A guide to Input Device Issues on an OptiPlex Desktop PC

The following article provides information on how to identify and resolve issue with input devices on a Dell Desktop PC.

1. Resolving Input Device Issues on a Desktop

Input Devices is another name for desktop peripherals such as the Keyboard and Mouse, that allow you to control and input information to your PC.

Keyboards and mice can be Wired or Wireless. The connectors can be USB or Din.

External Keyboard, Mouse

(Fig.1 External Keyboard and Mouse)

I'll take you through some common issues and the quickest troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve those issues.

Note: If you have other input devices, such as pens and tablets, joysticks and game controllers. Please read your manual or contact the supplier of the device for support.

Input Issues.

The common issues with input devices are things like:

Device not found on startup
Device not found when the Operating System (OS) starts.
Intermittent connection.
Lack of control when device in use.

The troubleshooting below will take you through identifying and then narrowing down the issue, to help resolve the problem.

2. Hardware Troubleshooting

Check the Device for damage. Are there any signs of a liquid spill? Are there any parts broken off? Do all buttons and keys cleanly depress when pushed and rebound and function?
1. If there is damage you will need to look at replacing the device. If the damage is with the system, you will be looking at a charge for the PC to be repaired.
2. If there is no damage then proceed to the next step.
Swap the device to another system. Does the same thing happen there? If you plug another device to your system do you see the same issue?
1. If the fault follows the device, then you need to replace the device.
2. If the fault stays with the system with a known good working device plugged up, then carry on with section 2 step 3.
3. If the fault is seen on both systems, go to section 2 step 5 or contact your support to take it further.
4. If the fault isn't seen on either machine, then it was a connection issue and should be resolved by a reseat.
5. If its an intermittent issue then go to section 2 step 4.
6. If you don't have a similar known good device or another system you can test the device on then proceed to section 3 step 1.

Note: The best device to test with is a wired USB Device.

If the fault was that the keyboard wasn't detected on Boot and stayed with the system. Press either the F2 or F12 keys rapidly at the Dell Splash Screen. Does the system enter the BIOS or the boot once menu?
1. If it does then the issue is with your OS. Go to section 3 step 1.
2. If it doesn't then the issue is outside of the OS. Try the device in another port (Most desktops have USB ports on both the front and the rear of the PC. Make sure to test both the front and the back Ports.) If that resolves the issue then contact your support about an issue with a particular port to take the issue further.
If the issue is intermittent does moving the devices wire while it's still plugged to the system affect how the device functions?
1. If so and the device is fine on another system, then it's a loose port. Contact your support to report the issue.
2. If so and the device is the same on another system, then replace the device.
Try a different type of device such as a hard drive, USB pen drive, phone or camera in the same ports that your original device fails in. Are the new devices picked up correctly and do they work as expected?
1. If they do then the issue is most likely a compatibility issue with your device. I would advise you contact the supplier of the original device.
2. If not then contact your support to take this further.

The first software troubleshooting step is usually to rule the Operating System (OS) out of the issue. We need to do this if the fault stays with the system, regardless of the port the device is plugged to or if you have been unable to test with known good parts. I'll also give some intermediate steps you can try to recover from any issues, but you will need to decide if it's quicker and easier for you to rule out the OS or go through the intermediate steps.

You can rule out the OS by two way swapping the Hard Drive and seeing if the fault follows the drive or stays with the unit? If you don't have a known good system or hard drive to test with, then the next step is to recover or reinstall your Operating system. Alternatively you can boot from an Ubuntu Live CD and see if the same issue is seen? I would advise checking the user manual for your system type, for instructions on removing and fitting parts. If you don't have an Ubuntu Live CD you can download an ISO from the link below. To boot from a CD tap rapidly on the F12 key at the Dell splash screen and select the correct option from the Boot once menu.
- Ubuntu Download Link.
  
  (Fig.2 Dell Boot Once Menu)
1. If the fault is seen when booting from the live CD or from a known good working Hard Drive, then contact your support to take this further.
2. The fault isn't seen on the live CD or works fine with a known good working Hard Drive installed. Proceed with the guide to restore or reinstall your OS.

If the troubleshooting points to your OS and you have the time to troubleshoot the Software further, you can try these steps before restoring or reinstalling your OS.

If you are experiencing input device issues there are several steps you can try before the last resort of a OS reinstall. The first step would be to try a system restore. I've listed guides below for each OS possible. Please take the system back to a date before the input issues started. Does this resolve your issue?
1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.
2. No, then proceed to the section 3 step 3.

Go to your Control Panel and then open Device Manager. Uninstall the appropriate Driver from your PC, then go to the Dell Support Site and download and install the latest driver listed for your device. If it's a USB device then you will want to delete and recreate the USB Hub instead. (Right click on each USB hub and select uninstall. Reboot the system to recreate the Hubs.) Does this resolve the issue?
1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.
2. No, then proceed to section 3 step 4.
Go into the input device properties in Control Panel. Make sure everything is set to defaults and that nothing is set to disabled. Ensure your device is correctly listed and is reported as being in a working condition. does this resolve your issue?
1. Yes, then your issue is resolved.
2. No, then proceed to section 3 step 5.
If you are still experiencing issues at this point, then I'm afraid the next step is to reinstall the OS. This can be done either from restoring factory settings or using your installation media. . Please ensure you've backed up everything you want to keep to an external source. Please make sure you have all your serial and Product ID's handy for any software reinstallation. You can find a link below to articles taking you through the various processes for whichever OS you have on your System.
- How to Guides for the Windows and Ubuntu Operating Systems.

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Article ID: SLN284420

Last Date Modified: 09/19/2017 06:17 AM