KISS

Thank you MDGx for your information and the link. Looks like I have a lot of work to do. Again, thank you, I appreciate it.

Unlike Windows 7, during the initial installation process of Windows XP, USB connected keyboards are not polled whereas PS2 keyboards are. In the case where you have a defective keyboard and the only alternative is a USB connected one, you are effectively locked out. This particular pc is a Toshiba NB100 netbook which were known to have fragile keyboards. I use it as a net top with a USB keyboard. In trying to resolve this problem I've found various forum discussions but no real solution. Is there a method whereby USB keyboard drivers can be slipstreamed in?