Keyboard Error Message at Startup

Hello,
I have an old Dell Dimensions 4400 (running Windows xp professional w/ sp3) that I keep around but is rarely used. I do turn it on and get all the updates and make sure that everything else is up to date as well so that should I need to use it there will be no issues.

Anyway, the pc originally came with a keyboard and mouse that connected to it with the older style connectors (can't think of that darn connector right now). I replaced that with a USB Keyboard and mouse and was not having any issues at all.

Today, I disconnected that keyboard and mouse and connected a logitech unifying keyboard and mouse to the pc. I had no problems with installing the software and getting the pc and software to recognize and connect both the keyboard and mouse. Both the mouse and keyboard are working just fine. However, I went to restart the pc after doing some updates and just before the windows starting screen appeared there was a brief moment that there was a black screen with some sort of message that was only there for a very short period of time so I restarted the pc again and all I could manage to get from the message was something about a keyboard error but then the pc continues to start up and I have no problems entering my password or using the keyboard or mouse.

I am wondering if anyone knows what that message may be (or how to get it to stay just a little longer so that I can read it) or what I may need to do to fix it so - if need be. I did check in device manager and there are no exclamation points or red x's. But I did click to select for it to check for any hardware changes (just in case).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

To get the blue screen to stay up without a restart, you need to make that change in Advanced settings, after you right click on my computer. Most likely the error is hardware related (ie new keyboard), due to the machine is looking for the PS2 connected keyboard or USB as legacy keyboard. When it does not find, it will not recognize the new fancy smancy keyboard you have. Some older machines are just like that.

You may want to check the Logitech forums to see if anyone else has had the same issue as you have, or if you can get the BSOD to stay up longer, post what it states. If you have a smartphone, take a picture of it and post.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

The screen is actually black with white text on it and when I started the pc this time I tried to start reading from the top and it starts with the Dell information - didn't actually see anything about a keyboard error so unless I start having some sort of issue I'm not going to worry about it (especially since I generally only turn that pc on to make sure everything is up to date and running properly - just in case I need to use it as a backup should my laptop have issues).

Thanks Again and Have a Wonderful Summer!

 

Then you are getting a bios message that it can not find a keyboard.

 

Maybe I had better turn that pc back on and check the bios just to be sure - I generally just turn the pc on and then leave the room - letting it do its thing and then come back in and log on so for all I know it was having the same issue when I was using the usb keyboard since it did originally come with a keyboard that plugged into the pc with the ps/2 connector and I never noticed it.

Is there something specific I should be looking for when i do get into the bios?

Thanks!

 

Check the settings for USB, If Legacy is off, turn it on. Also you can post a screenshot of each bios screen if unsure.

 

Hello,
I was finally able to get into the bios. Apparently after doing some research - according to Dell "To get into the BIOS on the 4400, you need to hit the Delete key immediatley after the computer starts. If you have a USB keyboard, it might not be recongnized before Windows loads unless it is plugged in to the right USB port. Try different USB ports until you get it to work." "If switching USB ports doesn't work then temporarily hook up a PS/2 style keyboard to enter the BIOS Setup. Once in the Setup be sure the setting for USB Legacy Support is enabled if it isn't already. The Legacy Support should allow you to use a USB keyboard during the boot up to access the BIOS Setup."

I was either not hitting the Delete button fast enough or I have the little USB Dongle plugged into the "wrong" usb port so that it is recognized by the bios setup. Anyway, I got out the old ps/2 keyboard and entered the bios (which I was finally able to get into either because of the different keyboard or I was fast enough now - really doesn't matter what the reason was). I did check the bios and the Legacy Support is already enabled.

Thanks for the help (I'm guessing the info was because of the usb dongle being plugged into the "wrong" usb port for the bios to read it - although I was able to use that usb keyboard to enter my password).

Anyway, Thanks again!!!

 

What I have done, is used the USB to PS2 adapter for the USB keyboard my son uses on my old desktop. It leaves one of the USB ports open, and also allows a USB keyboard to always be detected.