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# err wot?
USB keyboards do F keys just fine on start up. I know that for a fact because A. I'm a computer guy and B. I built a machine just last night with a USB keyb and had to make changes in the BIOS.
(I helped save b3ta! Ratsta, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:27, archived)
# BIOS. yes.
*nods sagely*
(I helped save b3ta! mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:28, archived)
# cheers for that
i know nothing of these things, bugger wouldn't work when i plugged it into the keyboard socket thing with the little adaptor, i'll fix it on my next start up, what could possibly go wrong.
(I helped save b3ta! god save the queen making another unremarkable comeback, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:32, archived)
# USB works fine at boot level with any PC made in the last 10 years.
Some keyboards have an F-lock button that you need to push before it'll send F keys.
(I helped save b3ta! Ratsta, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:39, archived)
# all my keyboards need
the Function key deployed at every boot for the F keys to work as normal otherwise they default to the keyboards built in alt functions.
(I helped save b3ta! Pasanonic 's been known to cause insanity in laboratory mice, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:43, archived)
# that's because they're shitty microsoft keyboards or imitations thereof
MS, in their infinite wisdom, decided that people didn't really use the F keys and would be better off with buttons that trigger Outlook Express instead.
(I helped save b3ta! Ratsta, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 23:20, archived)
# Some USB keyboards
don't work from first time and need to be plugged in for the OS to find them and install and run drivers then often require a reboot.

My cheapass wireless gaming keyboard runs immediately on plugin. my hugely expensive Microsoft Office wireless keyboard and mouse refuses to do anything unless you have installed the software for it, which is a bit shit if you don't have a spare KB handy to install the software prior to plugging in the wireless receiver.
(I helped save b3ta! Pasanonic 's been known to cause insanity in laboratory mice, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:40, archived)
# it's given me a few probs despite the software
i get round it by having 2 keyboards plugged in one usb and my old one plugged in the other little keyboard socket.
(I helped save b3ta! god save the queen making another unremarkable comeback, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 22:44, archived)
# ahsally
Any modern motherboard has BIOS support for USB keyboards and they work to mod the configs. If you want them to work after that (eg to install windows from a CD), you need to go into the BIOS and turn on "usb legacy support".

Inside Windows is a different matter of course.

Rule #1, Microsoft software is bloated, shitty and non-standard enough. NEVER buy MS hardware!
(I helped save b3ta! Ratsta, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 23:22, archived)