[virginskyfan]

Hello,
I've had a new motherboard installed in my PC.It's an Acer Veriton M464(Running XP Pro) and the the new Mobo that has been installed is a Gigabyte G41M-Combo.

The chap at the shop said I need to ideally reformat or at very worst install the new drivers. So,in theory, hat would be no problem to do at home.
I needed to copy the data urgently so the shop didn't have the HD on installation.

When it boots up it says it needs to connect to windows to confirm identity. In theory, that's fine but the problem is that I can't use the mouse or keyboard. Every time I insert a usb item, either front or back, the machine shuts down.
I then thought I'd try a female PS/2 adaptor to use with my usb mouse but no joy either.

Is there a big difference between a regular PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse and using one with an adaptor?
Do you think a PS/2 mouse may allow me access to the PC?
Finally do you have any thoughts as to why the PC shuts down on usb insertion.
I know it's my own fault for not having the HD at the time of installation but would welcome any help !


Cheers

[F2kSel]

Will it even get to bios if the the mouse/keyboard are plugged in, if you can't then I think it's more than just drivers.

I had a problem the other day when I went to safe mode my USB mouse wasn't seen, I used my PS2 mouse which worked fine.

[Tassium]

Make sure the machine is off, plug in the keyboard.

Switch the computer on, press DEL to get into BIOS.

(it's probably DEL, this is not an ACER machine anymore it's a Gigabyte machine)

In the BIOS does the keyboard work to control the on-screen cursors? Can you change settings etc etc?

If so then it's likely a mismatch between the old installation of windows and the new motherboard. In fact I think it is probably that.
---------------

Things like USB are controlled by special chips called a "chipset"

The previous Windows installation had drivers installed for the "chipset" (special chips) for the old motherboard.

This new motherboard is likely using a different "chipset" and you might have to completely re-install Windows!


But maybe not, first see if you can get into BIOS with the keyboard plugged in as I suggested above.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by Tassium

Make sure the machine is off, plug in the keyboard.

Switch the computer on, press DEL to get into BIOS.

(it's probably DEL, this is not an ACER machine anymore it's a Gigabyte machine)

In the BIOS does the keyboard work to control the on-screen cursors? Can you change settings etc etc?

If so then it's likely a mismatch between the old installation of windows and the new motherboard. In fact I think it is probably that.
---------------

Things like USB are controlled by special chips called a "chipset"

The previous Windows installation had drivers installed for the "chipset" (special chips) for the old motherboard.

This new motherboard is likely using a different "chipset" and you might have to completely re-install Windows!


But maybe not, first see if you can get into BIOS with the keyboard plugged in as I suggested above.

I have managed to get into the bios through pressing DEL.What should I do now?

[Tassium]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

I have managed to get into the bios through pressing DEL.What should I do now?

So the machine is staying on fine?

And you can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move around the various options?

--------------------
If you want to turn off the machine just press the "on" button on the case.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by Tassium

So the machine is staying on fine?

And you can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move around the various options?

--------------------
If you want to turn off the machine just press the "on" button on the case.

I'm in the BIOS,yes but the PC won't boot normally.Previously it would just cycle off and on when I had a USB plugged in.The mouse won't work and the keyboard wouldn't allow me to change anything eg confirm/check windows.

Having said that obviously the keyboard worked enough to get me into the Bios!

As I said I'm currently in the Bios.Fan noise very loud but I'm not sure what I should do now I'm actually in the bios

[Tassium]

Now you're in the BIOS...

If you press the arrow keys on the keyboard (cursor keys) does stuff change on the screen?

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by Tassium

Now you're in the BIOS...

If you press the arrow keys on the keyboard (cursor keys) does stuff change on the screen?

yes it does

[Tassium]

OK. Now just press the "on" button on the case, the PC will just go off suddenly.


Windows has a thing called "safe mode" which bypasses many drivers. So you need to get into Safe Mode.


With the PC off, plug the mouse into a USB socket and keep the keyboard plugged in.

Now press "On" and keep tapping at the F8 key on the keyboard, like twice a second until the message shown below appears.


Eventually a long message will appear offering many options, like this:


Safe Mode

Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode with Command Prompt
---

Or something like that, and other words as well.

Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, highlight the top option: Safe Mode

Then press ENTER. Windows should boot up. It might take a while so just leave it until it stops.

Then tell me what is showing.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by Tassium

OK. Now just press the "on" button on the case, the PC will just go off suddenly.


Windows has a thing called "safe mode" which bypasses many drivers. So you need to get into Safe Mode.


With the PC off, plug the mouse into a USB socket and keep the keyboard plugged in.

Now press "On" and keep tapping at the F8 key on the keyboard, like twice a second until the message shown below appears.


Eventually a long message will appear offering many options, like this:


Safe Mode

Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode with Command Prompt
---

Or something like that, and other words as well.

Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, highlight the top option: Safe Mode

Then press ENTER. Windows should boot up. It might take a while so just leave it until it stops.

Then tell me what is showing.

So am I right in thinking there was no purpose in being in the bios?
The machine won't allow access to usb at all and pressing DEL to get into the bios seems to be a fluke.It just cycles on and off with any usb plugged in

[Tassium]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

So am I right in thinking there was no purpose in being in the bios?
The machine won't allow access to usb at all and pressing DEL to get into the bios seems to be a fluke.It just cycles on and off with any usb plugged in

Going into BIOS was to see if the USB ports were all fine.


So are you saying you have tried the F8 Safe Mode above and it just cannot be done?

[virginskyfan]

Yes.Tried all keys on keyboard and nothing

[Tassium]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

Yes.Tried all keys on keyboard and nothing

I don't know what to try then.

Maybe someone else in these forums has an idea.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by Tassium

I don't know what to try then.

Maybe someone else in these forums has an idea.

Ok thanks

[LION8TIGER]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

Having said that obviously the keyboard worked enough to get me into the Bios!

As I said I'm currently in the Bios.Fan noise very loud but I'm not sure what I should do now I'm actually in the bios

Look for something like 'enable USB legacy support' and tick it, could be under 'integrated peripherals'.
That though should not make the machine shut down.

[max99]

Try a regular PS2 keyboard. Leave the USB keyboard and mouse unplugged. See if it now boots into Windows or at least Safe Mode.

But preferably, connect the drive to another computer and backup your data. Then restore to factory settings or wipe the drive and reinstall Windows. No point messing around trying to fix a Windows installation when there may be god-knows how many other issues waiting for you.

Also, you haven't yet told us why you needed a new motherboard. This might be very relevant.

And finally - in future, make life easier for yourself and always have your data backed up.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by max99

Try a regular PS2 keyboard. Leave the USB keyboard and mouse unplugged. See if it now boots into Windows or at least Safe Mode.

But preferably, connect the drive to another computer and backup your data. Then restore to factory settings or wipe the drive and reinstall Windows. No point messing around trying to fix a Windows installation when there may be god-knows how many other issues waiting for you.

Also, you haven't yet told us why you needed a new motherboard. This might be very relevant.

And finally - in future, make life easier for yourself and always have your data backed up.

Max99
I have the data backed up so no issue there.If I need to reinstall that will be fine.
PC wouldn't boot and 2nd PC repairer in a row diagnosed Mobo after spending a long time running diagnostics.

1st and main issue is obviously just having the use of neither keyboard or mouse and then 2nd if I need to repurchase windows(I have a legit Xp code on the side of the machine but no installation discs.

Obviously I'd like to get the machine to recognise a mouse or keyboard 1st!

I take it then that A PS/2 adaptor for USB just doesn't serve the same purpose at all?

[LION8TIGER]

You can enter the BIOS by pressing delete as it boots so there is a connection there. I had the same problem years ago where USB legacy support was turned off in the BIOS.
Google has some info. I did not get the computer shutting down as you do.

[Ulysses777]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

I take it then that A PS/2 adaptor for USB just doesn't serve the same purpose at all?

Well done Digital Spy, your automated shopping links are now being interpreted as technical advice from posters.

[virginskyfan]

Originally Posted by LION8TIGER

You can enter the BIOS by pressing delete as it boots so there is a connection there. I had the same problem years ago where USB legacy support was turned off in the BIOS.
Google has some info. I did not get the computer shutting down as you do.

So It may be worth trying to turn on the USB legacy in the bios if I can find where that it?

[LION8TIGER]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

So It may be worth trying to turn on the USB legacy in the bios if I can find where that it?

Yes, well worth a look anyway. The problem can be finding it under some sub heading but look for things like USB legacy support, keyboard support etc, it should be there somewhere.
Press the appropriate key to save and exit the BIOS if you do find it.

[max99]

Originally Posted by virginskyfan

I take it then that A PS/2 adaptor for USB just doesn't serve the same purpose at all?

You would expect it to work fine, but in reality, these adapters can be hit and miss.

Following L8T's advice to enable legacy support in the BIOS may well sort out the problem for you, but if not, try and scrounge an old PS2 keyboard from somewhere.

Personally, after replacing a motherboard (more so on XP than on later versions of Windows), I would prefer to go for a clean install - especially if you're immediately running into problems with the machine shutting down. Even if you get the keyboard working and can boot into Safe Mode, there may be other immediate problems and/or future stability issues.

[virginskyfan]

Update.......

I have managed to get into the PC via PS/2 Mouse .Tried to activate. No joy so called Microsoft who tell me that my XP Pro is OEM and so tied to the old motherboard. if I want to get XP up and running again it will cost me another £65.