keyboard doesn't work but in safe mode

[ctjonb]

Hey all I am tring to help a friend out.
I cannot get his keyboard to work, unless the pc is in safe mode ? I checked for drivers there are none missing. I uninstalled them anyway and reinstalled, nata
I did a system restore, nata
I bought him a new keyboard, nata
I checked every setting I could find and all seems good,I did a scan with AVG found Nothing.
It's a USB Keyboard
I even downloaded combo fix from my PC and could Not get it to open in safe mode,
I even renamed the file !!
Could I just have a NASTY virus ??
So I am out of ideas.
Thanks for any and all replies

[Gecko]

ctjonb,

Turn off your computer using Shut Down or pressing the power button and then UNPLUG it from the wall outlet. Let it sit for about 2 minutes and then plug it back in and reboot the system.

[ctjonb]

Thanks for the reply, I did try that and Nothing, say what are your thoughts on MS Essentials ?

[ctjonb]

So is it inevitable I am going to have to format this one too.
what do you think ?

[Gecko]

ctjonb,

If the keyboard works in safe mode then it's a software problem (driver, GUI, program,infection)
The fact that combofix won't run is not good though, try renaming combofix to cbf123.exe and see if you can run it in standard mode (not safe mode) using the mouse only.