Recover from serious error - i8042prt.sys

[clinfo]

Every time I start up my new Dell computer, I get a message Windows XP has recovered from a serious error. The event log tells me that the i8042prt service did not load. This is for a PS/2 keyboard and mouse port. My machine has USB keyboard and mouse. Any suggestions on how to fix/ get rid of this error.

Many thanks.

 

[Guest_imported]

check the device manager for dual entries under usb or under the mice pointers etc, delete all your usb ports and mice pointers and reboot let xp reinstall the ones that actually exist. shouldnt reinstall things that arent attached

 

[Staples]

My new Dell laptop had similar errors. There was a BIOS upgrade on the support section of Dell's site for my machine. I ran the upgrade and have not seen any more 'serious error' messages.

 

[clinfo]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did find a BIOS upgrade, unfortunately it did help. Tried deleting usb intries, etc. Except for having to hit the big red switch because all of a sudden I had no keyboard or mouse (bit of a suprise), after they reinstalled, the error still came up. I did not find any duplicate entries of anything.