the kbd. & mouse gets it's support in the BIOS, just because one of them works there doesn't = the fact that either is enabled which is required for the OS to make use of either. if it's been a while you might check the CMOS batt. for depletion.

Its windows fault. I know that if i plug either my mouse or keyboard into a new USB port then i have to leave it for ages (sometimes up to 45 mins), but that usuallly fixes it - until someone uplugs it again

i replaced the battery and the problem persists, also i installed windows on another partition and the keyboard and mouse works ok. Im thinking its a windows problem, does anyody know how i can reinstall the keyboard drivers bearing in mind the keyboard and mouse dont work in safe mode?
also is there any way i can use system restore through the repair console?

Sounds as though you have either a driver issue, or device conflict issue with that particular install of windows, which i will assume is XP!
Have a check in 'device manager', and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks or red crosses next to the device in question!
Having used Vista since its early development, i forget the exact path in XP, but i think you can access device manager from start>control panel>administrative tools>computer management, open DM from the left tree pane and then click on the little plus (+) signs next to 'keyboard' and 'mice and other pointing devices'.
If you dont see any colored symbols, right click the listed devices in question and select 'properties' then the 'driver' tab at the top!

From here you should see the currently installed driver version, date and supplier.
You can also update( which is the option you should choose), roll back and uninstall the current drivers!

Installing the current driver versions for your devices is not a bad idea, and these can be usually obtained from the device manufacturers website if windows doesnt find them on the update!

Good Luck

If i could get to device manager that would be great , but both my keyboard and mouse arent working in windows or safe mode.

oops.....sorry nickyt8, you did mention that!
my oversight....doh!

Can you get your hands on the old ps2 connecting keyboard and mouse?
These should operate straight of the bat and allow you to enter your system and check for problems and reinstall the necessary drivers!

Regards.....

ok.... i finally got windows to recognise there is a mouse plugged in, however when the hardware wizard comes to install i get the error "an error occurred during the installation of the device the required selection was not found in the INF". anybody seen that error before?

also i will try with a ps2 connector and see if that brings any joy, thanks for the help.

I have seen that error message before when installing a scanner on windows 2k!

Sadly, you can end up troubleshooting it for hours or days on end as it seems to be a problem with some sort of registry corruption i believe.
The problem was corrected quickly and efficiently with a format of that partition and a clean install of windows.
Its probably not what you wanted to hear but i bet it works a treat!
Your call...

Good Luck!

I am having the same problem. It all started when a user (using a Dell Optiplex 745) was having registry and system problems so I ran the Windows XP repair and during install the keyboard and mouse stopped working. I checked the settings in BIOS and USB is turned on. When we purchase our computers from Dell we always included the PS/2 serial port adapter so I was able to use a PS2 keyboard and mouse to finish the install.

I can now log in using the PS2 devices or remotely with no problems. When I go into device manager it shows that the USB keyboard and mouse had problems during install. I was able to use them on another computer and she is currently using them on the computer so I know it isn't the input devices. I also was able to use other USB devices like my USB drive in the same USB ports so it doesn't seem to be the ports. I have reinstalled all the drivers that came with the Dell computer as well as all the updates on their web site.

I have set the user up using PS2\USB adapters for her USB keyboard and mouse, but still need to find out why they will not work without the adapters. I have had this problem before, but a repartition, reformat and clean install will usually fix this, but since it is someone elses computer I don't have that option. Seems like there is a problem with Windows repair that causes problems with the USB keyboard and mouse.