I can't get into the bios to install windows

coldfeet

Hi,

I've recently built a new pc and I was trying to install windows xp last night(its a working copy) but it wouldn't boot from the cd so I tried to go into the bios but there was no response from the keyboard. I was origionaly using a usb one so I persummed that it needed drivers before it would work. I got a 2 seperate PS/2 keyboards, plugged them in and booted the PC but no lights came on them which lead me to believe thats the port isin't working.

The thing thats really confusing me tho is I also have a usb to PS/2 connector. If I plug the usb keyboard into the PS/2 port all the lights come on so there is power coming into it. But when I restart the pc they just all come on and not on/off like in a typical bootup.

All suggestions gratefully appreciated

Khannie

Silly question maybe: Are you sure you're pressing the right key to get into the bios?

coldfeet

No such thing as a silly question.

Ya i'm pressing the correct key and I've also tried all the known keys for the bios.

jum4

if you have no keyboard attached and try and and boot up, do you get a no keyboard error?

coldfeet

I haven't tried that but i will this evening. Will it make a difference even if there's no operating system on it.

At the moment when I bootup the PC I get a black screen with the motherboard details for maybe 5 secs, the pc beeps and then I get a blank black screen

ScumLord

My USB keyboard won't work at certain stages of bootup ether but plugging in an ordinary keyboard did the trick, I now have 2 keyboards plugged in at all times.

Maybe try resetting the bios?

coldfeet

How can I reset the bios if I can't get into it.

Ruu_Old

I think Scumlord means that you can reset the bios via the jumpers on the motherboard or by removing the CMOS battery for a few hours and then putting it back in (little coin cell battery on the motherboard). I'm not sure if that will work but worth a try.

coldfeet

Cheers for that.

I can give it a try but my problem is that no keyboard will work. The PS/2 shows no power when the pc boots but the usb through a PS/2 connector shows constant power and neither of them work

Khannie

Ruu wrote:

or by removing the CMOS battery for a few hours and then putting it back in (little coin cell battery on the motherboard). I'm not sure if that will work but worth a try.

A few minutes should do. This sounds like a decent idea.

Not having an OS installed wont matter to the BIOS.

WizZard

What is the motherboard make/model number?