Keyboard issue with reversion to Win 7

[TechLady]

So this is a first...client requested a revert to Win 7 and was within the 30 day period so I started the process...all went well and Win 7 is back, but keyboards won't work at all. I know it's not the USB port because mice will work, and it will work in BIOS. But as soon as Windows loads up to the password entry screen it's no response at all from keyboards. Have tried all USB ports, four different keyboards. Normally when I've seen this plugging a PS2 keyboard in will work, but this system doesn't have PS2 ports. Doesn't work in safe mode, and applying Last Known Good didn't work either. It's really weird. Unfortunately this means I can't even get into windows itself to see what's going on, because it's passworded and it won't let me type to get past that point.

I'm out of ideas. Is a repair install the only option at this point?

 

[HCHTech]

So this is a first...client requested a revert to Win 7 and was within the 30 day period so I started the process...all went well and Win 7 is back, but keyboards won't work at all. I know it's not the USB port because mice will work, and it will work in BIOS. But as soon as Windows loads up to the password entry screen it's no response at all from keyboards. Have tried all USB ports, four different keyboards. Normally when I've seen this plugging a PS2 keyboard in will work, but this system doesn't have PS2 ports. Doesn't work in safe mode, and applying Last Known Good didn't work either. It's really weird. Unfortunately this means I can't even get into windows itself to see what's going on, because it's passworded and it won't let me type to get past that point.

I'm out of ideas. Is a repair install the only option at this point?

Can you bring up the on-screen keyboard on the login page? If so, use the mouse to type the password and login that way - once Windows loads plug in the keyboard and see if it will recognize it and load the driver correctly.

 

[TechLady]

Can you bring up the on-screen keyboard on the login page? If so, use the mouse to type the password and login that way - once Windows loads plug in the keyboard and see if it will recognize it and load the driver correctly.

I can't believe I forgot about that. Thank you!

 

[cypress]

Do you have a PS/2 to USB adapter for keyboard? Actually have one of those myself and it has saved my butt before. lol

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

did you already check upperfilter registry entries for the keyboard?

 

[Porthos]

Not a helpful comment but this is why I will never attempt a roll back. I fix the 10 "issues/dislikes' (100% success on this so far) or nuke and pave unless there is an Image backup from Win 7. And will charge accordingly.

 

[TechLady]

did you already check upperfilter registry entries for the keyboard?

I'm in now; I've now reinstalled the proper drivers three times from HP and it's done nothing whatsoever. Will poke around the registry and after that it's looking like it might be repair install time.

Good job, Microsoft.

 

[GTP]

I've had the same issue three times so far. I spent a lot more time than I should have trying to fix this issue without success!
I know my colleagues on this forum will disagree, but save yourself the headaches and just nuke and pave!

 

[nlinecomputers]

I know my colleagues on this forum will disagree, but save yourself the headaches and just nuke and pave!

We aren't reading the same forum. Plenty of techs feel that Nuke and Pave is underrated and ignored too often. I keep images on hand ready to deploy. Results in a fresh install instead of a cobbled together fix. OP started this thread a few days ago. I'd Nuke and Pave if I couldn't fix it in one hour.

 

[TechLady]

We aren't reading the same forum. Plenty of techs feel that Nuke and Pave is underrated and ignored too often. I keep images on hand ready to deploy.

Curious how you do that on a financial and practical level...cloud storage? Lots of hard drives? Servers?

 

[nlinecomputers]

It is a NAS unit but I have ONE image for each version of Windows. I have a Win 7 Home and Pro, 8 Home and Pro and 10 Home and Pro. I use to keep 32 bit and 64 bit but I've stopped maintaining the 32bit anymore. I spin up a VM and patch the images with the latest patches and then update my images. A system comes in with a problem and needs an N&P I just flash the image over, fix driver issues, then I sysprep it and set the product key, install end user software and restore FABS backed data. NEXT.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

It is a NAS unit but I have ONE image for each version of Windows. I have a Win 7 Home and Pro, 8 Home and Pro and 10 Home and Pro. I use to keep 32 bit and 64 bit but I've stopped maintaining the 32bit anymore. I spin up a VM and patch the images with the latest patches and then update my images. A system comes in with a problem and needs an N&P I just flash the image over, fix driver issues, then I sysprep it and set the product key, install end user software and restore FABS backed data. NEXT.

Do you do 8 and 8.1 or just one of those? I can only recall re-installing 8 on one machine. We typically get Windows 7 machines.

 

[nlinecomputers]

8.1 is the only supported version. My images are fully patched.

 

[Kathles]

Try to turn off filter keys, and it might have been activated by holding SHIFT key for 5 seconds.