Cannot get into BIOS with USB keyboard on old (and working great) PowerSpec G170

racketteer

Hi,

For many years I have used an old keyboard with AT plug -> USB adapter -> PowerSpec G170. It has worked great. I finally upgraded to a real USB keyboard, so I don't need the adapter anymore, and the G170 will not let me get into the BIOS with it. In fact, if I get real aggressive on the F2 key the keyboard is completely disabled when it finally comes up in Windows.

Even though it is 8 years old it works great, handles Win 10 Pro like a champ, and I'm very happy with it. Except for this. Any suggestions? It uses an Intel DZ68DB motherboard.

Thanks,

Daniel

PowerSpec_MikeW

Greetings @racketteer

Have you tested multiple USB ports on the rear? Please test the top USB 2.0 ports first. It would appear that this board does have issues with some USB keyboards at startup. Do you still have the old PS/2 keyboard with the adapter so that we can use it to check your BIOS settings?

racketteer

Yes, I have tried one of the top rear USB 2.0 ports. I have also tried one of the front ports and one the USB 3.0 ports. I still have the old setup so I can get into BIOS that way.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@racketteer

Check your BIOS under Integrated Peripherals for a setting called USB Keyboard Support. Is that enabled?

racketteer

I do not see an Integrated Peripherals setting. I found a setting for USB Legacy, which is enabled, and Fast Boot / USB Optimization, which is disabled.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@racketteer

Leave that off, it'll make it more difficult to get back into the BIOS. No specific USB keyboard setting?  Have you tested any other USB keyboards besides the current one?

racketteer

Thank you for your assistance. I was able to determine that the new keyboard can enter the BIOS unless the separate USB numeric keypad was plugged in. If the keypad was plugged in, either directly to the PC or through a hub (on the monitor), I could not enter the BIOS. Once I unplugged the keypad I could enter the BIOS through any of the rear connectors or through the hub.

I will be contacting the makers of the keyboard and keypad (Kinesis). Do you have any suggestions while I wait for them to respond?

PowerSpec_MikeW

Interesting. I have seen issues with some USB keyboards and this particular motherboard. Nothing else I have to suggest at this time.

racketteer

OK. Thanks again for your help. Your suggestion to try a different keyboard was key. Before reaching out I had tried the different keyboard and it didn't work. At your prompting I tried it again,  explicitly putting it in the first USB, and it worked. I investigated further and isolated it to the keypad interfering with the keyboard rather than the different keyboard or the USB location. The keypad interferes with the other USB keyboard, too. I appreciate you working with me on this.