Typically only one USB port is active before XP loads. It will be a port on the rear of the tower. You may have to test all of them to find the one that's active. Depending on the your system model, you may have to go into BIOS and enable a setting for "legacy USB".
I have Demsion 4300 and there are only 2 USB ports on the back of my computer and 2 on the front. I tried all of them and they are all active. My BIOS has them enabled. Everything else works in those ports. My other keyboard was PS/2 and it works in that port and my mouse is in the other PS/2 port and works fine.
My question was with the Device Manager. Why are those things yellow with a !?
You may need to reinstall those device drivers. Right-click the device in Device Manager and select uninstall. Reboot and it should recognize the new hardware and allow you to install the drivers.
Thanks. I uninstalled my Keyboard and installed it and it works the same. I have been in contact with Microsoft about this problem and nothing seems to work.
I'm just going to get a new keyboard.
When I uninstall my keyboard and boot up that Keyboard Failure screen is still there. I don't even have it hooked up. Why is that? Do you have any ideas? So if I get a new Keyboard it will still be there!
I suspect you get that error when no keyboard is attached because the PC is looking for it but doesn't find one. It's possible the keyboard has a stuck key that's causing the error. Try blowing it out with some canned air, or turn it over and tap the back gently in case something fell into it.
If the keyboard doesn't work until XP loads, and you've tested all the USB ports, then there's no USB support in BIOS. I find that hard to believe. Sure you got "legacy USB support" turned on?
Can you borrow a keyboard from somewhere before you buy another one? That way you'll know if it's the keyboard or something with the PC. Or buy one from a store that will allow it to be returned, in case it is really a PC problem.
Open Device Manager and see if there's a ! or X next to any USB entry which might point to a Windows software issue.
I used the air on my keys and still the same. Why does my printer and scanner work in USB ports and not my keyboard? I checked Device Manager and nothing next to the USB ports. USB is enabled in BIOS.
I just can't figure this out! I keep plugging this thing in and out of all the ports and still nothing works.
Thanks again. Please let me know if you come up with something.
Guess you have to try a new keyboard. If the system is under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support for a replacement. Otherwise, borrow one to test and if that works, you'll have to buy a new keyboard. They're cheap (and that's probably why they fail).
My Keyboard is a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000. I have been working with Microsoft with this problem and they told me things to try and nothing works. Same things you told me to do. I found out that this keyboard comes with a PS/2 connection too so I am trying to see if they will send me one or I will buy one. I can't return this one now because I have had it too long trying to make it work. It only cost $14. LOL.
Do you think a PS/2 connection will work if my old keyboard works with a PS/2 connection? I can use my old one but I really like this one.
I bought a PS/2 adapter from DELL and it does'nt work with this keyboard because it is not PS/2 compatable. It has to be a PS/2 keyboard with the PS/2 connector built into it.
I hook up my old DELL keyboard that is PS/2 and it works fine and I don't get that screen with "Keyboard Failure". I only get that screen with the USB connection.
I have had this keyboard for 3 weeks. I am tempted to order this keyboard with a PS/2 connector from another company that has it!
Only 3 weeks old? There must be some kind of warranty that lasts longer than 3 weeks. Take/send it back to the store or make Microsoft replace it. You shouldn't have to buy a new keyboard every 3 weeks. That's ridiculous!
You'll need a USB>PS/2 adaptor to try this keyboard out on PS/2. They're about $5 at most PC shops. Don't know if it'll work or not. Have you tried this keyboard on another PC? If you've had it for a while, it could have died.
Just wanted to let you know that I did manage to change my BIOS to NOT Report Keyboard errors. I talked to Microsoft and they said this keyboard will only work in USB.
The Keyboard Failure screen is gone! I can get into my BIOS with my F2 key. The problem I have now is when I get the BIOS screen it freezes. My keys don't work. Computer time is highlighted and the arrows up and down don't work. I have to turn off my computer with the button on the front to get out of it.
Turning off "report keyboard errors" is only hiding some problem, not fixing it. Something is amiss if BIOS setup freezes and won't respond to the USB keyboard. Will BIOS setup freeze with your PS/2 keyboard connected? If not, then USB keyboard is the problem.
Using PS/2 keyboard, look around BIOS again and make certain that "enable legacy USB support" or something with similar wording is turned on. Make sure you save any changes to BIOS before exiting. Let it reboot, then let Windows turn off the computer normally. When it powers off, exchange keyboards and power up. You may have to try both rear USB ports. If still no go, then demand that Microsoft replace the USB keyboard, or give up on it...
I heard from Microsoft and they told me that my Keyboard won't work in BIOS because my computer does'nt support Legacy Emulation. I checked again and it is enabled.
They said to contact DELL and see if my computer supports it. If not, then I will just have to use my other keyboard to get into the BIOS. At least the Keyboard Failure screen is gone. LOL.
