Comments for Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Comment from Bonie Sevilleno on 2008-07-14

2008-07-14T12:50:35Z

I could not use my ps2 for both my keyboard and mouse but if I use usb keyboard and mouse it work okay. What's y problem?

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

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Comment from Doug Hagan on 2008-06-20

2008-06-20T10:33:47Z

My wireless USB keyboard would NOT allow SpinRite to function; I had to return to the PS2. GRC staff did suggest altering the BIOS, but this machine is only about 4 years old (Dell Dimension 4550) so I figured it ought to work. Nope. I found it easier to use the wired, non-USB keyboard, do Spin Rite, then go back to my wireless USB (although I haven't gone back....still plugging along with my wired PS2---out of laziness I suppose). GRC staff’s actual response to my problem may be of interest:

QUOTE SpinRite normally uses the built-in motherboard BIOS to handle all its keystrokes. But in order to get the "on-the-fly" screen switching and the multi-tasking effect under DOS -- while SpinRite is actually running -- SpinRite accesses the system's keyboard hardware directly instead of through the BIOS.

Frankly, what's amazing is that you're a part of a very small few who is having any trouble like this. SpinRite has always worked this way . . . so it must be that MOST systems are able to "simulate" the operation of the keyboard's hardware, even though it's a USB keyboard and NOTHING like an original serial keyboard. CLOSE QUOTES

Cheers from the Nation's Heartland, now a very wet heart.

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Lie on 2008-06-19

2008-06-19T17:31:21Z

The advantage of using USB keyboard/Mouse is it's hot pluggable. With a PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse, you've got to restart the computer before the keyboard would work, with USB keyboard, you just plug it and it'll work instantly.

This might seem silly reason, unless you're using a laptop and you have some apps that you just can't work with a touchpad (most fast-paced game, image editing software, 3D Modelling, etc)

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Leo on 2008-06-18

2008-06-18T21:35:54Z

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In my case, the USB keyboard was wireless.

Frequently people get nice new USB keyboards with form
factors or features they prefer, and put the old dusty
crusty PS2 keyboard aside.

Leo

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from vincent on 2008-06-17

2008-06-17T19:57:23Z

what then is the advantage of having a usb keyboard on an older machine, I wonder? Why not simply use a ps2 keyboard for all your work? unless you want all the fancy multimedia buttons etc...

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Ben on 2008-06-17

2008-06-17T13:21:04Z

Shortly after reading your article, I came across a question posted on Yahoo! Answers. The asker said he was using XP and had 3 accounts. His USB keyboard worked with 2 of the accounts but not with the 3rd (which is apparently a limited account.) So that got me thinking... does the type of account have a bearing on whether or not a USB keyboard - or any other USB device - will work? Is this a problem with only XP or could it be a problem with Vista?

The link to the question on Yahoo! Answers was almost 200 characters long so I created this Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/5t4dj6

If it doesn't work, could you search on Yahoo! Answers for the question: "Very moody keyboard" and offer your expert opinion? Thanks.

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A comment on: Will my Windows XP computer work with a USB keyboard?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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