[/face][face=Courier]After booting my PC, the keyboard has a delayed response (all keys) of about two seconds. I removed and reinstalled the keyboard driver (Gateway Millenium PS/2 model no SK9920), re-applied the keyboard response settings (control panel > printers and other hardware > keyboard) all to no effect on the problem. If I just leave it idle for about 5 - 10 minutes and try again, most times the keyboard has
normal (instant) response. I am willing to just replace the keyboard if that is the
cause of the problem.

Running XP SP2 Intel core 2 duo CPU with 2 GB ram

Thanks in advance for help in solving this situation.

Is it an USB keyboard ? If so change USB slot and check USB drivers

Try the following:-

Using msconfig stop all startup items and reboot. if the lag disappears load startup items one at a time till you identify the culprit.

If that does not eliminate the problem try the diagnostic startup in msconfig and repeat above.

I have not resolved the slow keyboard response condition. Keyboard has PS/2 connection. Gateway does not have any info on driver updates. The slow response resolves to normal response after several idle minutes following boot up.
Any further ideas appreciated.

Could it be that your computer is just busy and so is not immediately processing the keyboard key presses?  Maybe programs running at startup or your system configuring itself is causing this.

PurpleMoon,
The keyboard and mouse chip on the motherboard is almost the most reliable system on ther board.

I have seen a slow keyboard if it is pluged in the wrong port (ie mouse port)

Most important you cannot plug the PS2 mouse and/or keyboard into the computer while it is running or there is power on it.

Start with this premis.  It is called a cold insert.  If you plug the PS2 plugs in while the computer is booted or hot - it is a good bet they may not wolrk.

Next

A USB mouse or keyboard or any other piece of equipment with a USB plug is/are best plugged in the first time after the computer has booted and the OS has booted and settled down (ie no hour glass).  Plugging these item in the first time before the boot is a sure way to insure it will not work.  Now some of the very new mother boards and laptos do infact allow one to pllug the USB mouse in before the boot - but these are the most newest boards.

Listen for the little bong sound from the computer when the USB is plugged in.

This is a good indication that the USB equipment is recognized and should work after the OS loads the software.

Sail on,

Sundance