Allibert wrote:Alan - is it a notebook or desktop? If it's a desktop, what type of keyboard connection: PS/2 or USB? Are any lights (eg. CAPS lock or NumLock showing on boot? Have you tried a different keyboard? If it's a PS/2 keyboard, have you tried disconnecting it and trying a USB keyboard (I have one if you need to borrow it).
Also try booting from your install CD, some offer you an option to boot to a DOS prompt. From there, see if the keyboard is working.
Am about to start the clutching at straws options!
P
had a wireless one but that stopped working - via USB. since that didn't work attached a ps/2 one - doesn't work either and can't boot from PC

Keyboard on the otherhand may fault and freeze. So check the connections. USB ports break quite often especially on all in one motherboards! If that's the case it may mean a new motherboard.
So you have another problem what's your location, you can PM me, I used to build computers by the hundreds, although it's going back 12 years and much has changed. How many beeps, does the computer make after pressing the start button, it should only beep once if it's a desk top.
When first turn on, it will go through it's checks, it tells you to press delete or F2 sometimes F8 to enter Bios. But if you haven't a clue it's best left to someone that knows what they are doing.
It could be a simple connection problem, memory problem, or hard disk problem, or even the motherboard, most likely to be the hard disk operating system is corrupted, although the number of beeps is an indicator of the fault. 1 beep is OK, 2 beeps i think is memory and 3 beeps hard disk, 4 keyboard. if it beeps once for OK and is freezing, then the files of the OS are corrupt! Maybe virus, may be a change in the registry, also closing down the OS the wrong way can corrupt the files.
I do have my Computer bible with me, although its a wee old now. The quickest way would be to fdisk and reinstall the operating system, if you have it on disk, it's located on a partition drive D, then you may have a problem, unless you can bump start it from the BIOS or get to the dos promt.