Apple Keyboard Problem

This thread is about a problem I'm having with keyboards.

Three years ago, I purchased a Mac Pro Quad Core, which came with a wired keyboard. Two years in, some important keys stopped responding, and after a time I decided to purchase another Apple keyboard (this time wireless). The second keyboard worked OK for about nine months, then some important keys stopped responding, just like before.

Unfortunately, a few days prior to this, I created a log-in password, which required some of the characters which no longer work on the semi-broken keyboard. So my computer is out of action until I get another keyboard.

The keyboard is under warranty, but without a receipt which I threw out I can't send for a repair. I'm naturally a bit hesitant paying for yet another Apple keyboard having two die on me within one year, so I bought a wireless keyboard of a different brand for a fraction of the price -- turns out you can't connect the keyboard, only in the Bluetooth menu, once you log-on the computer, which I can't, because there's a ****ing password in the way.

So what do I do now is the question? Is there a way around the password? Is there a way to connect the keyboard before log-in? Do I have to borrow, or buy another keyboard? Do wired keyboards need to be setup post log-in?

 

I should make clear I'm typing this from another computer, obviously. Can someone answer my question?

 

It turns out I had yet another old Apple keyboard that is partially broken. I just forgot about it. I got through the password, and connected the new wireless keyboard. That problem sorted, the new keyboard I'm using doesn't have an ESC, brightness, espose, or spotlight key. Anyway.