Can't use the keyboard!

Gizmo · 17th August 2003

Help...

I have a Socket A SiS chipped motherboard and on starting, it reads the keyboard OK but will not accept any input from it, the keyboard is OK, I checked it out on this computer, and same result with other keyboards attached.

I can't even press "Delete" to enter BIOS setup anthough every key press causes a low "click" sound so I don't think the PS/2 connection is faulty.

Can anyone think of a way out? short of junking the Motherboard.

Thanks,

Gizmo

dale442 · 17th August 2003

~If~ no other PS-2 mice will work, you can try a USB one. May get you by for awhile.

Dale

**Rockster2U** · 17th August 2003

If you have at least one good PS2 port, get a PS2 splitter and run both mouse and keyboard from that. You can get a USB keyboard. You might want to investigate a USB/PS2 adapter. You could get a USB keyboard with its own onboard PS2 port. You can add a PS2 IO card. Or, you can hardwire a new PS2 port to the motherboard.

Lastly, you can pitch the motherboard.

Basically - you have quite a few options.

**mattman** · 17th August 2003

Hold down a key from power-up. This should (may) get you into the BIOS setup with an error. Look through the settings if there is a "keyboard lock".

Matt

**mattman** · 17th August 2003

Check/reseat your RAM cards. Had a lot of problems on one M/B not setting the keyboard. Couldn't read the RAM.

Matt

**Rockster2U** · 17th August 2003

Very good suggestion - just went through the same thing and highly suspected Memory. Wound up using a different MB, CPU, cooler, video card and memory - (File Server - couldn't take any chances)

Memory in question - PC3200 Cas2 Corsair XMS

Gizmo · 17th August 2003

Thanks fellas for the wealth of answers, they'll keep me busy for a while.

I'm cross with myself for not thinking of several already - to many late nights?

Anyway, when (optimist, right?) I get in to the computer, I'll get back and post the results.

Thanks again.

Gizmo

Gizmo · 17th August 2003

Hi all,

Well, here we are again...

The mouse works in the mouse PS/2 socket but the keyboard does not, not even with a splitter, I tried removing the mouse driver... and used serial/USB mice instead, but it would not boot with keyboard in "wrong" port.

No problem starting computer, runs well as long as I don't want to type anything!!!

USB keyboard no go... seems I have to enable USB keyboard support in BIOS first - by Pressing the 'Delete' key" on start up... BAH!

Dismantled entire box checked memory & PCI/AGP seatings, checked all bits out on other computer, all OK!

Only things plugged in now are CPU (XP1600) - Memory (512Mb PC2100) - AGP Video card (ATI Rage 8500) - FDD/HDD & CD-ROM

One curious thing, Windows (98SE) reports keyboard installed and working properly - but - installs a new 101/102 Standard keyboard every time it starts - at one time there was seven!

It looks to me like it must be the PS/2 port that is faulty, as keyboard gives all appearances of working (lights on - clicks etc,) except no output.

I have never come across a plug in PS/2 port - That may be the answer - as long as I don't have to change the BIOS first! what exactly IS the port? is it all in the connector or is some of it on the motherboard?

I had never really appreciated how IMPORTANT the keyboard is until now...

Cheers,

Gizmo