Wireless keyboards & Dual boot

Pedro38 · 11 Feb 2010

I’ve had earlier questions in this forum but this issue falls across thread boundaries and is as follows. I have Windows 7 HP 64bit on one HD and want to install Vista HP 64 bit on a second HD for Win 7 non-compliant programs, and set up a dual boot facility.

I have recently bought the MSFT Wireless Comfort Keyboard and Mouse 5000 set especially made for Win 7. However, the keyboard and mouse are completely dead until the pc has actually booted into the Windows desktop. Thus I can’t access the BIOS using wireless input.
This is not a unique problem as there are many similar complaints in several other forums, to which I have yet to see a solution. Presumably, the dual-boot window, as per example shown at the start of this particular forum, appears during the pre Windows booting sequence. If so, were I to set up a dual boot, I wouldn’t be able to select my required OS (Win 7 or Vista) unless I ditch my new keyboard and connect a PS2 keyboard instead.

Is there any other way of switching to another OS without using dual boot or changing the boot order in the BIOS (using a wired keyboard) which would enable me to use my wireless keyboard?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Pedro38

Brink · 11 Feb 2010

Hello Pedro,

Boot into your BIOS setup screen, and double check to make sure that you have enabled the "USB keyboard support", "Legacy USB", or "USB at boot" type of an option. It varies on exactly what is says, but is usually located in the "Integrated Peripherals" section in BIOS. Afterwards, save changes and exit BIOS.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Pedro38 · 12 Feb 2010

Hi Shawn,
No go I'm afraid. In Integrated Peripherals, USB Devices Legacy Support was already enabled. (I used my PS2 keyboard to get into the BIOS)

Regards
Pedro

steve-pressman · 12 Feb 2010

I had a similar problem, my solution was to always keep my old keyboard plugged in and tucked away at the side of my tower until needed.

Brink · 12 Feb 2010

Pedro,

Any "USB keyboard support" option?

While I never experienced this, I had reports that some few systems require that it be plugged into the 1st available USB port to work at boot. Try it plugged into that USB port, or the others, on the back of the computer to see if that may help.

Pedro38 · 14 Feb 2010

Eureka!

Plugging the USB transmitter into the back of the pc, directly into the mobo has done the trick

. I have four such USB slots on the mobo and not sure if I'm in the No. 1 or not. Previously, I had the USB transmitter inserted into the side of my flat screen (which has 4 USB slots).

After changing the location to the mobo slot, I performed both a restart and a cold boot and got into the BIOS both ways with the DEL key.

As for the BIOS settings, there was no USB Keyboard Support option.

Thanks, Shawn, for your help with this. Much appreciated.

Pedro38

Brink · 14 Feb 2010

You're most welcome Pedro. I'm happy to hear that it's working for you now. :)

mlevy · 15 Feb 2010

For this reason I would suggest that any device needed prior to boot be plugged into the system itself. Some external devices (such as the hub on the monitor) don't initialize until after the OS has loaded.