USB keyboard and mouse suddenly not recognized

Macboatmaster said:

....When that is complete- check that the Dell XPS now boots from that usb
so you do of course the same as when you are booting anything from usb - one time boot options and IF - usb is shown twice - one as UEFI that is the one you want. of course.


When you know it boots the Dell XPS
The boot the Inspiron.
To confirm to you if necessary that you can use the rescue media to boot any computer of the same architecture - and basic system please see here

If the hardware for all your computers is supported by the default Windows PE driver set, then the answer is a simple yes. You can confirm this on the Rescue Media Wizard drivers page. If all the drivers listed have the status Device support in WinPE or Compatible device support in WinPE for each of your machines then you only need one rescue media.

When you have it made and checked it booted the XPS
then please boot the Inspiron.

It will now find NOT the build that it was made on but the build on the Inspiron - in the WinPE environment, when it does that you click on the restore tab and then click fix boot
See page 343 of the guide I sent you - under this heading.
Fix Boot problems for GPT/UEFI Boot Systems

NOTE if it has not found the FAT ESP/EFI and of course the NTFS Windows partition when the rescue media first booted the inspiron, as I am sure you saw it did when it booted the XPS, then we have a problem

Any questions please ask
Sorry I was a bit late
Took a long time to type this.
Did start it at 2035

UPDATE
I cannot boot the XPS from the USB Rescue Media, because my two available, functioning USB ports will not support that. Specifically, one of the two functioning ports is a Type-C port that I can use only with devices that work with a Type-A to Type-C adapter, and that excludes both the thumb drive and my keyboard. I'm just going to move on to booting the Inspiron laptop now.

Macboatmaster said:

Sorry about that
I got it out of order - somehow - not too difficult when you are trying to type full instructions
It should have read

Then click the tab choose base wim
It should show you the one highlighted and state this is the best for your system.
( usually it will choose the correct one)

then the caution about checking which build it intends to use for the WinPE environment
as on page 305 of the guide.

Then when you have that correct return from advanced and click build.

Sorry about that.

Got it, thanks. And I completely understand how easy it is when quickly typing a bunch of technical steps along with comments/elaboration to end up with some things slightly out of sequence or less than crystal clear. No problem. Thanks again.

- - - Updated - - -

Macboatmaster said:

What a ------- nightmare. I really feel for you.

Yes, indeed, thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

UPDATE:

The Macrium Reflect Rescue Media USB thumb drive has just successfully restored....whatever.....and booted me to my Inspiron's desktop. Yeah!

Now all I need to do (aside from making a new Macrium image pronto) is to somehow avoid having an update **** my Inspiron again. Any suggestions as to how I might determine exactly what update(s) did this?

Finally, thank you Macboatmaster for your outstanding guidance and advice!

Macboatmaster said:

I am very pleased for you.

Many people have doubts that the rescue media made on one computer can fix the boot on another.
I actually once had someone - who declined to even try it. - insisting it could only make it worse.

The image on an external drive is a grand idea.

As to what caused it
1. failed update on battery only. - often a prime cause.
2. Third party AV - on 10 corrupts update especially version update
3. Unwanted software but you AV should have found that before - I use only windows security centre on 10 - which is the new name to encompass all of the 10 security including microsoft defender that was previously known as Windows defender on 10
Finally you have been great to work with. I have enjoyed the challenge - you being so willing to try my suggestions.
and thanks for your expressed appreciation
- - - Updated - - -
Perhaps installed updates may give you a clue as to what was responsible - if indeed it was an update itself rather than the possible causes I have listed

Thank you for the additional advice (more on that momentarily) and kind words.

Now, regarding this: "failed update on battery only. - often a prime cause." Ummmm.....[sheepishly raises hand]. Yes, I did that. Didn't know any better. I don't recall exactly how low the battery power was after the updates were completed, but I vaguely recall thinking that it was considerably lower than it was when I'd started. So, I'll never do that again. But out of curiosity, why might a battery-only update do that? Any ideas?

As for the unwanted software, though I occasionally yielded many years ago to the temptation of certain utilities from more obscure sources that did something I really wanted to do, I've long refrained from installing software that did not come from well-known, reputable sources. So, that wouldn't be a problem. I've long used Norton security products, but have read some good things about Defender in the last year or so. I'll have to take a closer look at that.

I'll take a look at my update history as well.

Thanks again!

Macboatmaster said:

norton IMHO is, although good as protection it appears, one of the most frequent reported apparent causes of failed updates amongst the third party AV apps on 10
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...8-32d177eb136c
and it is in that regard that I read most frequently that uninstalling Norton -cures the problem.

Re updates on battery only - sorry for not making it clear - I meant the battery then runs out of power - causing the laptop to shutdown during the installation progress.

Thanks for the clarification re the battery power issue.