computer question

[trumad]

Do I have to activate my USB ports.... I'm trying to install a mouse and keyboard via my USB ports and I'm not getting nada...

I'm running windows 2000 professional..

Thanks

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Do you have...

All service packs installed?

I know that with XP, USB does not work until you install SP1.

[TryingToWarnYou]

4. You are incorrect.

USB works fine with XP regardless of whether SP1 is installed or not. I should add that Ive had no problems.

To the original poster, ensure that whatever you are trying to get to work, you are not plugging into a hub, but instead the actual USB ports on the computer. Many devices have difficulty being seen by the OS through the USB hub.

If that is not an issue for you, try another USB port. Many times I have had a device not be seen by one port, but found on another.

Good luck.

[cosmicaug]

7. You're probably thinking of Windows 95.

Tandalayo_Scheisskopf wrote:

I know that with XP, USB does not work until you install SP1.

You're probably thinking of Windows 95 which didn't support USB until OSR2 (though there was an obscure update, not supported by Microsoft, which could get USB to work sometimes in the original Windows 95 release). AFAIK, USB was fully supported in Windows 98. Windows 2000 should support it also (it is supposed to be closer to Windows XP that Windows 9x --or to previous versions of NT, for that matter).

Like the other poster mentioned, there is an option in many BIOSes these days to enable or disable USB keyboards.

[trumad]

8. Bios ignorant

Get me started...Thanks

[cosmicaug]

10. Basic Input Output System

BIOS is the low level program that comes with your computer's motherboard to get it to the point where the operating system of choice can do something with it (we're talking really basic stuff like recognizing memory, the power on self test, responding to keyboard input, booting from some drive, etc.). There are usually various settings associated with tis process. Usually these settings are stored on some sort of non-volatile (meaning it doesn't go away when you take power away) memory (actually, that isn't even true, as the way it often works is that there's some memory which is powered by a battery --so that power never really goes away for the BIOS setting information). In the case of some older Compaqs (I don't know if Compaq still does this), they actually used a special partition on the hard drive to hold some of this information (as well as for some low level diagnostics).

Generally, the BIOS settings will be available by hitting some key or key combination at boot time (there usually is a message at boot time indicating how to access these settings such as, for example, "Press the <DEL> key to enter setup" --but this message can be disabled on many computers). Your computer manufacturer should have the information on how to access the BIOS. The most common way nowadays is probably to hit the <Del> key during the beginning of the boot process (often very shortly after turning it on --it can be easy sometimes to hit it too late in the boot process). Other key combinations are also possible, for instance, <F10>, <F2>, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<Enter>, hitting Reset twice, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<?>, <Ins>, <Esc>, <F1>, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<Esc>, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<S>, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<Ins> (from http://www.computing.net/faq/content9x/bios.html).

[MSgt213]

11. First check your bios. Regardless of the advice your getting bios has to

support USB natively or you will not have that support in MSDos or safe modes. If you remember there was no support in NT for USB devices. Win2000 is based on NT so when MS released it there were a number of issues with USB devices. I don't know what service packages you have or what type of USB device you have but you will need service pack 4 for USB 2.0. Once you installed any software that came with your mouse and keyboard shut down the computer and connect your keyboard and mouse then restart. You should see no keyboard erorrs if not connected properly if not and it boots into windows you need to check your system devices in the control panel to ensure the usb host adapter is installed. Good luck.

[MSgt213]

2. You enabled USB keyboard in your Bios?

[trumad]

6. How do i do that?

thanks

[MichaelHarris]

9. tru

the USB in the BIOS is probabaly turned on. Right click on My computer then choose properties, then devices look in the list for USB root hub

oops on edit 2000 right? go to my computer choose control panel then system

[MichaelHarris]

3. you installed

the keyboard and mouse software first right? rule of thumb, always install the software first before installing any USB device.

[billbuckhead]

5. Make sure you start the computer after you plug

in the keyboard and mouse. If the you plug in the keyboard and mouse after the computer is started they won't work.

[Don_G]

12. Desktop Or Notebook?

The default settings are different and works in different ways.

I had a problem with my Notebook recognizing my USB hub and everything behind it until I went in and changed a few settings in the Power Management details.