The [DELETE] key must be pressed after the LOCK lights have flashed. This brief flash indicates that the BIOS has completed keyboard initialization; any keypresses prior to this flash will result in a keyboard error (as the BIOS believes there is a stuck key).

Thanks, Cody. I've never paid attention to the lights. I always hit Delete when I see the logo.  Next time I'll watch, but it seems to me the logo shouldn't come up until after the lock light blink. Looks like I threw away one good keyboard, huh. That's what I get for acting too fast.

2 things

1st, On the 4600, you press F2 to enter BIOS

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/syssetup.htm#1138127

2nd, I've found on dell systems that have a progress bar on the bios screen, that is you wait till it is about 60% of the way across, it will work.  The POST doesn't initialize the KB till that point.  Pressing the KB earlier causes errors in the POST.

Hi Dageezerus,

Thank you so much for your post...I got the keyboard problem on BIOS (My post : "Keyboard failure" on BIOS forum...). Every time I go to Bios (or Boot) I alway got "Keyboard failure" in the last line before I got Bios Menu (or Boot Menu). I did change from PS/2 to USB and the problem was gone. I think my adapter PS/2 plug damaged but after I read your comment my keyboard work fine again with PS/2. The reason I hit F2 to soon before the bar appeared.

I concern about "keyboard failure" was gone. Thank a lot Dageezerus.

VBN

Hey dageezerus,thanks. That's what happens to an old guy with more than one computer. Anyway, hitting delete works on my old one. Turns out I didn't need to get into the BIOS anyway. Now if only I could quit trying to put the car in park with the wiper stalk.