Vista x64 Boot Issues Using Keyboard

[cytoSiN]

Hi all-

Having a strange keyboard problem. When I boot, I'm able to hit DEL to enter the BIOS, and I know the tab key works because I used to let my IP35 display its splash screen and you can hit tab to bypass it (I've since disabled it, but still). However, I can't get the keyboard, specifically the F8 key, to respond. Yes, I have an f-lock key, and yes, I've tried hitting it every which way. The lights on the keyboard come on, and the light on the f-lock key comes on when I hit it. However, f8 simply will not get me into the boot selection screen. Anyone have any ideas?

FWIW, I also don't have any keyboard functionality when I boot directly off the memtest86 cd (which is fine cuz I use the default settings there), and I also have no keyboard functionality when windows shuts down unexpectedly and the safe-mode query pops up...I just have to wait the 30 seconds for it to boot normally instead of being able to just hit enter or to select safe mode.

The keyboard is a usb microsoft office keyboard that works totally normally in Vista and in my BIOS, but won't work between POST and windows actually booting.

TIA for any suggestions!

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: cytoSiN
The keyboard is a usb microsoft office keyboard that works totally normally in Vista and in my BIOS, but won't work between POST and windows actually booting.

On my motherboard at least (ASRock 939Dual-SATA2), I have to either plug in the keyboard with a PS/2 adapter or enable "Legacy USB" in the BIOS for the keyboard to work in the time between BIOS/POST and Windows.

 

[bsobel]

My old Dell workstation is like that, the USB emulation just doesn't work with some keyboards. I need to plug in a PS2 KB for it to work. My new Dell workstation works fine. I've never found a fix for the old one..

 

[cytoSiN]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: cytoSiN
The keyboard is a usb microsoft office keyboard that works totally normally in Vista and in my BIOS, but won't work between POST and windows actually booting.

On my motherboard at least (ASRock 939Dual-SATA2), I have to either plug in the keyboard with a PS/2 adapter or enable "Legacy USB" in the BIOS for the keyboard to work in the time between BIOS/POST and Windows.

Interesting...I'll check the BIOS for that feature when I get home tonight, but I don't recall seeing it. Any reason that I can't use a y-plug that has ps/2 and usb, and plus the keybaord in "twice"? Thanks for the advice!

 

[bsobel]

If your gonna use the PS2 interface, do you gain anything keeping the USB plugged in as well (sans one less available usb port?)

 

[manowar821]

There should be an option in the BIOS that reads something like "USB keyboard Control" and then the variables being "OS" or "BIOS". Choose BIOS, and your USB keyboard should be usable in every circumstance... Keyword being "should".

Many things on computers "should" work, but don't. 😛

 

[cytoSiN]

Originally posted by: bsobel
If your gonna use the PS2 interface, do you gain anything keeping the USB plugged in as well (sans one less available usb port?)

Do I lose anything by using the ps/2 instead of the USB? If not, then I'll take back my USB port 😀

Originally posted by: manowar821
There should be an option in the BIOS that reads something like "USB keyboard Control" and then the variables being "OS" or "BIOS". Choose BIOS, and your USB keyboard should be usable in every circumstance... Keyword being "should".

Many things on computers "should" work, but don't.

Thanks I'll give it a shot later!

 

[spyordie007]

If you dont have the options listed in your BIOS or it's still not working after you try make sure you're running the latest BIOS for your motherboard. I've seen quite a bit of features not working, especially with Dell motherboards, when running older BIOS revs.