Hi all,
Ever since I tried to install Zune to DL some music to my new Windows phone, I haven't been able to use my USB & PS2 mice. These are the things I've done since then:

1) Re-installing the drivers for the USB, but to no avail. 
2) Ran the recommended Fixit program from Microsoft to no avail.
3) Uninstalled Zune completely...nada
4) Backed up my data onto DVD's, formatted my OS drive (which had Vista) and installed XP Pro (now I have 2 XP boot drives)

When hitting the DEL key (while booting up to get into BIOS), it doesn't go into BIOS and instead gives me the option of picking (now) 1 of the 2 XP OS to get into. Of note, when things were in working order, the option to get into BIOS was a quick hitting the DEL key (maybe 3-4 secs), but now it takes about 10-15 secs.

I'm wondering if I need to reset the CMOS on my ASUS M2N-E SLI to get the BIOS reset or what other options do I have?


I appreciate any advice on this......


Thanks,
 

wow - what a fiasco!

I think that's what I would do Mesh, reset the CMOS.

Yep that's what I'd do too.

On that board, turn off and unplug.  Take the CMOS battery out.  You see pins labelled CLRTC which will have a jumper set to 1 and 2, set that jumper to 2-3 for a good 20 seconds, put the jumper back in it's original position and replace the battery.

Power up and the <del> key should be working again.

If that doesn't work you should be able to re-write the BIOS by first booting from the CD that came with the MB

Thanks Beagle & JB.....your instructions were spot on with the manual. I did that and it now shows that the defaults are loaded with a list of my hardware (pre-BIOS screen). It gives me an option of pressing F1 to continue or DEL to enter setup. Neither of them work. (I also switched my keyboard with another PS2 keyboard and to no avail). 

I just tried to boot to F1, DEL, or any other function keys....... 

Do you have a USB keyboard you can try?  It looks like the PS/2 keyboard port may be bad (that can happen if the keyboard was unplugged and plugged back in the PC powered on - a problem on many older systems with a PS/2 keyboard port).  However, depending on how the BIOS is setup it may or may not recognize a USB keyboard at boot up.

THIS  ^^^^^^^

You've shown that the BIOS has reset correctly, the only thing now is you have no control over entering it.

If it's a PS/2 connection try (when the machine is turned off!!!) plugging the keyboard in the PS/2 port for the mouse and trying to reboot again, sometimes the keyboard will work from there enabling you to at least set the bios up.  You should NEVER try 'hot-plugging' a PS/2 port when the machine is running!

Hopefully if that doesn't work a USB keyboard will, as that is the only alternative you have left.

Thanks JB for all the help. I don't have a USB keyboard (yet), but will certainly try plugging in the keyboard into the PS/2 mouse port and give an update.
  

Jonbouy


THIS  ^^^^^^^

You've shown that the BIOS has reset correctly, the only thing now is you have no control over entering it.

If it's a PS/2 connection try (when the machine is turned off!!!) plugging the keyboard in the PS/2 port for the mouse and trying to reboot again, sometimes the keyboard will work from there enabling you to at least set the bios up.  You should NEVER try 'hot-plugging' a PS/2 port when the machine is running!

Hopefully if that doesn't work a USB keyboard will, as that is the only alternative you have left.

Just wanting to confirm before getting a USB keyboard.....


I tried plugging in the keyboard to the PS/2 mouse port and rebooted, and nada.....
While I got the listing of all the drives attached, CPU info, RAM info etc...on the screen, it also displayed this message below that:

CMOS checksum error - Defaults loaded

I assume this is the expected outcome from resetting CMOS.....no?

Would using a flash drive or CD with the latest BIOS version work at all?

The problem is the device is not being recognized.  You will at least need to try a USB keyboard to see.  You can get a cheap $5 one at places such as Big Lots.  It may not be a great keyboard but enough to test. 

I've seen PS/2 keyboard ports go bad (the Keyboard I/O chip) and this could be what has happened. 

Once you reset the BIOS there is some manual interaction required.  I don't see flashing the BIOS as getting you anything, if you can even do it. 

"Mesh"
Just wanting to confirm before getting a USB keyboard.....

How about getting a PS2 to USB adapter instead? At least, it would confirm if you really need a new keyboard.

http://www.amazon.com/Rep...-Adapter/dp/B0009RKLMG