Got me to pondering on this one during the time since my last post -

There *is* such thing as an XP boot floppy/cd which installs and initializes your usb ports for keyboards and mice then lets you start xp setup - where to get it, however, I dunno. Check M$dotcom perhaps?

Serial mouse worked with the opposite number looking plug of the vga plug. Serial keyboard had the fat cigar plug that looked like a 1/2inch ps2 plug. There *was* a jumper though that plugged to the mouse serial port and handled both mouse and keyboard. Longshot, but hey you're in dire straits after all..

Will an Automated XP install disk input your key automatically without your input, or are you gonna hang on that spot again?