Keyboard and/or Mouse May Not Work in Safe Mode (258795)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q258795
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer using the Safe Mode option, you may not have access to your mouse or keyboard, or both. However, if you start the computer normally, the devices work correctly.

Similar behavior may occur when you start the computer using the Safe Mode with Networking option.

NOTE: This applies to PS/2 mouse and keyboard.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because of missing or corrupted registry subkey(s).

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Restore Subkeys for Safe Mode

To resolve this issue, restore the missing or corrupted subkey(s):
  1. Obtain a copy of the missing or corrupted subkey(s) from a Windows 2000-based computer that is working properly (subkeys mentioned here are the same on all Windows 2000-based computers):
    1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit.exe, and then click OK.
    2. Locate the following registry key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal

    3. Click to highlight the appropriate subkey:

      Subkey for keyboard {4D36E96B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
      Subkey for mouse {4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

    4. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
    5. Save the file to a disk and give it an appropriate name.
  2. On the Windows 2000-based computer that is experiencing the problem, start Windows Explorer.
  3. Locate the file you created in the previous steps, and then double-click it.
  4. Click Yes when the following dialog box is displayed:
    Are you sure you want to add a:\filename.reg to the registry?
  5. A second dialog box is displayed stating that the subkey was successfully added to the registry.

Restore Subkeys for Safe Mode with Networking

To restore subkey(s) for Safe Mode with Networking, use the steps in the previous "Restore Subkeys for Safe Mode" section and substitute the following registry key in step b:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbSafeMod kbsetup w2000device w2000safemode w2000setup KB258795
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.