Keyboard Problem – Keyboard Not Working Installing Windows ?

A very common keyboard problem which usually occurs due to USB legacy support not being enabled or available.

What can cause this type of keyboard problem ?

·        Windows Installations - during a Windows installation if you are prompted for a driver, the keyboard and mouse fail to respond, resulting in catch 22, to complete the installation before the keyboard and mouse will work you need to install a driver, but the restarting will only bring you back to the issue, with no way to install it.

·        Booting your computer in DOS mode - as opposed to opening a DOS shell session from Windows

·        Booting from any media with a DOS front end

·        Not being able to press any key when prompted to after a BSD or blue screen of death error

·        In essence this can affect any DOS based utilities, which includes many older types of applications and operating systems.

Resolutions

If your not happy to be changing the computers BIOS settings ( as changing them incorrectly can cause serious computer problems ) you can always check if your computer supports PS2 type keyboard connections, and then use one of these in place of the USB or purchase a USB to PS2 converter to enable you to keep your existing keyboard.


Ps2 Type Ports - USB to Ps2 Converter


If you do find your computer having issues after changing any BIOS settings, within the BIOS there should be an option to reset to defaults, this will simply reset your BIOS settings back to how the computer was when it left the family ( this will not change or reset any of your Windows information)

Does the computer have USB legacy support – this can be accessed though the computers BIOS – to enter the bios you’ll need to reboot the computer, now look for a notification on how to enter the setup or BIOS this is normally the Delete or F2 key, but can vary depending on computer or motherboard types.

BIOS settings screen showing Legacy USB Support

Once you are in the BIOS settings look for USB legacy support and change this to enabled, this can normally be found under Advanced or Peripheral headings, but this is dependent on your BIOS type and version.

Computer startup screen showing F2 BIOS / Setup entry

If you are having difficulty getting into the BIOS or settings due to information scrolling too quickly to be read try hitting the Esc or Tab keys on startup, the other way is to check the manufacturers website to obtain this information. If however the manufacturer does not have a website or your computer is an unbranded model then read our article on how to identify your motherboard and BIOS

If you find that the computers BIOS does not have any USB legacy settings to change, you can either download and upgrade the computers BIOS ( be warned though upgrading an incorrect BIOS can destroy your motherboard ) or the simplest option is to make sure your computer has a PS2 type of keyboard connector port and then simply purchase this type of keyboard or a USB to PS2 converter which will enable you to keep your existing keyboard.

Notes
If you find the keyboard not working installing windows - and you cannot use the above USB legacy settings method then it’s a good idea to purchase a cheap PS2 keyboard, or USB to PS2 converter and just use this during the installation and then you can revert back to full USB once it is installed, and then it will be able to install the correct USB drivers for you.

If you have another keyboard problem
checkout our main keyboard problem page where we cover more general keyboard issues.

If your keyboard has a software related problem
Find out how to run a system restore resetting your computer back to a time when it was working ok

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