Vostro 220 BIOS freezes with Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

We shouldn't have to go through the hassle of unplugging our keyboard just to turn on our computer. Obviously, Dell wants us to just give up and go away. I think we'd have better results by getting the word out via a website like Gizmodo, Engadget or The Consumerist. Personally, I'll just look elsewhere for my new Windows 7 laptop.

I recently bought a Vostro 220s and the nice Logitech Illuminated Keyboard...  Is there a fix yet or are we still waiting?

I have re-escalated this issue today. They will want to capture your keyboards. As to what they will send as a replacement, I have no idea and I do not know the capture details.

If I comprehend your post correctly, there will NOT BE a fix (BIOS/Hardware) wherever the problem lies INTERNALLY in the Dell XPS 9000 BOX to correct this issue of the Logi Illuminated keyboard freezing and taking an exorbitant time to boot?
* That is not what I said. Before any kind of fix can be developed, they have to capture the keyboards and try to replicate the issue. If they can replicate the issue, we would go from there to Logitech and give them our findings.

Therefore, anyone who purchased the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard from Dell in conjunction with the XPS9000, will be asked to return the keyboard and then receive some form of hardware/monetary replacement to correct this issue?
* I have no idea about all that speculation. Those discussions are way above my paygrade.

Chris,

If I comprehend your post correctly, there will NOT BE a fix (BIOS/Hardware) wherever the problem lies INTERNALLY in the Dell XPS 9000 BOX to correct this issue of the Logi Illuminated keyboard freezing and taking an exorbitant time to boot?

Therefore, anyone who purchased the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard from Dell in conjunction with the XPS9000, will be asked to return the keyboard and then receive some form of hardware/monetary replacement to correct this issue?

I appreciate you being involved with this issue.

Just heard from engineering, they not only want to capture the keyboard, they also want to capture your PC that shows the issue. Of course this means you will be getting a replacement like for like keyboard and PC. Anyone up for this? If yes, do not format the hard disk drive, just delete your personal data, favorites, etc. I will need the following in a private conversation (Click my name, click Send a Message) -
Name:
Email Address:
Shipping address:
Phone number:
PC Service Tag number:
Reason: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard and PC Capture & Exchange

I have re-escalated this issue today. They will want to capture your keyboards. As to what they will send as a replacement, I have no idea and I do not know the capture details.

I already went through a two-week troublshooting campaign including a keyboard swap with Logitech after receiving my new 435T and attaching a Logitech illuminated keyboard to it. My Dell exhibits the same ponderous delay at boot time whenever the Logitech keyboard is attached. I also am unable to use the key sequence to access the bios with the Logitech. It's as if the 435T BIOS doesn't recognize the keyboard until it boots into windows.

I didn't buy my Logitech from Dell, it was a gift. But it is of course identical to those sold by Dell. I'd be happy to send it to you if that would help find a solution. Logitech has washed their hands of the problem.

Sounds like pure nonsense wanting someone to send in their keyboard and computer. All they got to do is grab a Logitech lighted  keyboard and hook it to a 435T and the problem will be there.

Chris, I agree with Chas and I appreciate you going to bat for us.

That said, If this is for engineering to diagnose the problem, it does seem to be complete nonsense given that it's seen across a wide variety of Dell machines and a very specific keyboard, both of which are easily available.  In fact, if it will help the diagnostics, I can plug in a port 80 card and report back the BIOS diagnostic codes that are sent during the hang.  That should clearly implicate the offending code.

However, it's possible that this is not for diagnosis at all, but instead for a fix that can't be done with a patch.  Chris, can you confirm whether the "like for like" PC and keyboard combo that we would receive will not exhibit the problem; or is this really just for diagnostic samples?  If it's for diagnosis, take the PC and keyboard you would have sent us and just open them up--there's a sample.

Also, on the exchange, I think it would be reasonable to allow us to keep the hard drive from our existing machine and install it in a new empty machine.  My wife isn't going to go for the swap if she'll have to re-image the machine and set it up all over again, that's just too much pain.  The OS has nothing to do with the problem, and it will reproduce even without a hard drive installed since it happens before BIOS setup.  Will Dell cross-ship the replacements (for 0 customer down time)?

Again, thanks keeping this issue alive on behalf of all of us.

No way I'm going to throw out all the time and effort I put into setting up my new Dell and return it when engineering could easily pull one off the line, plug in a Logitech Illuminated keyboard and work the problem until it's resolved. Frankly it's ludicrous to even suggest it.

If we make this difficult enough people will stop complaining? Nah, couldn't be that.

Just heard from engineering, they not only want to capture the keyboard, they also want to capture your PC that shows the issue. Of course this means you will be getting a replacement like for like keyboard and PC. Anyone up for this? If yes, do not format the hard disk drive, just delete your personal data, favorites, etc. I will need the following in a private conversation (Click my name, click Send a Message) - Name: Email Address: Shipping address: Phone number: PC Service Tag number: Reason: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard and PC Capture & Exchange

I sent your comments to engineering.

As of 10-29-09 Dell has an XPS435 and a LIK to do whatever they wish with.  I got so fed up I returned mine.

Still investigating this guys.

Still investigating this guys.

Thanks for the update Chris.