Ok, so I'm hoping someone can help me with a small problem. During the boot I'm unable to get into setup, apparently due to the keyboard not being activated til the windows(vista) screen is loaded(it's a USB multimedia keyboard) and the lights don't come on until the password screen, and I've had the bootup stop once or twice with the usual "use up and down to select option" menu, and I couldn't do anything.:shrug:
Any clues why this might happen? It works perfectly fine at all other times, have tried using multiple USB ports but I can't find a reason for this to happen unless it's just the way this particular keyboard works(it's new) or something about vistas bootup.
Thanks to anyone who knows what this is about.

Do other USB peripherals power up before the password screen?
Camera
USB stick
Mouse, etc?

Do you have the old keyboard still? If not, this could be tricky :D
Have a look in BIOS/setup. There might be some kind of powersaving option, USB power setting, USB keyb/mouse options, keyb sleep settings...

Alternatively, if you can't find an answer and it upsets you, use a ps2 adapter. http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/USB-Series/USB-Connectors/USB-to-PS2-Adapter-21155568810.jpg

USB doesn't work in dos. and dos is what is esentially running during the boot process.

the USB to ps/2 adapter that phonetic suggested will solve your problems.

Would explain a few things! I'm not sure of other USB devices, the only one I could check would be the mouse, but I'm presuming none power up.
Is there a way to get into the bios from the system itself, as without the keyboard; getting into it the only way I know how proves impossible(on bootup). I have the old keyboard but it's a new system with no PS/2 slots(who's bright idea was it to build them this way now?). If the setup options for USB slots can be found in the control panel or somewhere I might be able to change them, any clues where to look?

There should be some setting in BIOS to have usb keyboard support during POST, DOS and so on. It's pretty common now, I'm sure. And I'd really hope there is if there's no ps/2 :-s

If you're not afraid of the inside of a pc, you could try taking different things out in the hope that it will boot into BIOS. Otherwise, you may have to make a cd and flash your BIOS. There really should be support if there's no ps/2 on the motherboard.

I can't see the options being available in windows, but I suppose it won't hurt having a poke around power-settings, keyboard..

Where did you get the PC from or did you build it?

It's a Dell PC, I presumed vista was causing the problems seeing as it frequently refuses to bootup(I actually still have my old tower set up next to it and am currently using it due to this very problem). Thing is I've always gone into the BIOS on bootup via the del(or alternative) key and don't know any other ways of getting there, and I can't get into the BIOS on startup as the USB keyboard input isn't being registered, catch 22 unless there's another way. Definately no PS/2 slots as I can't use my old keyboard with it.
Very concerning. :(

Update: Managed to solve the USB problem by borrowing an older USB keyboard without the multimedia functions, so I should be ok once I get an adapter for my old PS/2 one. Now I can at least see if I can persuade vista to boot. Must make a complaint to dell though, they shouldn't be sending these keyboards out.:bugeye:

Must make a complaint to dell though, they shouldn't be sending these keyboards out.:bugeye:
Are you sure it wasnt that cup of coffee you spilled all over it?

You have Vista :o

Update: Managed to solve the USB problem by borrowing an older USB keyboard without the multimedia functions, so I should be ok once I get an adapter for my old PS/2 one. Now I can at least see if I can persuade vista to boot. Must make a complaint to dell though, they shouldn't be sending these keyboards out.:bugeye:

That's pretty outrageous, on dell's part. You should try to screw some money out of them or a free monitor upgrade. If you have any friends who are PC techs, get them to make up a little invoice for troubleshooting your pc - say $100. Or make one yourself, print it and photocopy it. Send it in to dell. It's worth a go isn't it? :):shrug:

Are you sure it wasnt that cup of coffee you spilled all over it?

Haha, I actually don't like coffee.:)
It's a shame, it's not a bad keyboard, drivers were all updated, but no input until the boot was over, can't explain it myself, perhaps some issues with vista compatibility.
I personally wouldn't be shocked to find out vista is entirely to blame, but hopefully I can fix this thing now.:)