Share via

Accessing Files on a Windows XP PC with a Non-Functional Keyboard

Eric Little 0 Reputation points
2025-02-13T01:56:18.35+00:00

Details

A Windows XP Professional (32bit) PC has a frozen keyboard, preventing login. The goal is to copy data off this machine.

Attempts to Fix:

  • Boot from hard drive in normal mode: boots to Windows login prompt, mouse works, but keyboard does not.
  • Boot in Safe Mode: Windows freezes on startup.
  • Boot from Windows startup ISO on USB: Windows freezes on startup.
  • Boot from Windows startup ISO on CD: Windows freezes on startup.

System Details:

  • Operating System: Windows XP running on a Dell Precision.
  • Note: The hard drive has bad sectors.
  • Dell Diagnostics pass all tests except for the hard drive.
  • The machine boots up to the login prompt with a functional mouse but a non-functional keyboard.

Question: Any suggestions to access the PC files off of the bad hard drive?

Details

A Windows XP Professional (32bit) PC has a frozen keyboard, preventing login. The goal is to copy data off this machine.

Attempts to Fix:

  • Boot from hard drive in normal mode: boots to Windows login prompt, mouse works, but keyboard does not.
  • Boot in Safe Mode: Windows freezes on startup.
  • Boot from Windows startup ISO on USB: Windows freezes on startup.
  • Boot from Windows startup ISO on CD: Windows freezes on startup.

System Details:

  • Operating System: Windows XP running on a Dell Precision.
  • Note: The hard drive has bad sectors.
  • Dell Diagnostics pass all tests except for the hard drive.
  • The machine boots up to the login prompt with a functional mouse but a non-functional keyboard.

Question: Any suggestions to access the PC files off of the bad hard drive?

Windows
Windows
A family of Microsoft operating systems that run across personal computers, tablets, laptops, phones, internet of things devices, self-contained mixed reality headsets, large collaboration screens, and other devices.
5,798 questions
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Darrell Gorter 2,301 Reputation points
    2025-02-13T22:48:07.79+00:00

    Hello,

    Try looking for an accessibility option on the Windows XP logon screen.

    This may be under the Help menu.

    It's been too long since I looked at a Windows XP logon screen, I know some versions of Windows had an option to enable the accessibility options on the logon screens.

    If you find the accessibility options, enable the on screen keyboard, which will take mouse clicks.

    Darrell

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.