I recall that this was an issue when USB keyboards first appeared -- the 
USB posrts were fully supported by OS drivers, but not by the motherboard 
BIOS.  Mostherboard makers were fairly quick to add USB support to address 
the issue.

  But -- perhaps for compatibility purposes -- at least some allowed this 
support to be switched on or off in the CMOS settings.  It sounds like yours 
is switched off.  Can you get into these settings and change it?

David Gillett


On 31 Jan 2008 at 19:59, Dianne Erdos-Rush wrote:

Date sent:      	Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:59:30 -0500
Send reply to:  	Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
             	<[log in to unmask]>
From:           	Dianne Erdos-Rush <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:        	[PCBUILD] I believe I am already subscribed....
To:             	[log in to unmask]

> Subject: A CONUNDRUM
> 
> 
> I have found the definition of a Catch 22.
> 
> Am doing a clean XP PRO install on a Dell computer.  
> The dos screen tells me there is a keyboard failure.  But the lights on the
> keyboard are on.  The computer boots from the disk, it goes through its blue
> screen uploading the basics, then it gives me the screen asking if I would
> like to continue installing XP, all I have to do is click ENTER.  But it
> doesn't recognize the keyboard.  There are only USB ports no PS/2 ports on
> the tower, I have tried all the possible USB ports.  So the only way I can
> see to fix the keyboard error is by hitting enter on the keyboard, but.....
> you see the problem? Help. Thanks to anyone who can.... Dianne
> 
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