XP SP3 PS2 connection failure
Oh dear! I am beginning to feel that I have upset a bee hive!! Could we please get back to a technical discussion?
I am still unclear how my missing PS2 connections have failed. It certainly looks like the power supply (3.3v ?) to the key board and mouse is just not there. I can only say that my optical USB mouse does not show its red light (laser?) when plugged into PS2 via an adapter but is fully OK when it is when connected USB-wise. The keyboard appears to be similarly affected in that the various lock function key lights do not come on. Is there a trip or something within the ATX power supply?
When I use the same keyboard and mouse in the same computer but connected via USB, they both operate fully correctly from switch-on to doing everything with programs etc.,I hope that this make matters clearer.
As far as the BIOS is concerned, I am not very keen to get involved from what you say. I have been concious of some functions not available on pre 2000 BIOS's like failure to shut down properly without a fix and also allowing booting from USB devices, these are not a major problem but it could have been a useful change even if it had nothing to do with my basic problem.
SWMBO interference...must go!
Colin
I am still unclear how my missing PS2 connections have failed. It certainly looks like the power supply (3.3v ?) to the key board and mouse is just not there. I can only say that my optical USB mouse does not show its red light (laser?) when plugged into PS2 via an adapter but is fully OK when it is when connected USB-wise. The keyboard appears to be similarly affected in that the various lock function key lights do not come on. Is there a trip or something within the ATX power supply?
When I use the same keyboard and mouse in the same computer but connected via USB, they both operate fully correctly from switch-on to doing everything with programs etc.,I hope that this make matters clearer.
As far as the BIOS is concerned, I am not very keen to get involved from what you say. I have been concious of some functions not available on pre 2000 BIOS's like failure to shut down properly without a fix and also allowing booting from USB devices, these are not a major problem but it could have been a useful change even if it had nothing to do with my basic problem.
SWMBO interference...must go!
Colin
I'm now replying with the assumption that you've now restored your registry backup since you refuse to acknowledge that point in any way, shape or form.
It must be a component failure on the motherboard itself.
No not really.. because we have specifically asked DOES THE PS2 hardware work pre-boot? - and you reply with an answer for USB
You're still leaving us guessing somewhat which isn't constructive. I don't think I can be any clearer so you either start answering questions as they're asked or your problem will not be easily solved. If you simply don't know because you've not tried then just be honest as at least we can move forward step by step.
All you've said is that it doesn't light up when you plug it in. If you're plugging it in while Windows is running (power state not mentioned) then it won't work because PS2 isn't plug and play. If plugging PS2 hardware in while the machine is running it won't do anything. If you're plugging it in when the machine is turned off it won't light up either. It's plugging it in AND turning it on which is the clear and concise indicator as to whether it is working but again you fail to mention anything like this.
Thats because you're not paying attention to what we keep telling you properly. You may think I'm being overly fussy about how you test and describe the symptoms but thats because there is a reason for it - being able to accurately pin point the problem.
I'll now answer your other queries:
No the ATX power supply won't have any trips (RCDs) inside it unfortunately. You shouldn't dismantle these is the general rule. They're not supposed to be user serviceable items. Admittedly I've done it but only ever to grease up a noisy fan and I'm sure others out there have done it too..
Shutdown problems are pretty much a thing of the past. It seemed to be a operating system in a lot of cases which didn't interact with the hardware properly. The problem still exists in Windows Task Scheduler which is supposed to be able to wake a PC using ASPI power functions.. and it never does. As of XP I've seen very few shutdown failures even on very old antiquated machines. To give an example I have a Pentium 3 with a processor clocked at a lighteningly fast 866MHz (no its not my daily computer - just one kept for old programs). It runs XP and has generally shuts down every time. Install WinME or 98 and it would fail almost every day. Seriously Bios updating isn't for the faint hearted so I'm glad you've at least taken that onboard. I've had in excess of 30 computers over the years and I've never once updated the bios on any of them thats how important it really is.
@HPSauce: USB mice work via PS2 adapters but I've never tried a KB to be honest so can't comment on that but good thinking cos i'd not given it a thought at all!
It must be a component failure on the motherboard itself.
Quote When I use the same keyboard and mouse in the same computer but connected via USB, they both operate fully correctly from switch-on to doing everything with programs etc.,I hope that this make matters clearer.
No not really.. because we have specifically asked DOES THE PS2 hardware work pre-boot? - and you reply with an answer for USB
You're still leaving us guessing somewhat which isn't constructive. I don't think I can be any clearer so you either start answering questions as they're asked or your problem will not be easily solved. If you simply don't know because you've not tried then just be honest as at least we can move forward step by step.All you've said is that it doesn't light up when you plug it in. If you're plugging it in while Windows is running (power state not mentioned) then it won't work because PS2 isn't plug and play. If plugging PS2 hardware in while the machine is running it won't do anything. If you're plugging it in when the machine is turned off it won't light up either. It's plugging it in AND turning it on which is the clear and concise indicator as to whether it is working but again you fail to mention anything like this.
Quote I am still unclear how my missing PS2 connections have failed.
Thats because you're not paying attention to what we keep telling you properly. You may think I'm being overly fussy about how you test and describe the symptoms but thats because there is a reason for it - being able to accurately pin point the problem.
I'll now answer your other queries:
No the ATX power supply won't have any trips (RCDs) inside it unfortunately. You shouldn't dismantle these is the general rule. They're not supposed to be user serviceable items. Admittedly I've done it but only ever to grease up a noisy fan and I'm sure others out there have done it too..
Shutdown problems are pretty much a thing of the past. It seemed to be a operating system in a lot of cases which didn't interact with the hardware properly. The problem still exists in Windows Task Scheduler which is supposed to be able to wake a PC using ASPI power functions.. and it never does. As of XP I've seen very few shutdown failures even on very old antiquated machines. To give an example I have a Pentium 3 with a processor clocked at a lighteningly fast 866MHz (no its not my daily computer - just one kept for old programs). It runs XP and has generally shuts down every time. Install WinME or 98 and it would fail almost every day. Seriously Bios updating isn't for the faint hearted so I'm glad you've at least taken that onboard. I've had in excess of 30 computers over the years and I've never once updated the bios on any of them thats how important it really is.
@HPSauce: USB mice work via PS2 adapters but I've never tried a KB to be honest so can't comment on that but good thinking cos i'd not given it a thought at all!
Quote from: colintivy No! The keyboard and mouse are entirely unresponsive from switch-on to the display of the normal XP first page and thereafter.
I hate to say it but its definitely sounding like a possible motherboard fault Colin
Bit of a shame but at least we now know that its not a Windows problem.As Jim and HP say, try disconnecting as much as possible first though just in case there is a short circuit in there somewhere. It could also be leaking capacitors causing a problem. I've seen this on a few motherboards in my time which have caused hard drive read/write failures etc.
Here is a sample of a leaking one to look for- note the top looks blown (it should be flat not bulging):
If you find any like that you have 2 choices - Bin the board and replace (although if USB works there might not be much point) or have the caps replaced which should make the board good again. Note though that getting a TV engineer or computer shop to replace the caps could be just as costly as a replacement motherboard if not more.
Let us know how you get on