Not sure about 7024, but on 7022 the tablet automatically selects host / client mode (so called USB OTG). Also, connecting the mouse may not render the on-screen cursor (though the mouse may work in a way...).
I also bricked my touch screen and the only solution for me was to enter recovery mode, reset to factory settings, reboot (now the screen isn't locked), connect the KEYBOARD, do stuff, DON'T POWER OFF / RESET the tablet, otherwise the screen will lock and you will be forced to reset to defaults again.
But as I said, all this works on 7022 (USB OTG, Android 2.3.3)
