Dell's QuietKey keyboard

Question

I have 3 of these and the same problem has occurred with all of them. Just wondering if this is some product defect, since it seems too much to be a coincidence:

When I tap the DELETE key to get into the BIOS, I get a keyboard error message. The NUM LOCK light comes on, and the keyboard is non-responsive. I've found that rebooting will clear the problem, but it's a pain. The first time I had the problem, I threw the keyboard away. About a month later, had the problem again and put that keyboard aside. Just had the problem occur again with the third keyboard, and tried the reboot. Time to go out and buy a different keyboard. I've noticed these boards are made in China, and, would assume, made specifically for Dell. Maybe time to buy a different brand.

BTW, this is a Dim 4600 with XP Home.

DELL-Cody · Answer

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).

Mortso · Answer

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.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

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.

vbn · Answer

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

Mortso · Answer

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.

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Dell's QuietKey keyboard

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