Universal Serial Bus Devices May Not Work in Safe Mode

ID: Q195241

This article discusses a Beta release of a Microsoft product. The information in this article is provided as-is and is subject to change without notice.

No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this Beta product. For information about obtaining support for a Beta release, please see the documentation included with the Beta product files, or check the Web location from which you downloaded the release.
The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

After you attempt to start your computer in safe mode by holding down the CTRL key, or by using the System Configuration utility to enable the Startup Menu, your computer may not respond to any keyboard commands, or you may receive the following error message:

Windows Mouse Support

Windows did not detect a mouse attached to a computer. You can safely attach a serial mouse now.

To attach a mouse to a PS/2 mouse port, you must first turn the computer off.


CAUSE

The issue can occur if you are using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) keyboard or mouse and your system BIOS does not support USB devices. Windows 98 and Windows 95 do not support the use of a USB keyboard or mouse in safe mode or in real mode unless the computer's BIOS supports these devices.


RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, use a standard keyboard or mouse instead of a USB keyboard or mouse.


STATUS

This behavior is by design.


MORE INFORMATION

In the case of USB input devices, in order for them to function in Safe mode, the system must have a BIOS with USB support for input devices and USB legacy mode must be enabled.

NOTE: All other USB devices are not loaded in Safe mode, unless the manufacturer requires it and provides BIOS support for that USB device in addition to input devices.

Additional query words: 98 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbhw win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000,95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 28, 1999