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Wireless-BIOS Problems

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by bn.gamer

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Hello all, I'm a Windows user who has decided to try and make the big leap to Open Source OS's and I have chosen Mandriva 2008 as my operating system. I did this because the rest of the os's I tried (Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, couple others) were a real pain in trying to install (all of them didn't like my video card and wouldn't display the screen) so Mandriva it is.

To my surprise I really liked the operating system, I liked the 3d effects and the speed and elegance of the machine now. But then comes the problems, I hope you guys can be much smarter than I and help fix these because I for one am flabbergasted...

Problem Number 1-The Big One:
I am unable to connect to the internet through wireless (which is my only current option). I'll list my machine specs at the bottom of this post but my NIC is recognized and the access points are recognized and come up in the little network window but whenever I click "Connect" to my network it just refuses to. It's WEP encrypted Actiontec gateway with Qwest as my ISP.

Problem Number 2-The Slightly Smaller One:
Whenever I boot up if anything is plugged into my computer other than the monitor and keyboard (ie. anything in a usb port or sound port) my keyboard doesn't respond. I also am unable to use my PS/2 mouse port at all. I think this is a problem with my BIOS but I don't know how to figure out my motherboard make (I got this computer from a relative who isn't techie and didn't keep anything like that) or how to get a different version of BIOS or even if this is a solution at all...

So, is anyone up for the challenge of being a freakin' sweet lifesaver?

Specs:
AMD Athlon 64 3500+
NV41 Nvidia Geforce 6800 GS
2 GB DDR2 RAM
US Robotics Wireless Access PCI Adapter Model 022415 (Wireless card)

9 replies

by tintoman

First I reckon it's possible that your operating system doesn't support the WEP encryption type you have set on your wireless router, so if you are able to access the router settings I would suggest that you change the encryption type WPA with passphrase and try that.

Second it seems that your operating system is not plug and play so again if you can access the CMOS settings during boot up then you can change the integrated peripheral settings to non plug and play OS
hope that helps

by bn.gamer

Ok I went into the main system (first removing everything but the keyboard) and then after boot up I plugged in everything (my mouse is USB, ps/2 mice don't work apparently...I'm thinking for the same BIOS reason) and it worked so I then went to network settings and edited my connection.

At first I could see the connection listed under the network card, then I edited to WPA and changed my psk key and everything and then it didn't connect and I could no longer see the connection.

Second, I tried to go into BIOS but my keyboard wouldn't respond once I got into there. It wouldn't turn on Num Lock or Caps Lock or anything and it wouldn't change the selection.

Maybe a second try? Thanks for your help anyway! :) ^^

by the scummy one

in the BIOS, it is not Linux that is causing the issue. It is a BIOS setting, or a bad PS/2 port, or a bad keyboard.

by bn.gamer

Probably either a bad BIOS setting or a bad port then with a very low probability on the latter since the keyboard works perfectly in the main system and I'm using it now to type.

So how do I get my BIOS back up to snuff then? Or test the port?

EDIT: Should I remove the CMOS battery? I tried that a while ago and nothing really changed (it was one of the first things I did).

EDIT EDIT: Probably should mention that this computers wireless NIC is PCI and the video card is PCIe but the motherboard also has a integrated video card as well. Maybe that has something to do with this?

by the scummy one

enable legacy USB.
Try another keyboard if available. But it might be more of a random thing, or power issue.
If you are using front ports with items, try the rear ports instead. I have had similar issues with front ports once they have been blown (power spike).

by bn.gamer

I am still unable to access the BIOS, I tried 2 other keyboards but I currently have no USB keyboards (all my current keyboards are PS/2). I only have one keyboard port, the back, and I also tried removing the video card, wireless card, and clear the CMOS all to no avail.

EDIT: Is there anyway to uninstall/reinstall my BIOS?

by the scummy one

you cannot uninstall the BIOS without unsoldering it from the MB. I do not suggest it. However, you can update it by downloading the latest patch for it and flashing it.
But Beware... If it fails while updating, or loses power, or hangs, you will need to replace the motherboard.
Also, it will require a keyboard.

Question though. How many times did you try going into the BIOS. It sounds like a random boot issue. Try totally powering down, wait 10 min, then boot back up and try the BIOS again with your current keyboard. I had a system last year that wouldnt detect a HDD if I just rebooted, but after a few minutes of being 'off' it worked fine.

by bn.gamer

I tried 3 more times today, all to no avail.
Also, still cannot change selection in BIOS but I am able to enter and manipulate the boot order which is in a different screen. The computer is a COMPAQ and oddly it still has a remnant of it's origninal Windows on it in the form of a line that appears upon boot up near the "Enter Setup" and other configuration lines. It's the system recovery line, but it doesn't work.

Also, I plugged in a PS/2 mouse and the keyboard worked upon boot up but the mouse didn't (but a usb mouse worked when I plugged it in and unplugged the ps/2 one). The mouse is an optical one though and the laser was on during the entire boot up process and in the OS.

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