Keyboard locks after lights flash on keyboard...HELP!

[Digit]

I built this machine from scratch, currently using Win 98, and it is a Pentium II.
I have another machine I am building, but not done yet.
Anyway, for my problem...
My daughter's boyfriend was over helping me in the yard and had asked to use my computer to send my daughter an email. I questioned him, and made it clear that it was ONLY to be used to send her an email.
Well, he was opening all his email much to my surprise. I let him have it.
Now maybe it is for other reasons, but at about the same time, I began having problems.
Let me just say I have run Housecall, and Kaspersky and nothing came up. I regularly run Spyware Blaster, Spybot S&D and have AVG running at all times.
My symptoms have to do with all the lights flashing in unison on my keyboard and then my keyboard will lock up. On other occasions, the scroll lock key will stay lit and I will be locked. Sometimes I will try to type, and a different letter will appear instead of what I have typed. Sometimes, and S will appear when I have not typed anything at all. I have tried removing the keyboard and letting windows find the drivers all over again.
I have of course checked to make sure the cables are securely connected.
Internet searches have not helped to determine the cause of my problems. Sometimes, I will reboot and STILL cannot type anything.
The mouse however does work at all times.
I have removed all cookies, I have scanned the HD and done a defrag, and still the problem persists.
I am truly mystified.
Oh, and this guy did not put anything on my system....he is not bright enough to do that. In fact, he called my attention to an email he received stating he had inherited money...yada yada yada.
After a quick search on the web, I showed him how it was a hoax.
Of course this moron opened the message, plus others I will never know about.
Can anyone help me?

[RoyGBiv]

1. Guessing ...

Have you tried using a different keyboard? They go bad sometimes.

[salvorhardin]

2. The flashing lights

are signalling the UFOs to land. Stay by your computer for prompt probing. :-)

Seriously, what RoyGBiv said. Try a different keyboard.

[Digit]

3. I never had a keyboard go bad, so not experienced in what can happen

Keyboards are cheap, and I will go tomorrow and get a new one.
I didn't know whether the symptoms were a result of hardware issues or "other stuff".
I appreciate the replies.

[bemildred]

4. As an aside,

there are three kinds of keyboards, old style, PS2, and USB.
Depending on the type of connections you have on yr MoBo, you
could switch among them.

Yr symptoms sound like a failed POST, so a broke KB fits very well.
What happens when the POST fails on the KB depends, some machines
run W/O monitor and KB, but locking up until it's fixed is usually
the default.

[lpbk2713]

5. What kind of "beep" code do you hear?

Normally you should only hear one long beep when your machine goes to BIOS. Your problem is very basic in that your machine won't even make it thru BIOS. I agree with the posts above. It sounds like there's a problem with the keyboard itself. There could be a key stuck down or perhaps the boyfriend spilled a beverage on it. You checked to see if the plug is seated good, didn't you? See if you can borrow a keyboard from someone or from work and give it a try. If you find that you need another one and you're trying to keep expenses down you can usually find a keyboard at garage/yard sales very cheap. Just be sure you get the type that matches the plug on the one you're using now.


:thumbsup:

[Digit]

6. One long beep

It works fine at other times, like now, since I am typing this message from that system.

I broke down and bought a new keyboard today. It is a Logitec and I have had good experiences with that brand with the bonus being it was only 12.99.
I have an adapter which I use to convert a PS/2 to USB.

I began building a new system almost a year ago, and really need to finish it up. I have all the parts, but will need to remove my ethernet card and use my old router.
Setting up my old router on the new system is going to be my downfall I fear.