Windows XP instalation with USB keyboard

[KISS]

Unlike Windows 7, during the initial installation process of Windows XP, USB connected keyboards are not polled whereas PS2 keyboards are.

In the case where you have a defective keyboard and the only alternative is a USB connected one, you are effectively locked out.

This particular pc is a Toshiba NB100 netbook which were known to have fragile keyboards. I use it as a net top with a USB keyboard.

In trying to resolve this problem I've found various forum discussions but no real solution.

Is there a method whereby USB keyboard drivers can be slipstreamed in?

[Ponch]

during the initial installation process of Windows XP,

...

you are effectively locked out.

at what point exactly are you locked ? entering key and such ?

[MDGx]

I've been installing Windows XP using (almost) exclusively using USB keyboards since it came out in 2001.

All XP Editions I've used:

- XP OEM RTM (2001)

- XP retail RTM Professional (2001)

- XP retail RTM Home (2001)

- XP SP1 (+ MSJVM)/SP1a (without MSJVM) (2002)

- XP SP2 (2004)

- XP SP3 (2008)

installed ok on all computers with USB keyboards I've tested this on, without the need for a PS/2 (legacy) keyboard.

The trick is to enable all USB options including legacy, boot, native/real mode, etc [they differ depending on your mobo] in the BIOS setup before installing XP.

That means your motherboard BIOS has to support USB keyboards in native/real/true DOS mode ("smart" BIOSes load a native DOS mode USB driver), and to my knowledge all modern motherboards made in the past 5 years do so.

Also, make sure your keyboard doesn't have a Function lock, F-lock or similar (proprietary) key. If it does, make sure it is *not* enabled/pressed.

FYI:

To make it easier to install XP hands-free (heavily customized) with all available/current updates, drivers, applications + tools, you could use nLite (free) + the MSFN unattended XP setup guide.

More info @ my site, including how to customize some of those steps by hand.

HTH

[KISS]

Thank you MDGx for your information and the link. Looks like I have a lot of work to do.

Again, thank you, I appreciate it.

[Ponch]

It's all already there, in MDGx's post. Can you please describe your problem "installing window xp with usb keyboard", if any ?