Corrupted USB Driver

[mikemission]

My Dell E510 Computer is inoperative to the extent that none of the USB peripherals will work. The computer Boots up OK but I cannot operate either the desk keyboard or the mouse (Both USB) The computer does not have ps2 connectors. Is it possible to reinstall the USB driver presuming that the existing driver is corrupted. The big problem is I cannot get to the device manager.

Is there a way of starting the computer in safe mode considering that I cannot operate the keypad/mouse?

When I shut down the computer with the on/off switch, the computer then shuts down in Hibernate mode only, can this be overcome?

Is my only solution to reinstall the operating system, and if this is the only option how can I transfer my files from the hard drive that is operating correctly?

I am at my wits end as I have been unable to get to a solution myself.

Thanks Mike

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[Mandrake]

There are two possibilities here:

1) It's a problem with Windows

2) It's a problem with your PCs USB ports

The easiest way to see if your keyboard works fine is to try and access safe mode by pressing 'F8' just before the black 'loading windows' screen appears. You could test the numlock and capslock keys too while the PC is loading.

To further test the USB ports in Windows, you could try plugging in an MP3 player or a flash drive or whatever, just something to test. You might also try unplugging the mouse and keyboard in Windows and moving them to different USB ports.

If your keyboard works fine prior to Windows loading then you know it's a software issue. If it's not working at all, then you know it's a hardware problem. In the case of a problem with Windows, you can boot from your Windows DVD and attempt to fix the problem that way.

If the USB ports just aren't working at all (even before Windows loads) then you'd need to call Dell and deal with them directly since they built the machine.

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[helpless marty]

Here's a situation that SCREAMS the need to back up your files but you obviously know that... now! If your keyboard and USB ports won't function and you have to start fresh, the only way, to me, to save your files would be to put the existing (presumably working fine otherwise) hard drive into another computer, or an enclosure. Then put a different hard drive into your Dell + reinstall to that and then you can transfer the files from the old hard drive.

Lotta hassle...I'd follow Mandrake's advice and hope for the best. Good luck!

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