XP Install USB Keyboard not recognised

I'm trying to clean install Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron desktop and
have a bit of a problem.

The keyboard works to change the boot settings in the BIOS (the mouse
lights up too), allows me to "Press key to boot from CD..." the mouse
stays lit whilst Windows setup gets all its drivers loaded then when it
gets to the "Enter to install, R to repair" etc. the keyboard doesn't
work and the mouse laser goes out.

I've checked all usb ports and no joy and there is no PS2 socket, the
keyboard isn't locked (it doesn't even light up).

Obviously I can't install windows unless I can get it recognise the enter
key...

The machine already has Ubuntu and I'm overwriting it so "Install Linux",
"Anglegrinder" and "TIUTA" can all join O:SYFF.

Any ideas?

 

Is there a bios setting to enable legacy usb ?

 

Nothing "legacy" in the BIOS, USB is enabled.

 

Weird.... there's normally a bios switch that allows enumeration of usb in
non legacy os's, might be worth trying a couple of other keyboards, and I've
got a USB -> PS/2 - KEYB converter I can lend you to try out which might
work.

 

I've got one of those but there's no PS2 input on the Dell box.

Unless you mean it allows a PS2 keyboard to be attached to a USB socket -
the problem is the USB sockets seem to die as the mouse goes out too.

 

The latter, we use them in production where we have a mix of operating
systems at various stages of installation. As long as you have a PS/2
Keyboard & mouse still knocking around somewhere.

 

I may have fixed it.

After a bit of poking about with Google it turns out that an XP Install
+SP2 works. The genuine copy I have is XP only, I have a "backup" copy
of XP+SP2 which now seems to be working (I've managed to progress to
format the HDD) keyboard reacts properly.

I just hope the genuine XP Pro key I have works with the XP Pro "backup".

 

If you've access to another machine you could slipstream SP3 onto the
legit CD you have... which would solve the problem and also mean
you're not stuck with a dodgy cd.

Here's how..
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/Slipstreaming_Windows_XP_Service_Pack_3.html