Wireless keyboard problems

silvercar

New Microsoft wireless keyboard connected via USB, but the computer won't "see it" during start up and I have to plug in the old PS/2 wired keyboard until the computer is up and running. Any way round this?

Other problem is that the number 4, both on number pad and number row, shows an error when entered as part of a password, until I delete it and enter it again then it's fine. Displays properly at all other times.

Any ideas?

m5rcc

How is the battery level? Did you install any drivers for this or just relied on Windows to auto-install?

silvercar

m5rcc wrote: »

How is the battery level? Did you install any drivers for this or just relied on Windows to auto-install?

Thanks for your reply.

Battery level in the keyboard? I used the batteries that came with the keyboard.
Windows auto-install. I assumed that a microsoft product wouldn't need anything else.
I suspect there is some battery in the computer that has died as the date resets to 0/0/00 when the machine is off. I've installed AnalogX atomic TimeSync to load on startup to get around this, but I do need to press F1 on startup to get the machine going - hence my need for a keyboard that will work from start up.
Windows auto-install, is there something better - it is a microsoft keyboard.

robmar0se

How old is the PC? Some older machines the BIOS won't recognise USB attachments until after booting - maybe there is a BIOS update for your PC?

m5rcc

silvercar wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Battery level in the keyboard? I used the batteries that came with the keyboard.
Windows auto-install. I assumed that a microsoft product wouldn't need anything else.
I suspect there is some battery in the computer that has died as the date resets to 0/0/00 when the machine is off. I've installed AnalogX atomic TimeSync to load on startup to get around this, but I do need to press F1 on startup to get the machine going - hence my need for a keyboard that will work from start up.
Windows auto-install, is there something better - it is a microsoft keyboard.

Well I'm sure drivers exist. As Rob states, maybe your BIOS doesn't accept USB until startup, although that would be rare as most keyboards and mice today are USB.

silvercar

Computer itself is old.

The BIOS not accepting USB til startup makes sense. I tried using this keyboard in the PS/2 slot (with a converter) but it wouldn't work at all.

BTW the USB powers the mouse and keyboard, its the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 800 Keyboard and Mouse Combo

SteveJH200

silvercar wrote: »

I suspect there is some battery in the computer that has died as the date resets to 0/0/00 when the machine is off.

Dead CMOS batteries cause lots of problems. New ones are a matter of pence so replace it yourself and reset the BIOS. Have you tried the wireless USB in the rear (motherboard) socket as opposed to the front one?

silvercar

SteveJH200 wrote: »

Dead CMOS batteries cause lots of problems. New ones are a matter of pence so replace it yourself and reset the BIOS. Have you tried the wireless USB in the rear (motherboard) socket as opposed to the front one?

I have no knowledge of opening the machine, where the battery would be and what it would look like. Let alone resetting BIOS.

The wireless USB is in the back of the machine at the moment.

Anyone any idea why a keyboard would show "4" when typed but it not be recognised as "4" the first time on a password but would the second time? I can't find a driver for the keyboard anywhere.

Robisere

silvercar wrote: »

I have no knowledge of opening the machine, where the battery would be and what it would look like. Let alone resetting BIOS.

The wireless USB is in the back of the machine at the moment.

Anyone any idea why a keyboard would show "4" when typed but it not be recognised as "4" the first time on a password but would the second time? I can't find a driver for the keyboard anywhere.

Hi
Unplug everything from the computer and find a good, wide table to work on. Preferably one which has a surface that will not scratch, or use a mat on the table. Find a water pipe which is either bare, or has an earth connector (small band of metal) and touch it to remove static from yourself.

Follow this link:
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/remove-case-covers.htm
To easily learn how to remove the case sides and get to the CMOS battery.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm
for information on How To replace the CMOS Battery.

It really is quite a simple job, there is nothing complicated about it. And you will be well chuffed with yourself afterwards!:j

robmar0se

To be honest, if the Windows Time and Date are correct, then the CMOS battery is not likely to be at fault.

If I was a betting man, you say it is quite old - for eample we have a 2002 Dell Dimension 4400 here that will not recognise USB equipment until after booting - then I do not believe that there is much than could be done. In fact Dell's continued with this frustrating policy till at least 2007!

silvercar

robmar0se wrote: »

To be honest, if the Windows Time and Date are correct, then the CMOS battery is not likely to be at fault.

If I was a betting man, you say it is quite old - for eample we have a 2002 Dell Dimension 4400 here that will not recognise USB equipment until after booting - then I do not believe that there is much than could be done. In fact Dell's continued with this frustrating policy till at least 2007!

If it wasn't for the fact that the date and time reset to zero when the power is off then I wouldn't to use the keyboard as its booting up. So sorting out the date/ time problem should mean that the issue doesn't arise.