Tip #1367 - USB Keyboards in DOS Mode
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Worldstart
If you have a USB keyboard,
you may find that if you boot to a system prompt it refuses to work. Seems no
amount of key pounding solves the problem—it's like the computer doesn't
even know the keyboard is there.
You see, USB sometimes won't
work outside the Windows environment. However, all is not lost—sometimes
there is an option to enable USB keyboard and mice buried deep within the mysterious
regions of your computer's CMOS. This is especially true on newer computers
(really new computers usually already have it enabled).
So, if you have a USB keyboard
(wireless or otherwise) that you want to use in DOS mode, follow these steps
using your old PS/2 keyboard:
1. Read
this warning—Messing around with your computer's base settings
(CMOS settings) can really mess things up. Proceed with caution and only do
this if your 100% comfortable with it. We're not talking windows here, these
are actual machine settings. The potential consequences for messing up are enough
to make your computer tech curl up in the fetal position. We assume no responsibility
for you going in and nuking your computer.
OK, for the two of you who
are still with me...
2. When you boot your computer,
look for instructions for entering setup. They are usually at the bottom of
the screen. In most systems you press the Delete or F2
key and it enters setup right after the memory test. Again, this is WAY before
windows even begins starting up—we're talking about 3 seconds after you
tap the power button.
Sometimes manufacturers
will give you a "splash" screen when you first turn on the computer
to insulate you from all the jargon lurking just behind it. Now is not the time
for digital squeamishness though. If you get a "splash" screen when
you first turn on the power, hit the ESC key—that will usually let you
see what's hiding behind it (and what you need to press to get to the settings).
If this is confusing, or you've just noticed a bead of sweat forming above your
left eye, stop now :-)
3. OK, you've pressed your
way into to system settings area—congrats! From here, I'm only going to
give you very general advice: all these setup screens tend to be a little different.
You'll probably scroll through items using your tab, pageup / pagedown, or arrow
keys (sorry, no mouse support here). Usually there is a "guide" as
to which buttons to push somewhere to the south of your display.
4. For this tip, we're looking
for some sort of USB setup. Most of the time, it's under a category called "Integrated
Peripherals" or something equally cryptic. Use your arrow keys to highlight
that category and press Enter to go see your options. Again,
since this stuff varies from machine to machine, you may have to fish around
a little before you stumble upon USB settings. Normally, hitting your ESC
key will back you out of a category and dump you back to the main screen.
Once you find those USB
settings, you may see an option for enabling a USB mouse, keyboard, or just
enabling USB support. You generally highlight the selection you want, press
the enter key, then use arrows to change. AGAIN, this may vary!!! Don't make
any changes you're not sure about.
5. Finally, exit the system
settings. There should be some kind of menu item that says "Save Changes
And Exit". If you have any lingering doubts about the computer's ability
to run again after your "adjustments", exit with the one that says
"Discard Changes And Exit".
If all that's too much for
ya, you can always keep an old PS keyboard on hand for your DOS dealings :-)
~ Steve
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