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Okay, I got a small problem. I recently got a laptop where the keyboard is totally messed up due to water damage. It sends signals at random, keys do not act like they should etc.

Is there a way to disable the keyboard in the laptop? I mean make the computer not accept any more signals from it in favor of a USB keyboard.

I simply tried plugging the USB in and it caused a complete mess. Laptop is a Toshiba Satellite, old one from over three years ago. OS is Windows XP Professional SP3.

Any help would be appreciated.

You could try Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> Keyboards -> Standard PS/2 Keyboard -> Uninstall. Failing that, open the case and pull or snip the ribbon cable connecting the keyboard to the motherboard.

A bit of googling seems to imply the only way to disable it is to disconnect the ribbon attaching it to the motherboard.

Starglider wrote:You could try Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> Keyboards -> Standard PS/2 Keyboard -> Uninstall.

Can anyone confirm that this will work? Have you tried it?

Failing that, open the case and pull or snip the ribbon cable connecting the keyboard to the motherboard.

Yeah, that is my worst-case scenario. Because it isn't my laptop and I just do not want to open it because I fear I might damage something. I'll do it though if nothing else works.

Alright, Starglider's solution apparently worked. The USB keyboard is now accepted without trouble and my friend says thanks. That just saved him a great deal of work and money.

I had a HP and a Toshiba both with key boards messed up. All I did was open it open removed the inlaid keyboard. Once its removed plug in the USB key board and it started up fine. Most laptops have replaceable keyboards.