Can't Access BIOS for ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3

[Aurora_Boreas]

So I recently aquired the Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 motherboard from newegg, and im having an issue accessing the BIOS. I used a USB keyboard, but no matter which plug I go into it wont light up or recognize me hitting the delete key. It does work when I get into Windows however.

So I had 2 PS/2 keyboards lying around, and hooked each one up to the port. However, none of them seemed to work with the motherboard. Is there some sorta trick, maybe a BIOS update so I can use the USB keyboard to access the BIOS? And is my PS/2 port faulty? I'd hate to do an RMA because of the turn-around as this is a work machine that needs to be used soon.

Thanks!

 

[john3850]

Are you sure its your keyboards or ports.
Can you read or see the system info as it boots up.
If you dont see anything untill windows its the video settings.
Are you using a discreate video card (pci-e).

 

[Aurora_Boreas]

I can see the system as its booting up. The whole time I tap the delete key, its unresponsive. F8 to get the Windows boot options does not work either. The lights on the KB don't turn on until just before Windows login. I tried different USB ports too.

I found out by accident that I can access the BIOS by USB, but only when I power on the system, and not on restart/reset. However even then its a crap-shot. It seems like a simple BIOS update would fix this so that the USB keyboard would power on at POST. But at this point, I think im getting a refund and going with Gigabyte.

You'd think at this price point they would have done a better job ensuring that you could access the BIOS by a USB keyboard and ensure the ps/2 port works, especially with the advertised OC features.

 

[Mugsy]

I don't own that motherboard, but somewhere in the BIOS there should be a a place to switch on legacy USB, try that. If that doesn't work try a PS2 keyboard if you have one, I've read of several people having issues with various Sandybridge boards where some USB keyboards don't initialize properly until the boot cycle actually begins.

 

[SuperMarioBro]

I don't own that motherboard, but somewhere in the BIOS there should be a a place to switch on legacy USB, try that.

But how would he do that if he can't access the BIOS? Unless he had a PS2 keyboard to do it.

 

[jhansman]

OP, I'd really like to know how you end up resolving this issue, as I am moving toward a Z68 upgrade and this mobo in on my short list. Please do post, whether its a warranty or hardware solution. Thanks!

 

[Patrese]

I have the vanilla Z68 Extreme4 and the board can be picky with keyboards. A crappy PS/2 keyboard works perfectly, but my Genius Multimedia keyboard (also PS/2) is totally hit or miss. To make it work 100% of the time, here's what I do:

- Plug keyboard in PS/2 port with the system powered down
- Turn the power supply on (not the computer)
- Unplug keyboard then plug it again
- Turn the computer on using the keyboard (pressing any key will do)

If it fails, your board may be in need of a RMA. If the trick I described above works, bad news: as far as I can tell, the issue is not widespread at all, so no "bugfix in BIOS" love for us. I'll end up buying a new KB...

The following threads may be helpful too:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...-Asrock-Z68-Gen3-Extreme7-amp-Extreme4-thread

And this board below gets AsRock representatives answers:

http://forums.ocworkbench.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72

 

[MTDEW]

On my ASRock z68 Extreme4 with a Logitech G15 usb keyboard, hitting DEL didn't work for me either, i had to use F2 instead, so I'd give that a shot.

 

[you2]

Yea I think it is f2; I use a ps/2 kb but next time i reboot I'll try a usb keyboard. Alas this is my linux system and I only reboot once a month or two or six.
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mine is the generic extreme 4 not gen3 version; btw my msi board had a lot of notes/issues with usb devices. I suspect it has to do with the chipset and not the brand...

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

god i hate these new motherboards and USB keyboard issues.....

im about to get this board too.

 

[Aurora_Boreas]

I thought i'd give the courtesy and post an update since there are a couple here who are following this thread:

I've ended up keeping the board, even though booting to the BIOS with a USB keyboard is spotty and the ps/2 port is dead. This machine was built for my dad's work to replace the last one that had a hardware failure, and he cannot afford any more downtime waiting to make the exchange. It will be rare if we do need to access the BIOS, and the few times I did go in there I had already made all of the changes that needed to be made.

If there was a way where the manufacturer could send in another board while I have this one and make the exchange on-site, that would be great. I dont know how willing they would be to do that though.

On another issue, I made an RMA attempt (which I later cancelled) to newegg and stated that the unit was defective, yet instead of giving me a full refund and a free return label, they charged me $30 for a restocking fee, and I have to pay 12 for the label? If the unit is defective, shouldn't I get a full refund? And why would you "restock" a defective unit? Needless to say ill be finding other sources instead of Newegg from now on.

 

[bankster55]

$30 restock, $12 label -= $42, how did they come up with that number?
Was it more than 30 days from date of purchase?
I didnt know NE charged a restock on defect mobo?
Anyone else confirm?

Hmmmm, guess so!

