USB keyboard fails during XP install

Question

The system:

Dell System GX280
Intel p4 2.80Ghz
512Mb Ram
40 Gb hd
BIOS A08

When attempting to install windows onto a formatted hd (formatted with another computer externally) I ran into a problem. The USB keyboard (no ps/2 ports) works fine in the BIOS up until I get to the screen in which it gives me the options to

1. To set up windows xp now, press enter.
2. To repair, press R
3. To quit setup, press F3

As soon as this screen displays, I can see the light above the number keys on my keyboard turn off and I can not press enter to install. I am stuck.

Things I have tried:

1. Checking every usb port, they all dont work for keyboard
2. checking the bios to see if usb is enabled, its enabled
3. checking if the usb has power by plugging in mouse wireless usb with light, it lights up
4. trying a different windows xp install disk, I've tried 3, same result

And I repeat, I dont have a ps/2 port, which is how all the other posts Ive read on this manner were solved

Please help me!

jackshack · Answer

Is the keyboard the original device that came with the computer? Sometimes trying a different keyboard seems to shake things back into working. Another thing you can try is resetting the NVRAM (CMOS). That action resets all the BIOS settings to factory default and also causes the computer to redetect its devices.

This problem must be connected with the driver in Windows setup since the computer BIOS obviously works with it. It could be that Windows setup isn't recognizing the keyboard type for some reason.

ckap · Answer

The keyboard is original but Ive tried another keyboard with the same result. I defaulted the BIOS on version A04 and when that didnt work I updated the BIOS to A08 which would be installed on default. I used the same windows xp disk to format another computer with this keyboard and had no problems.

RoHe · Answer

Is the keyboard connected to a rear USB port? Have you tried all the other rear USB ports? Only one of them may be active during OS installation.

The GX280 is one of those systems with that stupid OS Install option in BIOS Setup<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> . I don't know if that's your problem, but go into BIOS Setup and turn that option ON. And while you're in BIOS Setup make sure the USB option is also set to ON. Save the change(s), exit setup and boot from the Windows XP CD.

You'll have to turn OS Install OFF again after you do the install. Otherwise the system won't be able to use all the installed RAM.

Ron

RoHe · Answer

Me again...

I presume you have a SATA boot hard drive. So you'll probably also have to change the Drive Controller option to Compatible in BIOS setup in order for XP to recognize the hard drive. You will have to install the SATA driver from a floppy diskette by pressing F6 when prompted during the installation, or you'll have to install them afterwards.

Either way, once the SATA driver is installed, you should change the Driver Controller option back to Normal.

Ron

MonicasDell · Answer

I had to use a usb keyboard (which happend to be Dell) to get into the bios to change the boot order to use the CD first. Then I had to reboot and use a PS2 Keyboard to get into windows setup.

rd372 · Answer

I just spent 6 hours on this ... tried everything I could think of...

Final solution...

> I had been using a retail Windows XP install CD. I found a Dell branded Windows XP CD and the keyboard now works!

Bottom line... the install must be run from an official "Dell" Windows XP disc. This was really frustrating but I finally found a solution!

There must be different drivers (for USB, it would seem) on the disc that comes with Dell computers. Sure would like to get the 6 hours back :)

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USB keyboard fails during XP install

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