Windows 7 - I've Lost Control

[ColdBoot]

I have Windows 7 Pro, which has been working fine.
Today, I downloaded and installed an Intel update.
After that, the Intellimouse did not work properly.
In device manager, I found a usb device showing an error. With my ups this is common. I just disable and the enable the usb device and it works.
I stupidly disabled this device and wound up with no mouse and no keyboard control. And obviously no way to get back into device manager.
I tried a different mouse and keyboard - no joy.
I tried the repair disk (for the first time) and it tells me I have the wrong Windows version. The disk, from Dell, says Windows 7 Pro. I tried a repair disk I had made right after getting the computer but had the same problem.
I looked in the BIOS and USB are all enabled. I even tried removing the battery from the board to reset everything. No help.
Note that the computer boots just fine, just no way to do anything.

Right now, I am using an older Windows disk. I would really like to fix the one that is the problem just to avoid the hassle of installing programs and transferring tons of files. I do not have a retail disk for Windows 7 Pro so cannot do a fresh install.

Anyone ever run into this and find a fix for it? I can see the disk when plugged into a USB port. I'm sure there is just some file that need to be replaced or edited, but I have no clue as to which one or even where to look.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[TrustMe]

Did you make the repair disk on the same computer? Sometimes you get that message if your repair disk was made on a 32-bit version of Windows and you're trying to use it on a 64-bit version, or vice versa.

If you can get the repair to boot, and if you have System Restore turned on, I would try that first.

If you have access to another computer try to make a new repair disk.

 

[ColdBoot]

System Restore was going to be my first attempt.
One repair disk came from the manufacturer, Dell. The other was made on the same computer. Don't know why they won't work.
I can't create a repair disk on the other computer; it's running XP.

 

[ColdBoot]

Tried making another repair disc and got an error "system repair disc could not be created." Thanks, Microsoft.

 

[DavidE]

If your discs (DVD) are PRE-SP1 and you have updated to SP1 that could cause this problem.
You would need to use a Win7 disc with SP1.
You can download the Win7 ISO with SP1 using the Heidoc downloader and create a new Win7 disc with SP1.
Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

Try a repair using a new DVD with SP1.
You can also use this DVD for a clean install.
You need a readable COA sticker (license) to activate Windows with this DVD.

If you can look in BIOS it sounds like the keyboard works before Windows starts.
If that's true, what you can try:

• Turn on the PC
• Repeatedly tap the F8 key to see if that brings up a boot selection screen
• If that works, try booting in Safe Mode, to see if that works

 

[AddRAM]

Or use the Microsoft Link, either one will get you the same iso. Windows 7 Pro x64 English

https://software-download.microsoft...1479323976&h=466943469c3d9c77616559dc66361aeb

 

[ColdBoot]

Thanks for the info.

The computer came with Win7 Pro SP1 installed. The repair disk from Dell is the same (I just looked at it to be sure). I had created a repair disk with this computer, and that disk will not work either; gives the wrong version error on both repair disks. Now the computer will not create a repair disk, just gives me an error.
I have no COA sticker, just an OEM number.
I can boot into safe mode, but have the same problem: no mouse or keyboard.
When I boot with the repair disk, the mouse and keyboard both work fine.
Very frustrating. There has to be a simple change that can be made to one of the system files to correct this.

 

[DavidE]

I have no COA sticker, just an OEM number.

I'm not sure what that means.
If it's a laptop, the COA sticker could be in the battery compartment.

Is this a refurbished PC ?

All legitimate new PC's should have a legitimate COA sticker, if they had Win 7 preinstalled.

You might need to ask Dell support about this.

 

[ColdBoot]

It is neither a laptop nor a refurbished computer; it is a desktop that was purchased new from Dell this past January. There is a spot on the top of the case where a sticker would go, but Dell and most other makers no longer provide one.

I really don't want to reinstall the system on that drive. I just want to see if I can find a quick fix for the problem.

 

[DavidE]

If it's a new Dell PC Dell less than 1 year old i would expect they would stand behind the product/warranty and fix it.
I don't have any other ideas

 

[Ranger4]

What was the Intel update that you installed?.

 

[ColdBoot]

I don't recall. It was one that showed up yesterday.

 

[ColdBoot]

I found the old hard drive that came in the computer when it was new. I booted with that and was able to create a recovery disk.
I still got the "wrong version" message when I booted that recovery disk and tried to repair the new drive. Remember, the new drive started as a clone of the original. But there have been numerous updates since then.
Is there any chance that the fact that the new drive is an SSD could be causing the problem? That makes no sense, but we are dealing with Microsoft here.

 

[TrustMe]

Maybe this will help. Download Kyhi's Bootable Rescue Disk. It's a live version of Windows. Boot from it and bring up the command prompt. It looks like you navigate to the Windows directory on your ssd. Here is a guide how to start System Restore from the command prompt.

3 Ways to Do a System Restore - wikiHow

Link to Kyhi's rescue disc.

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

 

[AddRAM]

Because it`s on a SSD doesn`t matter.

 

[ColdBoot]

Thanks, TrustMe, but without having any keyboard or mouse control, I can't do a restore. And Kyhi's Windows 10 rescue disk isn't of any use with Windows 7. In fact, I already have a Windows 10 rescue/reinstall disk from Dell.

What I would like to find out is which system file I need to edit or replace on the bad disk to regain the device control. Should be a piece of cake if I just knew where to look.

I have other Win 7 disks, like the one I'm using now. The hassle is that I spent a lot of time getting everything sorted on Windows 7 to allow old programs and drivers to work. I didn't write anything down, or course, and I dread having to go through that again.


AddRAM, I didn't think the SSD would be a problem, but with Microsoft you never know what will happen when you change anything.

I really do appreciate the efforts you guys are making on my behalf.

 

[Ranger4]

Are these Intel websites any help to you.

Keyboard and mouse not working after USB3 drive... |Intel Communities

NUC6i5SYH - no suupport of mouse and keybord af... |Intel Communities

 

[marsmimar]

Note that the computer boots just fine, just no way to do anything.

This might be a total waste of your time, and if it is I sincerely apologize. But when the computer boots have you checked to see if you can use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to navigate around the screen? Here are a couple of articles that outline how you might be able to do this:

How to move the mouse cursor with the keyboard in Windows.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14204


Again, I apologize if this is just a waste of time. I mean no disrespect to you or others trying to help.

 

[ColdBoot]

Ranger4. Those are interesting articles. Sad to see Intel putting out such a terrible install.

Marsmiar: Thanks for your input. I learned something new; didn't know you could move the mouse pointer with arrow keys.

Unfortunately, I cannot benefit from either of your suggestions as there is no mouse or keyboard input accepted, even in Safe Boot.

 

[TrustMe]

One last piece of information. If your mouse and keyboard are plugged into USB 3 ports, move them to USB 2 ports. Windows 7 installation material does not support USB 3. Then try the rescue disk again.