I don't believe you're having a keyboard problem; rather, a SATA problem.  The SX-280 uses a SATA hard drive, so if you aren't using a Win XP installation CD that was shipped with the computer by Dell, the drivers won't be there.  Try going to system setup and changing the SATA controller to Compatible instead of Normal.  This sets the controller into a mode that should allow use of the standard IDE controller that is usually found on a Win XP setup disk.

Jack, I tried changing the SATA controller to combination instead or normal in system setup as you suggested...I figured that was it, but I'm still stuck at welcome to setup with no keyboard access. I am going to try and find the disks that came with the machine, someone on campus should have them...

If anyone else has another idea, I'm all ears!

Thanks!

Sorry about that; I thought that would certainly do it.  You escaped from setup selecting the option to save changes?  The only other thing I wonder about is the setting of the USB controller.  I would hope that the default setting should do it, but you should make sure by resetting the NVRAM.  You can do that by removing the battery from the motherboard for a few minutes, but there is also a procedure in the user's guide, shown here:  Clearing CMOS Settings.

duhduhdull,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Are you using USB keyboards? Are they plugged into the rear USB ports? Can you get into the bios?  If so, check to make sure that the USB controller is set to ON.

No problem Jack, I thought for sure that was the problem...Anyway, I cleared the CMOS settings and am getting the same error. At this point, I think I need to find the original media (or ask around and try and find someone with the original media), as I have spent enough time on this...

Thanks again

the computer only has USB ports, and I can get to setup, USB is on, and keyboard is plugged into the back...

I am giving up for now, at least until I can find replacement media..

Thanks!