Virus Help! Keyboard and mouse disabled at winxp login screen but not in BIOS!

I am using a thinkpad T400 with windows xp and I cannot login to Windows in any way; safe mode, last known good config, etc. While on my computer yesterday, my McAfee virus scanner popped up and said a virus was detected and would be cleaned/removed the next time I restarted the computer. I unfortunately did not think to write the name of the virus down.

Today, I turn my computer on and the keyboard works normally for the Thinkpad BIOS security username/password and then windows begins startup, makes it to the login screen and my keyboard and trackball mouse are both unresponsive. I plugged in a USB mouse and it worked so I thought maybe a USB keyboard might work too...no such luck. I can even see my Thinkpad Access Connections window pop up and attempt to find wireless networks while I'm stuck at the login screen (which is normal for my laptop - anytime I take longer than 10 seconds or so to login, AC will pop up before I've logged on).

I've restarted the computer about ten times. I confirmed in the BIOS that the keyboard and mouse were not disabled.

I have never liked McAfee but it came installed on this laptop and I never bothered to change it. Regardless, it's my own fault for wandering onto a suspect website but I just don't know what else to do! Does anyone have any ideas? Is this even possible to 'fix' since I can't even get into safe mode?

Thanks

 

Update: So I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who is an IT professional and he suggested leaving the USB keyboard plugged in for 5 minutes and then try it and what do you know it frakkin worked! I couldn't believe it. So I have an interim solution while I try to fix the real problem but at least I'm in windows again.

Now I'm downloading drivers, running antivirus and doing everything I can do make sure this doesn't happen again. Hopefully this will return control of my keyboard and trackball, I will post another update after trying this.

I will still happily take any suggestions or recommendations if the community has any.

Thanks

 

The best thing you can do if you want to get rid of the virus is to go to the MG Malware forum. Follow their guide (to the letter!) and attach all the logs they ask for, in addition to a description of the problems you're having and what you think might have caused them--your first post in this thread is detailed enough you can just copy and paste it in if you like, plus any updates.

Note that the malware fighters in that forum are volunteers, and they're very busy, so it may take a day or two before they get back to you, but they're the best you can find online. Try to be patient, and they'll get you sorted out.