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Can't access keyboard in DOS

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5 replies

by krystal190

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I have a Gateway PC and the only way to connect a keyboard and a mouse is through a USB. Well...the USB ports in the back of the computer has a tab broken in one of the ports thus making all three unusable. Once windows boots, then I do have access to the keyboard and the mouse through the USB ports in the front of the computer. However, I cannot access DOS mode nor my bios because there are no USB drivers that work in DOS. I thought about installing a PCI card adding a PS2 connection but am not certain if I would still have access to that in DOS. By the way, the PCI slots are smaller than standard size which would mean I would have to buy this from Gateway. Did I mention that Gateway sucks! Does anyone have any options that I can try?

5 replies

by thechas

You need to find a repair depot, and replace the bad USB connector on the motherboard.

This requires good electronics soldering skills, and should not be performed by a novice.

Alternately, you could have a repair technician remove Gateway's USB connector, and install a pair of USB ports on a card slot cover. I would think this would cost between $40 to $80 at a "good" PC shop.

Chas

by timwalsh

Is the computer by chance still under warrenty?

Take it back to Gateway!

BTW, I would hazard a guess that this was pushed as a super inexpensive computer ("Latest processor for under $700" or something similar). You are unfortunately learning(the hard way) how vendors can sell computers at such a low price (proprietary motherboards, small cases, no room for upgrades, missing features found on most other computers, etc.)

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