So my father in laws computer quit recongnizing his CD/DVD drives.  It was as if they didnt even exist.  He was following the steps in the trouble shooting for HP off their website, and then his keyboard and mouse quit working too.  Is there a way I can connect my laptop, or connect remotely to his computer so that I can role back to the restore date before he lost the keyboard and mouse, so we can try and get some of his information off the hard drive?
Thanks!
DBWell you didn't post your operating system or his, and I don't feel like GUESSING, so will wait for you to supply this info.

What about a system restore? Again, if not ME or XP that is out, but since we don't....

You get the picture.  We both have windows XP I have a Dell computer and he has a HP.  I dont know how to do system restore when I dont have a keyboard or a mouse, and the disks that came with the computer go into the dvd/cd drive that the computer is not recongnizing.  Sorry for the lack of information.
DBI IMAGINE this is a USB or wireless keyboard and mouse? Do you have a real keyboard and mouse to use in that case?

There are 3 versions of XP so that didn't help all that much. (Got to be specific!) If the good computer has XP Pro, then maybe.

Here's info on system restore once you get RUNNING. You MAY have to reset the BIOS (remove the battery on the motherboard for 5 minutes and restart after it has been replaced.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

Yes he did have a USB and wireless mouse installed.  I took my PC's keyboard and mouse over, but they are connected with usb cords also, If I use an old regular keyboard that MIGHT make a difference?
Thanks
DBYep, it's always a good idea to have ancient equipment around when all the "gadgets" quit working!  

Don't overlook the removing the battery tip if that doesn't do it.How do I reset the BIOS?  Sorry I am not good at this stuff.  Is there a website that will give me step by steps on how to take the battery out?
THanks
DBWhat about here:

http://www.liverepair.com/encyclopedia/articles/cmosreplace.asp

or here:

http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/w1510/32w10/32w10.asp&guid=