Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

My computer has USB keyboard and mouse. After using the Windows installer to install Ubuntu on my system and rebooting, the duel-boot menu popped up where I can select either Windosw 7 or Ubuntu. The problem is that my keyboard doesn't work at that point because it is USB, so I can't change the selection.

Anyone know a work around? PS2 or serial keyboard is not an option because my motherboard doesn't have either port. Can I change the default option while in Windows then reboot, and do the same in Ubuntu before rebooting? If so, how?

Edited by Ancient Dragon
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Short practical plan and corrections tied to the thread

This is almost always a firmware/boot-timing problem (not Ubuntu itself). First priority is getting input during POST/boot: try a simple wired USB keyboard in a rear USB 2.0 port, unplug any hubs or wireless receivers, and avoid front-panel/USB3 ports. On many systems you must enable “Legacy USB/USB keyboard support” or disable Fast Boot/Ultra Fast Boot so the firmware initializes USB devices early. (learn.microsoft.com)

If you still can’t reach the firmware/boot menu, reset the firmware to defaults (clear CMOS via the motherboard jumper or remove the CR2032 for a minute) — this often restores USB legacy behavior so you can get into BIOS and set the proper USB options. Once you can boot from media, use a Ubuntu Live USB and run the Boot-Repair tool (or Boot-Repair-Disk) — its “Recommended repair” fixes most GRUB/MBR/BCD mismatches and produces a diagnostic URL you can share. This is the easiest way to recover a broken dual-boot after a botched bcdedit or failed install. (help.ubuntu.com)

If you prefer manual recovery, two common routes exist:

  • Restore Windows boot (from Windows 7 media → Repair → Command Prompt):

    bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

    Use Microsoft’s Recovery Environment guidance when doing this. (support.microsoft.com)

  • Repair or control GRUB2 (Ubuntu uses GRUB2, not old menu.lst). To set a default entry use GRUB_DEFAULT=saved in /etc/default/grub, run sudo update-grub, then use sudo grub-set-default <entry> or grep menuentry /boot/grub/grub.cfg to find the exact title. That lets you pick the next boot without interacting with the menu. (help.ubuntu.com)

A final note on Wubi: installing Ubuntu with Wubi uses the Windows bootloader and has been discontinued; prefer a Live-USB install or a VM for safer results. Back up critical data before running repairs. (wiki.ubuntu.com)

(References above expand on ’s BIOS tip, echo ’s Wubi/bootloader point, and support ’s Boot-Repair suggestion.)

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for chris.stout

On my motherboard, I have to change a USB setting in the bios to get my keyboard to work with Grub. What motherboard do you have? Perhaps there is a similar setting on yours.

Am I correct in assuming that you used the Wubi installer to install Ubuntu? If so, I think it uses MS's boot loader and not Grub. You can edit entries with BCDEdit (How to use BCDEdit).

If you want to edit Grub options, you can edit /boot/grub/menu.lst .

Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

It's a problem with the Windows bootloader (or bios configuration). Wubi only adds an entry to the Windows bootloader.

I have a USB wireless mouse/keyboard and never had any problems with using it in the Windows bootloader (or in Grub2 after that). So, a USB keyboard should definitely work, check your bios settings (assuming you can access them, does your keyboard work before you get to the bootloader?) or look for a solution specific to your computer model.

You can edit the priorities with EasyBCD. I guess you might be able to put Ubuntu as default, and then boot to Windows through the Grub2 menu that comes afterwards. Of course, that's just a temporary solution, until you figure out what is wrong with Windows' bootloader.

Member Avatar for PhilEaton

As Chri suggested, using Wubi might be a good idea. I had the same problem when I installed Ubuntu from disk/usb. I'd suggest uninstalling ubuntu from windows (control panel) and reinstall using Wubi (which installs ubuntu from windows gui and allows for partitioning i believe if you don't already have a partition set up).

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Update: I used bcdedit.exe to change the default settings, and now I can't boot the computer at all because ubuntu installation apparently failed and the screen just shows a redish colored screen when it attempts to boot to ubuntu. I'm writing this post on another one of my computers. I'll check out the suggestion to see if there is a mother board setting, can't get to the bios either because no keyboard that works.

Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

can't get to the bios either because no keyboard that works.

I guessed that. This is weird. Is your keyboard special? If it is, then try a very basic USB keyboard (with no fancy features). Having no keyboard available during the bios / bootloader phase is not normal, nor acceptable. It must be a problem with your computer model.

Member Avatar for chris.stout

This is weird. Is your keyboard special?

I've seen this happen a lot with wireless keyboards.

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

There is nothing special about the keyboard except it has eluminated keys. Its a Logitech that I bought off-the-shelf at Best Buy.

Member Avatar for elhijodelpeje

To fix your boot, after messing aroung with bcdedit, try Boor Repair Disk, http://sourceforge.net/p/boot-repair-cd/home/Home/ download from another pc follow instructions on same page. AS for the USB keyboard, I have installed most of linux distros on MULTI-BOOT with my Win7, without the reported problem, both with my Microsoft Laser wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo, and with my USB wired Keyboard/Mouse. I would suggest reinstall your linux, and DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR MOUSE NOR TOUCH YOUR KEYBOARD UNLESS REQUIRED BY THE INSTALL PROCESS. Some linux distros are too sensitive when detecting hardware. Regards

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