keyboard works in BIOS & GRUB but not during boot

[scar]

Basil Chupin @ 09/06/2011 06:27 PM:
> Sounds like you are typing in the wrong passphrase/password. It is typed
> in "blind" - ie, nothing appears on the screen. And don't forget that
> the passphrase is case sensitive.

OK... i'm used to seeing dots when i type.  nevertheless, i tried typing
the passphrase and pushing 'enter' but the machine doesn't respond...  i
can't use ctrl-alt-del either, and numlock doesn't toggle the LED on the
keyboard