Get into BIOS with USB keyboard?

[jwfilion]

To be as brief as possible...I need to get to the BIOS screen, but I have only a USB keyboard. The ps2 on my computer is fried and I have to use the USB. I can get into safe/mode with the USB keyboard, but I don't know how to get nto the BIOS screen. I can't tap keys to get into it at start up, even in safe/mode. That does not work. Please, any help with this?




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[JJ 3000]

Do the lights on the keyboard flash when you turn on your computer?

[jwfilion]

No, not initially. They turn on right after the "Windows is starting up" screen.

[patio]

Everyone should have a PS2 keyboard....even if it sits in the closet for most of the time.

[GX1_Man]

Do you have one or two fried PS/2 ports? Are they turned off in the BIOS or what happened.

I agree with Patio that a PS/2 keyboard is an essential tool, cheap, and fully functional IF there are PS/2 ports n the motherboard.

[Allan]

For now you can use a usb to ps2 adapter if you like
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_enUS216US216&q=usb+to+ps2+adapter&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[Allan]

Do you have one or two fried PS/2 ports? Are they turned off in the BIOS or what happened.

Very often there is a setting in bios to activate (toggle) USB at boot. But he needs to get into the bios to check that setting........

[Computer_Commando]

For now you can use a usb to ps2 adapter if you like ...

That assumes the keyboard supports adapters; some don't.  Same goes for mice.

[jwfilion]

The adapters don't work. I bought one for each USB keyboard I have. The keyboard lights flicker rapidly, but the keys don't function. The same thing happens with the ps2 keyboard. It's apparent to me that the port is fried .  That's why I can't get to the BIOS with the keyboard. The closest computer store is 600 miles due south.
I had just hoped that you may know of a way to get there from safe/mode, or any other way, for that matter. I find it incredulous that tapping certain keys at startup is the only way to get into the BIOS. No wonder there are so many engineer jokes on the internet!

[Salmon Trout]

The adapters don't work. I bought one for each USB keyboard I have. The keyboard lights flicker rapidly, but the keys don't function. The same thing happens with the ps2 keyboard. It's apparent to me that the port is fried .  That's why I can't get to the BIOS with the keyboard. The closest computer store is 600 miles due south.
I had just hoped that you may know of a way to get there from safe/mode, or any other way, for that matter. I find it incredulous that tapping certain keys at startup is the only way to get into the BIOS. No wonder there are so many engineer jokes on the internet!

When you think about it, it is the most practical way. With the old IBM PS/2 range (nothing to do with the PS2 games thing) you had to start the machine with a special floppy disk. Essentially, your motherboard is shot.

[jwfilion]

Why would the motherboard be shot? The only thing that does not work properly on the computer is the keyboard ps2 port. Even the mouse ps2 port works, though I use a USB mouse.
Indeed, the only reason I wanted into the BIOS was to see if the USB legacy was turned on. I am going to install a USB 2 pci card when it gets here. Anyway, thanks for the help.

[Computer_Commando]

Why would the motherboard be shot? The only thing that does not work properly on the computer is the keyboard ps2 port. Even the mouse ps2 port works, though I use a USB mouse.
Indeed, the only reason I wanted into the BIOS was to see if the USB legacy was turned on. I am going to install a USB 2 pci card when it gets here. Anyway, thanks for the help.

If the mouse PS2 port still works, you can get a Y-cable for keyboard & mouse.  OR
Reset BIOS (remove battery for 10 minutes), power up computer with USB keyboard attached and BIOS may enable legacy support.

[rthompson80819]

This thread has puzzled me from the start.

There are some machines made today with no PS/2 ports, only USB ports, so why would a USB keyboard have a problem getting into the BIOS?

I've never seen a PS/2 port go bad, although I'm sure they do sometimes, and I've never changed a keyboard from PS/2 to USB.  I have however changed several mice from PS/2 to USB and never had any issues or the need to get into the BIOS.  I don't know why the keyboard would be that much different than a mouse.  Personally, if I have the option between PS/2 and USB for keyboards and mice, I'll go with PS/2 every time.

I would try CC's recommendations first, but if those don't work, then there is something else going on.

[Salmon Trout]

There are some machines made today with no PS/2 ports, only USB ports, so why would a USB keyboard have a problem getting into the BIOS?

If an older machine has both USB and PS/2 ports and the bios either (a) does not have USB legacy support or (b) it is turned off, and this is the default, and the PS/2 port is fried, then the BIOS is effectively inaccessible. A modern machine with USB only is certain to have USB legacy support.

I've never seen a PS/2 port go bad, although I'm sure they do sometimesething else going on.

I have; a bad keyboard can fry the the port through excessive current drain.

[jwfilion]

Yes, I do have an older machine with both port types. A friend came over last year to use mine. She had a business to tend to and her machine was out being repaired. She brought her own keyboard, one of those fancy ergonomic ones. My computer hasn't been the same since.
I ordered one of those Y-cables and will give that a try. Thanks all.