Solved Dual Boot - Keyboard and Mouse NOT Working after switching OS

Jack W

New member
Local time
7:14 AM
Messages
11
My operating systems are:
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (Default OS)
Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit

Motherboard:
ASUS MAXIMUS VII HERO Intel Z97

Problem:
Mouse and keyboard stop working at the logon screen (usually even sooner at Starting Windows loading screen) when switching from Windows 8 to Windows 7. But when you switch from Windows 7 to Windows 8, they still work but not vice versa. They don't work at the Windows 7 installation menu either when booting from Windows DVD.

I have tried:
  • Unplug mouse and keybaord. Nothing.
  • Plug-in another keyboard. Still nothing. It' s like they are being turned off immediately I plug them in.

Known temporary fixes:
1. Turn of PC and disconnect the power cable. Put the cable back in and start the PC. Mouse and keyboard are now work again. If you switch OS again you have to repeat these steps.
2. Go to the BIOS settings and change default settings related to USBs. Like USB Support to "Full Initialization" (default: Partial Initialization). Save changes and restart PC and they should work again.

Question:
How can I fix it so that mouse and keyboard always work when booting to a different OS?
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Mult...Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz16,00 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55-UD3
Memory
16,00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Monitor(s) Displays
BENQ V2220H Led Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
Hard Drives
(1) WDC WD2003FZEX-00Z4SA0 ATA Device
PSU
ChiefTec APS 650C
Antivirus
Karspersky Anti-Virus 2015
I got it fixed. The problem was related to USB 3.0.

Solution was to change Intel xHCI Mode from "Smart Auto" to "Auto" (or just disable it) under Advanced - USB Configuration. So it will not use USB 3.0 during the boot.

Note: Also make sure that Legacy USB support it set to Auto or Enabled.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Mult...Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz16,00 GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55-UD3
Memory
16,00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Monitor(s) Displays
BENQ V2220H Led Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
Hard Drives
(1) WDC WD2003FZEX-00Z4SA0 ATA Device
PSU
ChiefTec APS 650C
Antivirus
Karspersky Anti-Virus 2015
Nice one Jack. I had same issue with Windows 7 after setting up a dual boot with Windows 10. Disabled USB 3.0 and now works a treat. Thanks ! I thought I was going mad ! Regards, Gary
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit
Thank you very much for the resolution on this. As I was also running in to the same issue when multi-booting from Windows 10 default, I was rather puzzled since the multi-boot was working. USB drivers were not loading.

I set Intel xHCI Mode to "Auto" and it is working fine now.

Heh, even Microsoft had no clue.

Thanks again! Very happy now with my dual-boot between Windows 10 and Windows 7.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Professional (64bit)Intel I5-4430 CPU @ 3.00GHz12GBNvidia GTX 750
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom build
OS
Windows 10 Professional (64bit)
CPU
Intel I5-4430 CPU @ 3.00GHz
Motherboard
Asus B85M-G
Memory
12GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 750
Hard Drives
Western Digital WD10EXEX-21M2NA0 (1Tb)
Western Digital WD6400AAKS-65A7B (500GB)
Antivirus
AVG
Browser
Waterfox
This thread just saved my sanity. I dual boot Windows 10 and 7, I have been trying to find a way to get keyboard and mouse working without rebooting a million times for months.

One click in my UEFI to set USB xHCI to Auto...now works perfectly. I also found that having 10 as default works better than having 7 as default, before this change less problems if I had 7 default.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 and 7 64biti5 4690K16gDiamond R9 290
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 10 and 7 64bit
CPU
i5 4690K
Motherboard
Asrock Pro4
Memory
16g
Graphics Card(s)
Diamond R9 290
Hard Drives
ssd 120, 1 tera WD Black
Antivirus
windows defender
Browser
chrome, edge
Back
Top