Hi, Willie. Thanks for your comments.
I plugged in a USB keyboard and that let me type in the security key for my wireless router - now at last I was connected to the Internet. Next came the screen where I was supposed to log in to my MS account. That didn't work because seven lower case keys (uophlcv) were dead*. That keyboard, and another one I tried, both work fine on my PCs. The only reason I was fortunate enough to get my wireless connection established was that the security key consists of all cap. letters and some numbers. In the meantime, with the wireless connection having been established and after some time, the on-screen keyboard suddenly appeared and I was able to proceed with the remainder of the setup.
*According to MS "Restore, refresh, or reset Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2" instructions: "If you're having problems with your Surface touchscreen, connect a keyboard, such as a Surface Cover or USB keyboard." That's just what I did. I connected a USB keyboard(s) but some lower case letters didn't show up. I'm really puzzled about that one. In fact the lower case u started some oral instructions. I hope someone can enlighten me why that happened. Does it take a USB3.0 keyboard - is there even such a thing? What was I suppose to do? Run out and buy a Surface Cover to get the Surface Pro working?
P.S. I am a retired 82-year old engineer and am somewhat PC literate, but this has taken way too much time. I shudder to think how much money people who are less familiar with the technology (my wife would be an example once I'm gone) have to spend for help with getting new hardware operational. It should not be that way!
