Optiplex 755: KVM not recognized in BIOS and pre-Windows install

I was not able to find any related issue to this on the Dell forums, but I've been experiencing an odd issue on multiple 755 systems where an Avocent 4-port KVM switch has been unresponsive. In other words, the only way I am able to access the BIOS and any sort of DOS environment is to have a separate USB keyboard and mouse connected to the 755 directly. Has anyone experienced this or can recommend some suggestions for the next time I receive another 755 for re-imaging? (I normally help with imaging Windows XP Pro for professors and grad students who receive new computers at a University).

So far I have experienced this on 3 or 4 of the 755 systems I've come across (all of which have been quad core). It was never an issue on any Optiplex 745 systems.

Here's a little more details on the information I was able to gather in my situation:

-the KVM is labeled "Switchview 4 port" by a brand called Avocent S/N: DF0093390, MPN 520-195-005

-the imaging area consists of a Dell PS/2 based keyboard and PS/2 mouse connected to the Avocent KVM console port. A Dell monitor is also connected as the console monitor (which works fine on the 755 systems I have come across).

-since the 755 can only accept USB connections, a PS/2 to USB converter is used from the Avocent KVM switch to connect with the 755 system. We only have a few of these PS/2 to USB converters and they don't seem to have any sort of brand name on them. The only identifiable marking I could find is Model No. UPS-102

-although we use ghost8 for the images and StorageSoft for PXE booting, I do not believe these matter since the KVM connected keyboard and mouse is non-responsive and thus I am unable to access the BIOS on bootup.


Again, the only way to access the BIOS is to have a USB keyboard and mouse directly connected to the 755 system, so it must be an issue with either the KVM switch or possibly the USB to PS/2 converter... or an issue with the 755 series itself (since my setup works fine on 745 systems).
If anyone has experienced this before and has come up with a workaround, I would appreciate sharing your solution. Otherwise, I will have to look into whether it is time to simply get a USB based KVM switch (if my department's budget allows for it).

Thanks in advance!


EDIT: I forgot to add that once our image is successfully placed onto the 755, the keyboard/mouse connected through KVM works fine in Windows XP Pro.

Message Edited by NightHawkUCI on 12-07-2007 11:52 AM