Hello, I have a Inspiron 1525 that is running Windows XP Home Edition. I've recently run into the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) for Unmountable Boot Volume. I have a recovery disc but I am unable to use the arrow keys to run the disc instead of the hard drive. I can get to the menu that will allow me to select between the HDD and running from the CD / DVD drive but am simply unable to figure out how to scroll down. I get to this menu by simply pressing F12 when prompted during the initial load-up. If I don't press anything I get a screen telling me that Windows did not start properly and am offered the options of opening in Safe Mode, Safe Mode With Network and Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Again, I cannot use the arrow keys at this screen to even select any of the Safe Mode options. This screen also has a 30 second countdown until it tries to load Windows XP Home Edition again. Once that countdown is finished, I end up with the BSOD. I do know that by pressing F2 I can enter Setup and I can use the right arrow key to exit out of the Setup, so I know that it's likely not an issue with the arrow keys themselves. Somehow I must have locked the arrow keys and cannot use them. I can also press F8 at the initial Dell screen and I get a screen that lists all the operating systems on the computer, thus the only one on my laptop is the Windows XP Home Edition. From this screen I can press F8 again for troubleshooting and advanced startup options such as the aforementioned Safe Mode options, Enable Boot Logging, Enable VGA Mode, Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), Directory Services Restore Mode, Debugging Mode, Disable automatic restart on system failure, Start Windows Normally, Reboot, and Return to OS Choices Menu. Again, I cannot use the arrow keys to make any selections. The only selection I can make is the already highlighted Start Windows Normally.
Arrow Key Problems booting from CD / DVD / CD-RW Drive
- Thread starter DarylR
- Start date
That didn't do anything either. I turned it off for over a minute, turned it back on, struck F12 key once when prompted and am still unable to use arrow keys.
You mentioned a Microsoft keyboard. Does it have to be Microsoft brand or can it simply be any keyboard with a USB plug
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