Booting Problem

[SteveD]

Newish desktop PC Acer XC-605. Windows 8.1.

When I first switch on the PC, it boots to the "rainbow" screen. I press enter and it goes to the green log-in screen but the keyboard is dead. The mouse cursor moves but that is the only action it performs.

If I restart the PC, everything is back to normal. I have checked the keyboard and mouse connections.

Is there something simple I could do or would a system restore be a better option?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[VHG]

Did you buy the PC system unit on its own and plug in your own keyboard?

I assume it is a USB keyboard.

If so check the BIOS settings to ensure the option to make USB ports "live" before Windows loads is set ON.

I don't think it is the problem but it does not hurt to check.

Try moving the keyboard and mouse to different USB slots.

If you have USB3 slots (blue slots) make sure the keyboard is in one of the USB2 slots not USB3 slots. I may be the USB slots are not live till Windows loads the drivers.

Again, I am not sure it is the problem but it does not hurt to try.

[VHG]

Sorry that should say:

It may be the USB3 slots are not live till Windows loads the drivers.

[SteveD]

The (Acer) keyboard was supplied in the box with the PC and all was well till recently.

I'll check the BIOS settings.

[SteveD]

Thanks for the answers. I sat and watched the PC boot up this morning and it went straight to the rainbow screen without offering the possibility to press a key to get to the BIOS. However, I was able to type in my password without problem.

It's only a few weeks old and came with Windows 8.1.

When I have had the problem, moving the mouse cursor to the password box and left clicking had no effect.

The green screen is my personal log-in screen. When I click on the rainbow screen or press enter, the green screen opens. I haven't set it like this - it has always done it since the PC was new.

I tend to work on the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle. I have only encountered the problem I describe in the last week. As it worked OK this morning, I'll try it for a few more days to see what happens.

[SteveD]

Over the last few days, I have watched the PC as it boots up.

Sometimes it opens a black "Acer" screen and "Press "Del" for set-up" appears for a few seconds at the bottom left of the screen. It then goes to the rainbow screen, I click on the screen or press Enter, it goes to the green log-in screen, the keyboard is active and I put in my password and everything is fine.

Other times, it skips the black "Acer" screen and very quickly opens the rainbow screen. The keyboard is inactive. I have to do a restart, then everything works normally.

Consequently, I don't think that the problem is with the keyboard.

Any more ideas would be welcome.