disk ...months ago.
All is well until I boot it with a usb stick having data files on it.
I remove stick and boot but it fails, freezes, stopping 100% inert on first page on screen.
I also am left with an unactivated keyboard so can't hit F2/F12 to go to a fix point.
Can't start the machine by booting with the Win7 disk in the reader.
This is now like a dead machine except for a useless page 1 looking at me.
How do I start this machine and get it to boot? Any bypass?

Anybody have any suggestions?

theog · 07 Feb 2010

Are you using a Wireless keyboard & mouse?

If yes, try with a wired keyboard & mouse.

paul emile · 08 Feb 2010

Here's a solution for all DELL owners and perhaps even others.

I did get a wired keyboard just in case and had it handy.

However any keyboard could not function with the machine freezing after the first beep on start up.

So I did this....

I unplugged the machine in the back and also removed all wires to it.
With it not plugged to any power source I pressed the start button and held it for 10 secs and repeated this once more. Then I plugged the computer to my power point and pressed the start button again.

This time it booted all the way through POST and the wired keyboard responded.

I had remembered that DELL trick from some time ago when I was on warranty.

I also came across and recommend www.computerhope.com as a great knowledge and help source for learning more about how these machines operate.

Your reply was appreciated and part of the answer.