Problems with a Newbie Build

[munga]

I'm building my first computer and I'm having some issues.

I've put together my

P4 2.6C
Abit AI7
Mushkin Level II PC 3500 (2 x 256)
ATI Radeon 9600 XT
Antec Sonata Case
Samsung Floppy
USB 2.0 keyboard with PS2 adapter

I've also made the front panel connections between the case and mobo (LED's, front panel USB and Firewire, audio jacks)

When I power up, I get all fans spinning and video, but the keyboard is not recognized. I tried the keyboard in all USB ports in addition to the initial PS2 port. The keyboard works through my laptop's USB 2.0 port.

Question 1: Do I have to get/use a PS2 keyboard until I get the HD and Windows installed?

The computer then recognizes the floppy and demands a system disk be inserted. I don't have one. I tried sticking in the SATA driver disk that came with the Abit board and then the computer said it couldn't find awdflash.exe.

Question 2: Once I get my keyboard issues resolved, am I going to have to flash the BIOS?

My work laptop (running Windows 2000Pro) won't let me make a bootable floppy either through windows or at the command prompt.

Question 3: Is there a way to make a bootable floppy that I'm missing? Can I use a bootable floppy made with my wife's Win98 machine? (okay, that was really two questions).

Any answers to obvious but unaksed questions also greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

 

[egale]

For the keyboard, in your bios, there is probably a setting for USB legacy support. If that is not enabled, try doing so.

For a bootable floppy, a win 98 disk is fine, especially for bios updating. Will you have to update the bios? Maybe. See what you have on the machine and what is available. If the machine works fine now with what you have, you may not want to risk upgrading it.

 

[munga]

Originally posted by: egale
For the keyboard, in your bios, there is probably a setting for USB legacy support. If that is not enabled, try doing so.

A good suggestion, if I could get to my bios.

For a bootable floppy, a win 98 disk is fine, especially for bios updating. Will you have to update the bios? Maybe. See what you have on the machine and what is available. If the machine works fine now with what you have, you may not want to risk upgrading it.

Again, can't get to the bios to see what I have. The bootable disk may be all the difference here, but the mobo starts looking for the ABIT bios upgrade utility in the floppy drive (awdflash.exe; I should have been more clear). I guess the real question is whether it's "normal" to be forced to flash the bios right away.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[fredtam]

First try clearing the cmos.
If the keyboard isn't recognized the use a ps2.
Don't put any floppies in.
Install your hard drive and throw the OS disc in.
If you plan to use raid you will hit F6 and supply the floppy during the OS setup. It doesn't look like you are so don't worry about it.
Once the OS is installed insert the disc that came with the mobo and install the chipset drivers and other utilities.
Once your system is up and stable download the flash menu utility from abit and follow the instructions it will update the bios online through windows.

 

[billyjak]

I read to disconnect the external USB brackets to get it ot boot.
You can go to Abits Forums Here