Using HP keyboard with Gateway computer

Hello, Have a gateway desktop, the keyboard that came with it was not USB, it had a designated location in the tower which received a circular prong. the keyboard was old and I wanted to update it. i purchased an HP USB multimedai keyboard. the directions just told me to plug in the USB while the computer was turned off, to then turn the computer on and insert the disk that came for instalation. I first disconnected my GW keyboard, then plugged in the USB for the HB kb, then turned on my computer. I would not even log on, I got a black screen with white typing saying something like " sorry for the inconvenience, windows cannot start normally due to a possible hardware change, or power outage, etc. It asked if I wanted to start up in safe mode. I have never run on safe mode, so I chose to start windows normally. It would not boot up and continually redirected me to this first page. I plugged in the gateway keyboard again, and then it finally booted and allowed me to sign in mormally. At that point, I inserted the disk and follwed the instructions to install the new HP keyboard. From the get go it was responded well, so I unplgged the GW keyboard again with the computer on and booted. At restart, the origninal screen came back stating I did not have a keyboard plugged in, and I couldn't get back to the sign in screen without plugging the gatway back in again.

Q: can I keep this keyboard? How do I get the computer to recognize it as my keyboard and not as some other USB device?
What can I do ???


Thanks for your help!
Denise

 

Pete,
Thanks... I really appreciate your help with this.

Unfortunately, after some fishing in the BIOS I finally found the USB legacy support option under "Peripheral Configuration ". This was already enabled.

I did not see another option anywhere else for USB controller or USB 2 controller.

The HP keyboard is working fine, but my old keyboard is still plugged in to the back of the tower. This is the only way I can get the computer to start up normally.

Any other suggestions?


I appreciate it.
Denise

 

I would just make a note to avoid disconnecting the PS/2 keyboard while the system is running. It is something the system is geared to rely on, if it is present when the computer is started up.

In Windows, look in Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs for any program that may relate to the Gateway (PS/2) keyboard and uninstall it. It may have a title that relates to other input devices as well, like the mouse. (It is only "helper" software so you won't lose the function of the mouse.) Looking at the downloads at Gateway, the application may provide "Hot Key" functions, or function for an internet button.

Go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager, open the heading for Keyboard and uninstall any listing.

Shut down and disconnect the PS/2 keyboard.

When you restart, Windows should recognise and install the drivers for the USB keyboard. If it happens to ask where to find the drivers, use the selection "I will choose the drivers from a list..." and you can find them there (or let it find them on the drivers disk).

If you cannot find the program that controls the PS/2 (Gateway) keyboard, let me know the model number of the computer. We may be able to find it at Gateway.

Matt

 

Hi Matt.. thanks for responding.

I cannot find a program at all in Control panel.
I DID go into Device manager as you suggested and followed those instructions, then shut down. I did disconnect the GW keyboard before turning on my computer again, hoping that it would just recognize the new keyboard and prompt to install the drivers as you presumed, but again it would not boot up because it still recognized that the Gateway was no longer plugged in.

I thought I had a GW 700 S, but I went to Gateway and ran a scan to check on the current configuration of my system. Here is the info it provided:



Model: Gateway E-4650
Serial Number: (kept private)
System name: (kept private)


Processor
Intel Pentium 4, 1800 MHz
100MHz external bus

BIOS
Intel Corp. MV85010A.15A.0041.P05.0202261432 02/26/2002

Memory
Upgrade
256MB physical
90% free resources
4 memory slots, 2 free (128+128+0+0)

Video
Upgrade
Graphics Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Screen Area/Colors: 1024x768 pixels, 16 million colors
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor: Gateway 4301

Drives
Upgrade
C:\ (NTFS) 38162MB total, 21765MB free
D:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive
E:\ CD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD Drive
F:\ Removable

Network and Modem
Upgrade
(modem) BCM BCM V.90 56K Modem
(net) Intel Intel PRO/100 VE Network Connection
(net) Microsoft Direct Parallel
(net) Microsoft 1394 Net Adapter

Operating System
Upgrade
Windows XP SP3 (Windows XP 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3)
Original setup date: 7/16/2006
DirectX Version: 5.03.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-0845)
Swap file managed by Windows
File cache managed by Windows

Browser
MSIE 7.0; 5.1; Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)
Proxy: No proxy set
HTTP level: direct 1.1, proxy 1.0
Scripting version: 5.7.0.18066


Thanks!'
Denise

 

No problems Denise, Pete's advice was strong, I thought he was going to nail it

Nowwww...
Both 700 S and E-4650 get no hits in a search at Gateway support. I expect that 700 S may mean that it is a 700 Series, but there are quite a few models in that series. E-4650 would be the motherboard model number and I think Gateway refer to their motherboards by name rather than number.
The other information is just general (Edit: mmmm, you have updated to SP3).

Try using the link "how to find my serial (number)" in step 2 here:
Gateway Computer, Server, Portable, Consumer Electronic Product Support
then input it into the Submit line. That should tell you the model number. Let me know the model number please.

If nothing else, if you find your model number, that could prove useful in the future. At the least it will help you navigate around the Gateway website, find information and downloads/updates.

Soooo...
That might still not lead us to the type of keyboard you have, or more importantly, what drivers may be running that causes Windows to think there is a hardware problem when the PS/2 keyboard is disconnected.

When you disconnect the PS/2 keyboard, you say it sends you to the screen to choose Safe Mode, try "Safe Mode with Networking ". Do you get to the desktop? Does the USB keyboard happen to work there? (Whether it does or doesn't may not have any baring on the outcome.)

To me it seems that Windows is set to "expect" that a PS/2 keyboard is going to be loaded. It appears to be confused when there isn't one present, it thinks that there is a hardware problem.

The same way you found Pete's suggestion about USB Legacy Support, try looking for a setting "Quick" Boot, "Quick" Startup or some such similar terms. set it to disabled (or No), then try restarting several times with only the USB keyboard connected.

Matt

 

Matt,
went to Gateway web site, when I entered my serial #, again it initially tells me its the 700s series. When I ask it to scan my system it gives me this info:
Model: Gateway E-4650
Serial Number: 0026836353
System name: GDAR-RDYY0ZCGSV


I am not sure how private this info should be kept. Please delete the info from this post once you have what you need.

Does this help?

Denise

 

The numbers will not have an influence on your privacy, they are like the identification plates on your car.

This is what I would expect should be what you need to do:
Keyboard uninstall

Let us know.

Matt

 

Just a silly thought.
Didn’t the USB ksyboard come with a green adapter?
It should have a USB connection on 1 end and a PS/2 circular connection on the other end.

Keyboard plugs into USB end – other end plugs into keyboard connection in computer.

If adapter was missing check back with store.



Edit:
BTW - computer will run a LOT better with XP if upgraded memory to at least 512MB.