Discussion, talk and tips
https://forum.puppylinux.com/
I was starting Puppy Linux for the first time in while and it froze on the set-up screen. No keyboard, no cursor, no "tab", no nothing. The only way to get out was to use the power button.
What options do I have to get the puppy to come out and play?
What Puppy version?
Installed on what drive?
Full or frugal install?
Is this a fresh new install or one that did work in the past?
If fresh new install.
Exactly how did you do the install?
Specific details!!!
G'day @FredBassett
This problem with Puppy Linux is an interesting challenge. I'd like to help find the solution but I lack information. Can you be more specific? Reading what you wrote I suspect "The Puppy" ran on this PC before. (You: "starting Puppy for the first time in a while") and "it froze on the set-up screen". So - this is not a first time installation, correct?
"The set-up screen"
Puppy boots in stages. Each stage displays a unique screen format. Of these, which one is "the set-up screen"? The first screen with the larger font or the next screen with a smaller font? Or do you mean the desk-top (the X-window back-ground screen) is visible but the keyboard doesn't respond? Your comment seems to be directed to the keyboard only so I suspect Puppy has frozen at the 'select boot-type' menu. That's my suspicion.
What options do I have to get the puppy to come out and play?
To answer your post, I need more info. For example do you have a CD/DVD player? What hardware do you have? How did you install Puppy Linux? Which version? Do you have another PC available? Questions, questions, questions, but to give answers I need more info.
Finally
A comment that applies to any OS on a PC, not just Puppy Linux: Consider how you will resurrect your PC when it falls over. It will - sometime. Maybe not this next year; perhaps in 5 years time. Remember - as your PC becomes older the info on your storage device becomes more valuable. I keep an old PC (I dragged it in from the cow-paddock!) for such an emergency. It's 17 years old - but works adequately. I have various version of the Puppy stored in a CD wallet; I keep the wallet in a wardrobe with my smelly socks. If/when Puppy fails - I'm good to go.
I'll wait for more detail in your next posting! More info! Please!
A hearty 'woof' from NSW, Australia!
Cobaka
Dead topic.
The original poster, that started this topic, has left the building, one year ago! 
Yikes.