This item is covered by Newegg.com's Standard Return Policy.

• Return for refund within: 30 days
• Return for replacement within: 30 days
• Restocking Fee: Yes

Standard Return Policy

• Return for refund within: 30 days
• Return for replacement within: 30 days
• Restocking Fee: Yes

This is our Standard Return Policy. Items covered by this policy (those products for which Newegg states "This item may be returned for a replacement or refund within 30 days only") must be returned to Newegg within 30 days of the invoice date for this policy to apply. “Return” constitutes receipt of the product by Newegg, and not the mere issuance of an RMA.

 

[jhansman]

Thanks for posting your "resolution." (and I mean those quotes)

Seriously, is that return policy some kind of bad joke? What, exactly, did you do wrong to get dinged $42? On that note, I drove up to Microcenter today and, deciding to stay with AMD, got the Asrock 890FX Deluxe 5, which I will report on once I have it up and running. It sucks that you ended up having to keep a defective board. I had to laugh when today, as I was making my mobo choice, the very first thing out of the salesman's mouth was an attempt to sell me over-and-above warranty coverage. I just looked at him, smiled, and said "You're kidding, right? The manufacturer and/or you will stand behind the products you sell, right?" He just smiled right back. I guess buying a motherboard is just a complete crap shoot these days. Fingers crossed...

 

[you2]

I was going to return my mb to newegg (this was mid july). They offered to exchange it at no cost (they paid shipping). At the end of the day I ended up keeping the board but I went as far as getting a shipping label. Could it be that the customer rep misunderstood you ?
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I know that several SB mb (the msi p67-g65 for example; which I own) has usb issues. I never really understood the technical side but it sounds like intel chipset is compliant but more rigid and older devices are out of spec (require more voltage or something like that). Anyways I'm not sure that is the issue but that was my understanding.
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The PS/2 not working seems more serious Both of the MB I have (asrock z68-extreme4 (non-gen3) and msi board) work fine with PS/2 butt here are bios options. I know there was a wake bios option for PS/2 cann't remember if there was a way to disable it. Also on the msi board there is a voltage option for USB (not sure if it was specific to usb 3.0 ports or usb 2.0).
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I really should test usb keyboard for curiosity sake next time I reboot the asrock board.

(I mostly use keytronic kb and the ps/2 were dirt cheap last time I needed a new kb so i picked up a couple of extras; but I think I have a dell usb kb somewhere).

 

[you2]

I believe the restocking fee applies to return; not replacement. This makes sense as typically you cannot resell a returned item as new (I really dont' want to debate if stores do sell returned items as new as I have no factual data in this area).

 

[bankster55]

I believe the restocking fee applies to return; not replacement. This makes sense as typically you cannot resell a returned item as new (I really dont' want to debate if stores do sell returned items as new as I have no factual data in this area).

Apparently you did not read my post above, quoting NE

 

[you2]

I did read it; I realize you cut and paste from their page; this is way off topic. I believe the restocking fee only applies for returns; not for replacements.
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it is buried on their site but here is the full text:
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When and why are restocking fees applied? How much is deducted when a return is subject to a restocking fee?

There is a restocking fee of 15% on all returns for refund (RMA Refund), unless waived by a Customer Support Agent. We charge this 15% restocking fee for all returns for refund to encourage customers to purchase products they intend to keep. We offer RMA Replacement without any restocking fee to support customers who have received a defective product. For CPU and Memory refunds, any restocking fee we use will be a reflection on current market value for the same cpu item. Newegg.com does not support attempts to profit from CPU and Memory price fluctuations.
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http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/FAQDetail.aspx?Module=6
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So there you have it no restocking fee for RMA replacement.
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Back on topic I am curious if you tried the various legacy mode for usb and if they had any effect.

Apparently you did not read my post above, quoting NE

 

[Aurora_Boreas]

Its been a week now, but I do believe I tried to set to legacy mode for the USB port and that didn't help.

 

[LoneWolf15]

For what it's worth, I'm running the Z68 Extreme 4 Gen 3 in this configuration:

IBM Model M keyboard, Logitech MX1000 Cordless Laser Mouse (both PS2)
These connect into an IOGear PS/2 KVM switch (I troubleshoot other systems with the second set of outputs)

This goes into a two PS/2<-->1 USB adapter cable

This goes into my Asrock board.

So far, I've had absolutely no issues with that setup. I have had a few other odd quirks, but nothing with keyboard/mouse.

 

[starbill]

I have the ASRock Z68 Pro3 motherboard. I found this forum because I also could not access the bios setup. While reading some of the posts I realized that it was after connecting the keyboard receiver to the USB 3.0 port that I was unable to access the bios setup. I plugged the keyboard receiver into the USB 2.0 port and I was able to get into the bios again. I had first uninstalled the Etron 3.0 driver but I don't know if that had anything to do with it.