RoHe
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Ron
fitz2000
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March 6th, 2006 02:00
Ron,
I have Demsion 4300 and there are only 2 USB ports on the back of my computer and 2 on the front. I tried all of them and they are all active. My BIOS has them enabled. Everything else works in those ports. My other keyboard was PS/2 and it works in that port and my mouse is in the other PS/2 port and works fine.
My question was with the Device Manager. Why are those things yellow with a !?
Thanks for your help!
Pat
RoHe
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March 6th, 2006 16:00
Ron
fitz2000
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March 6th, 2006 19:00
Ron,
Thanks. I uninstalled my Keyboard and installed it and it works the same. I have been in contact with Microsoft about this problem and nothing seems to work.
I'm just going to get a new keyboard.
When I uninstall my keyboard and boot up that Keyboard Failure screen is still there. I don't even have it hooked up. Why is that? Do you have any ideas? So if I get a new Keyboard it will still be there!
Thanks again.
Pat
RoHe
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March 6th, 2006 21:00
If the keyboard doesn't work until XP loads, and you've tested all the USB ports, then there's no USB support in BIOS. I find that hard to believe. Sure you got "legacy USB support" turned on?
Can you borrow a keyboard from somewhere before you buy another one? That way you'll know if it's the keyboard or something with the PC. Or buy one from a store that will allow it to be returned, in case it is really a PC problem.
Open Device Manager and see if there's a ! or X next to any USB entry which might point to a Windows software issue.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 03-06-2006 03:59 PM
fitz2000
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March 7th, 2006 00:00
Hi Ron,
I used the air on my keys and still the same. Why does my printer and scanner work in USB ports and not my keyboard? I checked Device Manager and nothing next to the USB ports. USB is enabled in BIOS.
I just can't figure this out! I keep plugging this thing in and out of all the ports and still nothing works.
Thanks again. Please let me know if you come up with something.
Pat
RoHe
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March 7th, 2006 01:00
Ron
fitz2000
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March 7th, 2006 01:00
Ron,
My Keyboard is a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000. I have been working with Microsoft with this problem and they told me things to try and nothing works. Same things you told me to do. I found out that this keyboard comes with a PS/2 connection too so I am trying to see if they will send me one or I will buy one. I can't return this one now because I have had it too long trying to make it work. It only cost $14. LOL.
Do you think a PS/2 connection will work if my old keyboard works with a PS/2 connection? I can use my old one but I really like this one.
Thanks again!
Pat
fitz2000
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March 7th, 2006 17:00
Ron,
I bought a PS/2 adapter from DELL and it does'nt work with this keyboard because it is not PS/2 compatable. It has to be a PS/2 keyboard with the PS/2 connector built into it.
I hook up my old DELL keyboard that is PS/2 and it works fine and I don't get that screen with "Keyboard Failure". I only get that screen with the USB connection.
I have had this keyboard for 3 weeks. I am tempted to order this keyboard with a PS/2 connector from another company that has it!
Thanks again!
Pat
RoHe
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March 7th, 2006 17:00
Ron
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Ron
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March 7th, 2006 17:00
Ron, The company I got it from said I have to return it within 15 days. Unopened. That is terrible! How do you know if it works if you don't try it.
I am waiting to hear from Microsoft. I told them I want a replacement. At least I only paid $14 for it so it is no big loss! LOL.
Pat
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March 8th, 2006 19:00
Hi Ron,
Just wanted to let you know that I did manage to change my BIOS to NOT Report Keyboard errors. I talked to Microsoft and they said this keyboard will only work in USB.
The Keyboard Failure screen is gone! I can get into my BIOS with my F2 key. The problem I have now is when I get the BIOS screen it freezes. My keys don't work. Computer time is highlighted and the arrows up and down don't work. I have to turn off my computer with the button on the front to get out of it.
Geez! What next? LOL. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Pat
RoHe
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March 8th, 2006 22:00
Using PS/2 keyboard, look around BIOS again and make certain that "enable legacy USB support" or something with similar wording is turned on. Make sure you save any changes to BIOS before exiting. Let it reboot, then let Windows turn off the computer normally. When it powers off, exchange keyboards and power up. You may have to try both rear USB ports. If still no go, then demand that Microsoft replace the USB keyboard, or give up on it...
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 03-08-2006 05:00 PM
fitz2000
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March 9th, 2006 14:00
Ron,
I heard from Microsoft and they told me that my Keyboard won't work in BIOS because my computer does'nt support Legacy Emulation. I checked again and it is enabled.
They said to contact DELL and see if my computer supports it. If not, then I will just have to use my other keyboard to get into the BIOS. At least the Keyboard Failure screen is gone. LOL.
Thanks. I will keep you posted!
Pat