Yesterday the keyboard on our other PC went kaput. I went and bought a new one today as the other one was pretty old and I assumed it was just at the end of it's life. Having connected the new one, it still doesn't work. Everything else on the PC is fine (even though it is old and slow). Any ideas folks?

Thank you.

I'm sure I'll get corrected on this but I think you have to go into control panel and configure it from the keyboard option. I dont think keyboards are "plug 'n' play".

Keyboards should just work out the box. Is it a USB or PS2 connector? Have you tried the new keyboard on your other PC? If not, try it, if it works that suggests to me that the socket your plugging it into is knackered.

..and if it is a ps2 connector, go get a keyboard that will plug into a usb port. (or vice versa)

Well I am not very techy but I do know that the connection for the keyboard is not USB as the kids PC is old and doesn't even have a USB port!(hey it does ok for them!) It's a different connection to our other PC so can't try it on there. My gut feeling says it's the socket that's knackered. Any idea how much it would cost to fix? I don't want to spend too much as like I say, the pc is very old and very slow but it does the kids fine.

Thanks

It depends, if it is one of those connections that are part of the motherboard, which is the main computer, the one with all the electrical stuff on it, then it is impossible to replace, but I do believe a lot of the older machines have the connector fitted by a ribbon cable and therefore are dead easy to replace, and very cheap too, Alladins Cave on Middlewood Road, Leppings Lane tram stop can help with that, they sell the item very cheap, well worth checking out.

is the plug/socket round, but bigger than the round plug you get on most mice? Im guessing its an old AT motherboard youve got. If the sockets gone theres not a lot you can do short of replacing the motherboard, and as they dont make boards to that standard anymore, theres a good chance that you wond be able to get a new board that all youe other parts will fit on. Cheapest way to do it if thats the case would probably be a PCI USB card, and a USB keyboard.

Yeah it's a largish round fitting so it sounds like we're looking at a new motherboard etc or a usb thingie!!

Cheers!!

just a thought...what operating system is it running? Anything pre-win98 and it wont support USB devices.

It runs on 98 so we should be ok?

Thanks

should be, it was, if I remember, the second edition of win95 when microsoft started to include support for USB. 98 should be fine.

That's assuming the machine will actually cope with Windows 98.

A quick and easy solution (assuming you are good with or know someone who is good with a soldering iron) is to nip to Maplins or Bardwell's and get a new socket and solder that on.

The keyboard port isn't normally a socket that gets a lot of wear and tear so I wouldn't be inclined to think that is the problem.

Let me know the specs of your PC, I may be able to get your a replacement motherboard, for free.