neatnettricks

[colb]

I use a wireless/usb key board so every time I want to boot into safe mode or the BIOS I have to plu in an ordinary keyboard.

Is there any way out of this other than buying an ordinary keyboard?

I have looked in the BIOS and found a setting for USB but presumably this does not affect a wireless peripheral. Anyway IK changed the setting and it has made no difference

[drmark]

colb,

Why do you need to plug in a non-wireless keyboard to go into safemode or into your BIOS setup? The keyboard should not matter as it is not tied into your operating system. As long as your CPU is turned on, your keyborad should be working.


Mark

[colb]

The USB ports are not active until the computer has booted

I don't know why this shoujld be so but it is, it is the same problem doing a reinstall no keyboard until windows has booted

I am using a Microsoft wireless keyboard -

[Hugger1]

My son has a wireless Micro$oft keyboard and mouse. I update his PC about every two weeks and don't have to change to a wired setup. What's happening with yours doesn't make sense.

[colb]

Thanks for telling me that at least I know it's not normal - with a wireless set up. Maybe have to consider a different keyboard. If it is becomes so important

[drcard]

Hi colb,

Use the wired PS/2 keyboard and go into BIOS. You said that your BIOS had settings for USB. Look for USB legacy and enable this and save settings. USB legacy is for keyboard and on some MBs it will control USB mouse also. Just note that such legacy USB support is keyboard and /or mouse main functions and doesn't support all the possible functions with the extra buttons these devices could have.

HTH, Dana:))

[colb]

Thanks for the reply - it is the USB Legacy I have selected I have re checked!

So things remain the same am I to assume this in an anomaly with this particular keyboard - if I get a new key board and I going to be in the same position? Microsoft Multi media wireless 1.0A

[drcard]

Hi colb,

[colb]

Many thanks will give this a go!

[drmark]

colb,

Maybe I am missing something here because we seem to be throwing around some terms as if they are interchangeable. You initially said that you have a USB keyboard. Is it also or a PS2 keyboard?

The process of booting your computer is handled first by the BIOS, and then by the Windows bootstrap loader. Neither of those have the drivers required for every possible hardware configuration, so they rely on a default. Sadly, USB keyboard support is not part of that default. It's not until Windows loads that all the hardware on your system, including the USB keyboard, becomes available, and ready to use.

If your keyboard is a USB only and not a PS2 keyboard this could well be your problem. If, on the other hand, you are using a PS2 keyboard, have you tried plugging it into a different port? Ports have been known to go bad. Just a thought.


Mark

[drcard]

Hi Mark,

Motherboards and the BIOS that runs on them have changed. Many now have emulators built into the BIOS firmware which will present commands from a USB port to the system as if it were coming from the PS/2 port. All motherboards that offer this feature will state that the functions of the USB keyboard and/or mouse will be limited. What limited means is that the functions are limited to what a PS/2 keyboard would be...the main keys only so extra function keys like volume control, email, internet,etc won't be recognized by the system. This is OK since use of a keyboard in these setting usually is limited the main keys anyway...like selection option in BIOS or using the MS-DOS system. Many BIOS of these newer MBs have the turning on/off of this emulator labeled as USB legacy or even USB keyboard. The bottom line is this setup with the right MB, BIOS, and USB keyboard will allow a USB keyboard's main keys to work without Windows loading. There are drivers available now to flash into the BIOS to allow the emulator to recognize USB flash drives and allow a system to boot to a flash drive without ever booting Windows on the system's HD.

This link explains the Architecture of Legacy Support with Both USB and PS/2 Support.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/usbcompat.mspx?pf=true#usb3

For reference as you described the boot process, this all happens in the BIOS mode before the bootstrap loader starts...even before the HD is accessed.

HTH, Dana:))

[drmark]

Thanks Dana,

Just hoping to find an easier answer/solution for Colb's dilemma since, as you already cautioned, flashing the BIOS is not easy and not safe to do for the uninitiated. You can easily wind up with a PC that is nothing more than a huge paperweight.

So, to amplify your caution, I would urge Colb to find someone familiar with flashing a BIOS or take it to a repair facility to have this done if he finds out that this is the source of his problem.


Mark

[colb]

Thanks everyone at 75 years old and not technically minded I baulked at the idea of BIOS flashing!

However I moved the keyboard connection to a different bank of USBs and the damned thing worked, it went through the usual process booting of "found new hardware" and then I was in business.

Thanks once again for everyone's time (and patience)

[Hugger1]

USB ports can be wonky. I have some devices that will work in some USB ports and won't work in others. It can be frustrating trying to remember which devide works / doesn't work in which port.

[drmark]

colb,

I am glad that suggestion worked. Sometimes it is the easiest thing that works and the one we often forget to try first!


Mark