I've got an old laptop that has some data on it that I need (or at least desire) for my trip. I haven't used it in a year or so. I just tried to boot it up, and it seems to load Windows, but when I hit ctrl-alt-del to log in to W2K, as it prompts me, nothing happens.

The shift lock key lights up the light, so at least that part of the keyboard is working. Does anyone know what the problem might be, or if there's some way around the three-finger salute to boot into Windows? My only other option (assuming that I don't have a serious keyboard problem) is to boot into Linux, and then try to mount the Windows drive. If I have to do that, I'll have to give up, because I have too many other things to do tonight. Though I guess I could throw the machine in the suitcase and try to figure it out when I get there.

[Update on Wednesday night, in Laramie]

OK, booted into Linux. Or rather, attempted to boot into Linux. When I type "root," it comes out "rt." No "o." No lots of keys. Probably bad contacts from lack of use. I might try hooking up a USB keyboard tomorrow, at least to get the data off it. I suspect that if I wanted to invest the effort, I could open it up and get things good again with some contact cleaner.

Rand - it sounds like it is a keyboard issue, unfortunately. Are possibly any keys stuck down, by any chance? Unfortunately, a keyboard replacement is extremely quick and easy - if you have an extra keyboard. I hope you're able to get it working. Good luck!

Home Network - remote desk top or VNC

Or external keyboard, which may or may not override a stuck key on the main keyboard.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Keyboard thingy. change your way? did you try using the other control, and alt keys?

I know, it's a stupid suggestion, but if it's a keyboard thing, sometimes that works. And if you don't intend to keep it, (in all seriousness) punch it, hard.

Might just have another key stuck down, and punching works (only if you aren't interested in keeping it)

But actually, now that I think about it, you are a smart guy, so why not just gank the HD, and put it into another laptop or some such.

Nevermind. If it was a keyboard thing, using the other keys sometimes works, and (it is true) punching is an possibly destructive option, but you most of that crap anyways.

so I appologize for that.

"Posted by Wickedpinto at November 8, 2006 02:21 AM"

Hmmm, the bars close at 2 a.m. -- coincidence, I think not.

I just wanted to work in punching the keyboard.

Another possibility is to get one of those external drive enclosures which turns a 2.5" drive into a USB drive, and just yank out the drive and pop it in. Of course, that might take too long...

Something like this is what I'm referring to: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=316123

If all you need is the data and everything else should be working,Plug it in to your home network.

From a Working Windows Workstation open up an explorer window (or the Run Prompt)
and Type \\Computername\C$ (C$ is the hidden admin share)
then enter your administrator ID and password. you can then copy everything off the C: Drive

(Ifyou don't remember your computer name then you can go into your Router and see what IP Addressed got served up to the Laptop and replace computername with the IP Address