Macbook Pro doesn't register keyboard during xp installation

[rjohns47]

After partitioning the hard drive, installing XP, reuniting the hard drive into a single unit (thereby deleting XP), repartitioning the hard drive, and attempting to install XP on this new partition, the XP install no longer registers the key board. It gets to the point in the installation where I must press enter to continue, r to repair an installation, or f3 to quite. But it doesn't register when I press any of the keys. I press any of the three, and wait and wait, but nothing happens.

Any ideas. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[bdj21ya]

Plug in a USB keyboard. They are quite cheap, especially if you get one used.

[rjohns47]

It worked perfectly. thanks.

[xocomaox]

I have the same problem but a usb keyboard is not working.

Is there any way to eject the windows CD so I can get back into OSX?:confused:

[bdj21ya]

Doesn't it bring up the option to boot into OS X if you hold down "Option" while booting? Give it a try. You could also try holding down the trackpad button while turning on the computer until it ejects.

[xocomaox]

I have solved the problem. Yes, the option key worked to get the disk out. Turns out, it was a bad disk. I had another that worked just fine, w/o a USB keyboard.

[bdj21ya]

Glad we could help

[xocomaox]

I still can't believe OSX takes up over 16gb of space! What a terrible OS, my windows is less than 2GB!

[bdj21ya]

Reinstall it without all the extra stuff you won't ever use (printers, language packs) it gets quite a bit smaller. HD space being as cheap as it is though, I much prefer an OS that looks stylish, performs faster, and crashes less.

[xocomaox]

HD space isn't that cheap when you are talking about notebooks. It's like twice as expensive.

[bdj21ya]

It's still really cheap when compared to the value I'd place on running OS X. Again however, you could get a lot of free space cheap by reinstalling OS X with custom options.

[xocomaox]

Will I have to wipe everything clean and install, or can I just reinstall without a problem? Will this compromise my XP installation?

If not, how hard is the installation? Sorry, never did an OSX install. >.<

[bdj21ya]

I was a little worried too my first time (just started using OS X in March). Wipe the partition OS X is on clean using Disk Utility after booting from the first DVD, it shouldn't affect Windows (backup important files, just in case). Then make sure to choose the option to customize the install (I think it's in the lower left of the install wizard on one of the early steps. It sounds like you have some experience reinstalling Windows. If you can do that fine, you should have no trouble with this.

I discovered the difference for myself on my first reinstall. I couldn't figure why it took SOOOO long to install a bunch of languages and printers when I didn't plan to use any of them. The install process still takes a while, but a lot less time without these superflous files.