When I hit any key, it throws in a bunch of asterisks
Could be either a short in the Keyboard or it is not USB adapter compatible, some mice are like this. Plug it into a computer with PS2 port and see if it still malfunctions, if it does then the keyboard has a short, if not, it is incompatible with a USB adapter. Keyboards send two codes whenever a key is pressed, one for the key itself and one to let the computer know it the Shift/Ctrl/Alt keys are being pressed.
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*Change USB ports, the one you use may be bad.*Use a different USB connector cable, yours may be bad.*Try it on someone else's computer; does it work?*Control Panel >Device Manager: is it listed?*Enter BIOS >Storage Devices (usually the 1st screen): listed there?*Control >Administrative Tools >Disk Management: listed there?*If answer is "no" to all questions above, the ext. drive failed.
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