Problems booting from Win 7 DVD install disk

[oboe]

I've gone into BIOS and changed the boot order of my devices (basically set all (1st, 2nd, and 3rd boot devices) to the CDROM) but when restarting it asks me to hit any key to boot from the DVD - I have a wireless keyboard, and I think at this point the communication to the keyboard hasn't been established yet - the keys don't do anything - so it just waits a but and then boots from the harddrive.   

There is also a boot menu F12 I can select that during startup but once I'm in the menu, I cannot make any selections as the keyboard is inoperative.

Nice, huh?   Any way around this?  (I don't have another keyboard here and nearest Target/Best Buy is 30 mi away).

[1701E]

It shouldn't be the wireless, I used one for a long time and it worked fine at selecting boot and all.  It's a long shot, but is allowing USB keyboards selected in BIOS?  I know with some it will only allow PS/2 keyboards unless selected.  I've always had mine on so I haven't a clue if that is the trouble, but it's worth a shot.  Somewhere in BIOS is an option resembling: USB Keyboard Enable/Disable.

[katanaso]

It shouldn't be the wireless, I used one for a long time and it worked fine at selecting boot and all.  It's a long shot, but is allowing USB keyboards selected in BIOS?  I know with some it will only allow PS/2 keyboards unless selected.  I've always had mine on so I haven't a clue if that is the trouble, but it's worth a shot.  Somewhere in BIOS is an option resembling: USB Keyboard Enable/Disable.

Sounds like this, Oboe.  Make sure it's enabled, and look to see if the other USB entries are enabled as well.

[oboe]

The keyboard does work, it just doesn't work when I hit F12 to go to the boot menu.

[1701E]

The keyboard does work, it just doesn't work when I hit F12 to go to the boot menu.

The allowing USB keyboards option in BIOS only affects its use in certain area (like when installing W7).  It can work fine everywhere else, but unless it's enabled it will only allow PS/2 keyboards to be used when installing an OS.

[Kermit de frog]

Make sure "DVD" is on the BIOS boot list, not the "CD"

[Kermit de frog]

Make sure "DVD" is on the BIOS boot list, not the "CD"

Whoops, I was in a rush.  Please ignore my comment as it's not correct.

The above posts by others regarding enabling the USB legacy option in your BIOS sounds to be the correct solution to your problem.  This enables USB keyboards to function when Windows has not loaded the basic drivers for usb support.

[Ghosth]

Having a USB keyboard is a bit like having a padlock on the hood of your car.
You know there is stuff under there, but you can't get too it.

Same for USB keyboard and bios on a computer.
You know there is stuff in there, but in many cases it won't let you get into it.

Keep an old ps2 type keyboard around for those situations where you need to get into bios.
Or need to be able to boot from CD.

[oboe]

It shouldn't be the wireless, I used one for a long time and it worked fine at selecting boot and all.  It's a long shot, but is allowing USB keyboards selected in BIOS?  I know with some it will only allow PS/2 keyboards unless selected.  I've always had mine on so I haven't a clue if that is the trouble, but it's worth a shot.  Somewhere in BIOS is an option resembling: USB Keyboard Enable/Disablwo te.

Yep, that was it - BIOS setting to enable USB keyboard.

Thanks help all - continually impressed with the knowledge and willingness to help in this community.

Now, who knows to fly the '38 really well?!