XP AND MY KEYBOARD

this is not a new keyboard. I cannot use my keyboard or mouse (both USB).
The boot up goes to the log on screen but with out the keyboard I can't.
I cannot use a plug in keyboard. My mother board doesn't have a plug for that.
I'm talking to you on my old (OLD) laptop.
I have never had this problem before

But it's always come down to the basics. Your reply didn't tell me if you used any of my ideas. That is, it appears you need someone to fix your PC? I couldn't tell.
Bob

I tried to start in safemode but cannot use the keyboard to log in here either.

Flip to the other keyboard setting in the bios.

-> Is there any reason I can't have the make and model or better yet, the manual to this PC so I can point out the setting I change a lot?
Bob

I used tab key to get to safe mode
I used del key to get to bios
I don't have a make and model. The only thing original about this thing is the case.
The mother board has been in about two years. It is an ASUS with a quad processor.
I haven't changed anything lately. I powered it down last Sunday. When I powered up today,
I had to cycle power a couple of times to get it started.
I'm wondering if I messed up something in XL. I have use of the key board only before xl starts.

i'm still trying to find the keyboard switch in bios

still haven't found keyboard in bios

But I need a manual for this board/bios/machine. The bios entry goes by many names such as legacy, keyboard, DOS keyboard supprot, etc.
Bob

ASUS M3A76-CM
HOWEVER, I don't understand what happened. I can use the same keyboard while in bios or the safe start screen, just not on the XL log in page??
I'm familiar with computers, been working with them for 45 years but don't know how to fix this.

But when machines age, the bios battery gets low or some dozens of reasons this does happen in some machines. I didn't find the manual but I bet you have one or a link to one for me to look.

I ran repair shops for years so I've seen a lot of this and since the BIOS entry goes by a few names I look around for the usual names. Folk that are new to PCs tend to want an exact name and unless I see the screens or the manual shows them I can't give the exact setting I try.

There are also a few failed motherboards along the way and it's been one of those odd failures that has the consumer miffed at the shop because they feel like we lied about the failure since it worked in the bios.

Sorry but to go any further with troubleshooting costs boatloads so the cheap fix is to swap boards. We always look over the BIOS just in case along with trying another keyboard.
Bob