Use USB Keyboard Pre-Boot?

[ProjectXBOX]

Hello all,

I've searched for this vigorusly but to no avail...

My question is.. is there a way to get my Saitek USB keyboard to work pre-boot.. Here's my problem, When I first turn on my computer, if i wanted to get into the advanced boot menu or use a 9x boot disk, go to the BIOS or even use ghost, I can't, because my keyboard and USB bus isnt active until after windows boots...

I've looked in the BIOS settings (only accessable with a PS/2 KB) and it would seem that everything is correct.. I'm running an MSI board..

In addition... my keyboard didn't come with any driver disk, because it isnt needed, its just a plain keyboard, no special features except for backlighting...

If anybody has any suggestions i'd be very grateful!!

thanks!!

[goaliemike]

same here, shurly you have an old ps/2 keyboard lying around. It works with you usb keyboard in too. If you dont have one, its only like 5$ for a real old used one

[ProjectXBOX]

i do have one, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a USB keyboard..

i obviously dont want to have 2 keyboards sitting on my desk..
there has to be a way to make this work, otherwise there wouldnt be USB keyboards, I think....

[goaliemike]

is there possibly a way to enable the usb in the bios when you boot ? It dosnt work here ecause i have wireless. But now that you say it, thare should ba something in the bios. Maybee enable the thing where you turn on the comp bt touching any keys

[ProjectXBOX]

hrmm.. good thinking... ill have to try that... ill post the results

[ProjectXBOX]

well i set the BIOS to allow startup from any key press and that didnt work.. i guess its only for PS/2 keyboards.. any other thoughts? anybody?

[goaliemike]

hmm ill try on mine and see if there is anything i can do.

[zigzagmolly]

Hello all,

I've searched for this vigorusly but to no avail...

My question is.. is there a way to get my Saitek USB keyboard to work pre-boot.. Here's my problem, When I first turn on my computer, if i wanted to get into the advanced boot menu or use a 9x boot disk, go to the BIOS or even use ghost, I can't, because my keyboard and USB bus isnt active until after windows boots...

I've looked in the BIOS settings (only accessable with a PS/2 KB) and it would seem that everything is correct.. I'm running an MSI board..

In addition... my keyboard didn't come with any driver disk, because it isnt needed, its just a plain keyboard, no special features except for backlighting...

If anybody has any suggestions i'd be very grateful!!

thanks!!

I have the same problem. Used my old PS/2 keyboard to boot into the BIOS, enabled BIOS USB keyboard support. No luck. Tried attaching a PS/2 to USB adapter. No luck. Since I dual boot, this brand new keyboard is going to my son in exchange for his PS/2 keyboard.

Since there was no resolution, thought I'd see if anyone has a fix for this.

Thanks.

[llogan]

The answer is no. Your bios must have pre boot recogniion utiliy for usb devices to be recognized and you must select it in bios. A bios upgrade might do the trick.

[jeffreywk]

I also have a msi board. Went into the bios and enabled usb legacy support and usb ms support and then it worked. Hope this helps

[rodion15]

same problem got solved: I enabled USB device legacy support in BIOS, it was disabled, problem solved.

[jamblebee]

There is no USB device legacy support option to enable in my BIOS. You see, I'm dual boot Ubuntu and Windows. I want Windows XP to be my default OS and not Ubuntu 10.10, but my keyboard (A4tech) only works during the log in part in Windows or Ubuntu. I have to use 'another' PS2 keyboard just for the part where I have to change the OS coz at that point I can't use my USB keyboard, I always enter in Ubuntu. I know about this problem before I buy Keyboard, I want a keyboard with soft keys (i forgot how they call it) A4Tech is the only available and they always tell me that PS/2 is obsolete.