Problem with USB keyboard and getting into BIOS and Set-Up

[jaxager]

Hello everyone. I am having a rather unique problem, I think. I have a Dell XPS 400. It has no PS2 connections, only USB. Well, my USB's that are part of the motherboard went out a couple of months ago. I got two USB PCI cards to make up for the motherboard's USB ports. The problem with this is that the keyboard does not become active while plugged into the PCI USB's until the PC is well into the boot-up process. This means that I cannot go into BIOS settings since the keyboard misses the opportunity to press the F12 button. I HAVE TO GET INTO BIOS NOW!!! Any ideas, anybody?

 

[Tim]

Do your front usb ports work??

 

[Hefemeister]

Are there any unused and potentially working usb headers on the motherboard?

 

[jaxager]

All of the headers are used. Good idea, though. Thanks

 

[jaxager]

No, the fronts are not working, either.

 

[jaxager]

I want to install a PCI ps2 card in the system, but I am concerned that this will do the same thing as the USB PCI cards do, which is not becoming active until after the couple of seconds you have to press f12 for set-up has passed.

 

[C0RR0SIVE]

Chances are they won't become active.... Ever thought about looking at the board to see if there are any blown caps or anything that would cause the ports to die?