Hallo again kestrel1...
You asked if I've tried a repair install of Win2k; I don't want to do this unless it's absolutely necessary because of the mass of stuff inc. updates I'd lose.
Having installed ERUNT, ERDNT & NTREGOPT from
I can now fairly easily revert to an earlier, good version of my Registry in case of trouble, so I decided to try the procedure recommended in the MS article (2 June posting in this thread).
FYI, according to the Lars Hederer, his program is also good for XP
Here's the procedure in brief (with my results in brackets):
A. Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt
B. Change the Start REG_DWORD value from 0x4 to 0x1 (I found it already set to 0x1)
C. Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\kbdhid
D. Change the Start REG_DWORD value 0x1 to 0x4 (I found it set to 0x00000001, so changed it to 4)
E. Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\ACPI\PNP0303\3&13c0b0c5&0
F. Change the Service REG_SZ value kbdhid to i8042prt (found it already set to i8042prt, but Win2K would not let me change it)
G. Exit Regedit
By trial and error I discovered that the value 0x1 in HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt enables the PS/2 keyboard and the value 0x4 disables it. The same applies to the value in HKLM\...\kbdhid for the USB keyboard. Logically, therefore, I should do the opposite of what the article says and set kbdhid to 0x1 to let the USB keyboard work. By the same logic, I should change my existing
HKLM\...\Enum\ACPI\PNP0303\3&13c0b0c5&0 value to kbdhid, but as indicated in F above, I can't.
According to the MS KB article, when I right-click on my key ACPI\P0303\3&13c0b0c5&0 I should see a Permissions or Security option, but I see only the options Collapse, New, Find, Delete, Rename and Copy Key Name. This shouldn't matter since the point is only that I must be able to make the changes specified in the article. It's strange that I can't, because having checked via Control Panel, Users & Passwords, Advanced, Advanced User Management, Advanced, Users, I have the same rights as Administrator.
If you've any ideas on this "F" problem, pls advise!
Just for the record, here's a recap of my problem:
I run Win2K Pro, SP4 + all updates
I use a Microsoft Optical Wireless Desktop 700 (wireless keyboard + wireless mouse + shared USB Receiver)
I use Win2K default drivers (i.e. no MS Intellitype software, although I've tried loading various versions of this with no improvement)
New batteries and repositioning Receiver with respect to the keyboard bring no improvement
When keyboard isn't working, LED on Receiver nevertheless blinks in sync with key presses
Mouse always works
Keyboard works in BIOS
Keyboard works after booting into Linux from CD
Keyboard fails to work after booting into Win2K when any device --including a hub whether powered or not and whether with devices connected to it or not-- is plugged into any USB port
Device Manager shows all drivers OK even when keyboard is in "not working" mode (no yellow marks on any device)
As soon as the Receiver is unplugged and replugged into any USB port, the keyboard immediately starts working
If wired PS/2 keyboard plugged in before Win2K boots even if devices or hub were also plugged in beforehand, USB keyboard (and PS/2 keyboard) works
I recently installed the program What's Running (
which reports the following keyboard-related items:
--With PS/2 wired keyboard not connected and USB keyboard not working,:
Service: HID Input Service (hidserv.exe): running
Module: HID Input Service (HidServ): running
Driver: Keyboard HID Driver (Kbdhid): running
Driver: Keyboard Class Driver (Kbdclass): running
Driver: i8042 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port Driver (i8042prt): stopped
--With PS/2 wired keyboard connected and USB wireless keyboard therefore working, as above except
Driver: i8042 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port Driver (i8042prt): running
Curiously, the HID Keyboard Device driver Keyboard.drv V3.10.00.103 indicated by SiSoftware Sandra Pro Home (see 3 July posting) is not listed by What's Running