Keyboard PS/2 and USB Problem

[Antonimo]

MSI Motherboard - Microstar KM4M-L
Windows 2000

I am trying to assist my father who is another country...!

He recently tried to disconnect his USB web cam whilst the PC was running. As he tried to reach behind the box, on the floor, under his desk, the PS/2 keyboard became disconnected (the leads are usually too short, aren't they?).

Ever since, the keyboard has not worked.

At boot up he cannot enter setup to check the BIOS.

He can get into Windows and use the mouse (also PS/2) but the keyboard has disappeared from the Device Manager.

He bought a new USB keyboard but this is not being recognised either.

Can anybody suggest what might be the problem?

The motherboard is just under a year old and we may try to "flash" the BIOS using MSI's LiveUpdate utility, however, I fear that this will not work because typed input will be required in DOS.

Looking at other posts in the forums here makes me think that it is a motherboard problem. Could disconnecting the keyboard from the PS/2 port also prevent a new USB keyboard from working?

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AckNack]

Unplugging a keyboard (either PS/2 or AT) could damage the motherboard.

For a USB keyboard to work, USB support has to be enabled in the CMOS; and it isn't a lot of times by default.

AckNack

http://www.diypctech.com

 

[micker377]

Can he try another regular PS/2 keyboard to get the computer functioning and THEN troubleshoot the USB problems?

 

[Antonimo]

As well as trying a USB keyboard, we have tried using another PS/2 keyboard (thanks micker377).

Unfortuneately, still no joy.

At the moment we can get the computer started and we can use the "on screen keyboard" from Accessibility for basic input within Windows.

If the PS/2 port was damaged when the keyboard was disconnected, is there any way that we can find out the USB setting in the CMOS as per AckNack's suggestion?

I think we shall replace the MoBo within a few days, but if there is another solution, we would at least gain a spare MoBo...

Antonimo

 

[micker377]

Do you have all the setup software for the USB keyboard? If so, you should be able to plug in the USB board, do the USB install with the "onscreen" keyboard, and on reboot the computer should recognize the USB keyboard. By the way, does the USB port work?

 

[Antonimo]

Hi micker377,

Thanks for the input micker377.

The computer has not responded to having the keyboard plugged into the USB port, even after re-starts etc.

Yes, the USB works as we have video conferenced using his USB web cam.

The USB keyboard is completely brand new. A local dealer is going to provide him with a replacement MoBo in a day or two as a favour. That is really great - but it isn't helpful for the sake of finding a solution for future users of this forum!

We shall still try to find out what is causing the inability to use either a PS/2 or USB keyboard...