Yet again I've friend (not one previously mentioned*) who's approached me for some assistance with their computer!

...but anyways, as per the title; some how said friend's computer's PS2 sockets are no longer working - note the sockets, not the keyboard - and yes, I've asked them if they've tried another keyboard / cleaning the socket - and apparently they have (most if not all of IT assistance is done "remotely" via the wondeful world of facebook).

That wouldn't be so much of an issue if they were content with their computer's performance - but they're looking to upgrade their OS - but can't get to the BIOS to set the optical drive to first-boot priority because, well because pressing delete on their keyboard doesn't work at POST.

They've told me they've tried a USB keyboard, but it doesn't "work" - in so much that it does once POST continues through to their present install of Windows - but not in the early-POST stages when their slamming the delete key to get into the BIOS.


...Now I couldn't recall if one can launch the install of a new windows from within windows (having never done it that way personally) so I didn't suggest that so far - but even if one can, it's a work around and it's still not ideal not being able to get to the BIOS should they/I so wish. So....

How would one go about getting the USB keyboard to work in time enough for the "press the del key" prompt - or is there any other way of getting into a BIOS without a (properly) functioning keyboard?



&*it's amusing to think that if I just directed them all here rather than post on their behalf when I'm flummoxed for what to do we'd have a whole sh1tload of new members!

Are you sure they are hitting the correct key to get into the bios? I had a PC last week which was <F10> to get into the bios not <Del> key.

If you have then it could be the "allow USB keyboard" in the bios is set to "disabled" - in that instance you could try removing the motherboard battery to reset the bios to factory setting to see if the factory setting makes the USB keyboard as enabled.

Not me, him. But I will forward both answers on - cheers John.

Does it have a ps2 socket on the back????


got a spare board here

Probably not the easiest, and it's quite far fetched...BUT:
Does the motherboard have a serial connector? Do they own a laptop of such vintage to have a serial connector? Could they nip somewhere and buy a serial cable? If so you should be able to connect somehow via the laptop and serial cables...

EDIT: Thinking on that, you can get serial -> USB adaptors, so any laptop or another desktop should do...

Thanks dude but it's his socket that's dead not his keyboard... but if it's of the clickity clack taptaptap old school key-style I know someone who'd give it a new home...


Er, uhm, er, yes?

No idea how it's done, just know it can be...Perhaps someone better versed in older hardware and Windows might lend a hand...?

Err, yeah.

You used to be able to but my grey cells have died since then. I think the standard input checks for com1 on boot so maybe with a null-modem cable and a terminal program running on the notebook it might work, but I have no idea what the correct control sequence is or if it even works on anything these days.

I know I have the kit to try it, but finding it might take a while...

Some motherboards have a bios that can be accessed through a Windows application, although I've never actually used it. What's the motherboard exactly? Perhaps someone knows how to???

</end failure to be useful>

No such info to go on alas - thanks all the same everyone - I'm going to go with the battery reset option, or at least I'm going to tell my friend to do it; I'll be sure to post back the results when they've tried that.

I'm slightly worried that the default setting may be less than optimal. They should be "safe" but may well under-clock stuff significantly.

So long as said friend has all the hardware driver software and whatnot to rebuild the machine from scratch post-new windows install that shouldn't be a problem no?

Not if he can't get back into the bios to set it back to full speed; he may end up with a slower PC.

It's far from a certainty, but without knowing what his motherboard is you do need to realise it's a risk.

I know that quite a few PCs have a boot option button that gives a list of bootable drives.

Press F12 (IIRC) or F9 on boot and it should give a list to boot from.

Thanks dude but it's his socket that's dead not his keyboard... but if it's of the clickity clack taptaptap old school key-style I know someone who'd give it a new home...



Let me guess YOU

I'm afraid my last clickity clack one died last year that was the last of my old IBM ones

(the spare is a windose one)

UPDATE

Removal of the mobo battery didn't reset the "USB on at start" setting - but did reinstate his PS2 socket - so all in all a fairly satisfying result. Cheers John.