Bob Bailin

"Yojimbo" <yojimbo39@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:XbEnh.54523$gl2.34543@newsfe16.lga...
> My system downstairs is a homebuilt based around a A7N8X mobo with good RAM,
> graphics card, etc. running XP. It's not cutting edge but I'd sooner not
> throw it out. For now, it won't run because it doesn't detect the keyboard.
> Late last week, the cat got bored with sitting beside me and jumped on my
> shoulder. Except he's gained weight since the times when it was cute. Claws
> dug in. The keyboard went flying and three of the keyboard's pins broke off
> in the PS2 socket. Of course, another keyboard won't work because the pins
> are still in. I set up my old PC for now running W98 (took some time until I
> found out about the Tango setup CD from the MTS service agent, then easy)
> though it's more vulnerable than my XP setup. Then I researched ways to try
> tp fix it.
> Point is, option 1 was to get a dental pick and extrude the pins from the
> inside. But the plug is enclosed on all sides. The alternative seems to be
> either to find a place to unsolder and replace the keyboard/mouse part or
> replace the mobo. And the XP may not boot the HD's (one 60G IDE and one 100
> SATA) with a different model of mobo.
> I got an email when I was trolling for suggestions; some McGuyver suggested
> I use a paerclip and Krazy Glue.
>
> I talked to the local PC repair shop and he's suggesting I use a USB
> keyboard. But it halts in the BIOS boot. The USB is an install after the
> Wndows installation on the ASUS disk. I'm sure it won't work but the USB
> keyboard is the suggestion I've being getting often. Would a USB keyboard
> work? and does anyone have a good suggestion?

A replacement A7N8X motherboard is available on eBay from US$0.99 and
up. Just buy one and do a swap. And this time, remember to enable USB
legacy support in the BIOS.

Bob