Issues with USB Ports and Mouse/Keyboard

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 yodela wrote:

Hello everyone, 

I recently purchased the Asrock Fatal1ty 170 K4, which has lived up to my expectations in all but one area. There has been what seems to be a compatibility issue with the USB ports that I hope someone can help me solve. 

Installing Windows using this motherboard was problematic because no ODD meant I needed to use a bootable USB. However, I encountered issues quickly because the mouse and keyboard I am/was using (logitech g502 and g710) were not recognized in Windows despite being plugged in to USB 2.0 ports. Eventually, I happened upon an asrock software tool that bundled the drivers necessary for windows to recognize the USB ports on the MoBo into the windows iso. In any case, that tool solved my problem. 

Now, however, I have reached the GUI for Windows and am experiencing problems with the ports. To put it simply, the keyboard and mouse are recognized, but seem to only be recognized as PS2 devices. What this means is that, when downloading the Logitech Drivers/Software for these devices, they are not recognized, so a number of special keys that are programmable individually through this software are rendered useless. 

You may be thinking, sounds like a problem with the driver. But, I plugged in the keyboard and mouse into another comp running the same OS, meaning that the only changed variable was the USB ports, and the software recognized both devices. 

Coupled with the trouble with USB ports that I mentioned when installing windows, this has led to the conclusion that some problem is occurring with the USB ports. 

Also, within BIOS, I have tried a number of different variations of the USB configuration settings. In my version of BIOS, the options are enabling legacy support and emulating PS2 ports. The only configuration that has worked at all is having Legacy support enabled (as opposed to disabled, UEFI only, and Auto), and having PS2 support enabled. Without these settings, I have to reset BIOS using the CMOS battery or the jumper because the keyboard won't even work to get me in to BIOS. 

So, to summarize, there is an issue with these USB ports or settings that causes the keyboard and mouse not to be recognized by the Logitech software. Clearly, the software is not the issue due to the fact that it was the controlled variable i.e. when I changed to other hardware the software worked. However, the existence of the asrock tool to install windows with the driver bundled and my test with other hardware makes me certain that this hardware or the software in BIOS is causing problems. Any help is appreciated, sorry about the novel, thanks in advance.

First, you have the Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming K4 board is that right? I assume that is correct.

You did not mention this in your post above, but what version of Windows are you using? Given your description of your Windows installation problem, I'm confident you are using Windows 7.

But I'd like to verify that before going any further.

Regarding your comment about the other mother board you tried with your keyboard and mouse, which then worked, and "... the only changed variable was the USB ports...".

That statement is only true if the other mother board you tested on, also had an Intel 100 series chipset, like your Fatal1ty Z170 K4's Z170 chipset. The situation with the USB ports and Windows 7 only exists with the new Intel 100 series chipsets. There are also other potential variables, one being related to the USB driver used with the tool you mentioned above.

The issue with the USB ports and Windows 7 is not very well known, or at least not advertised by Intel, and is unique to the Intel 100 series chipsets, like the one used on your board. I imagine this... situation will continue with newer Intel chipsets in the future. It is not unique to ASRock mother boards, all mother board manufactures have the honor of dealing with this situation, created by Intel, with a little fault on Microsoft too.

Ahh, the wonderful Logitech driver/software that needs to run (auto runs when the OS starts) in order for all the keyboard and/or mouse features to work. I know it all too well, and find it annoying enough that I refuse to use their products most of the time. But that is simply my opinion on the matter.

I have a feeling I basically know what is going on, but I'd like to know if you really are using Windows 7. The version of the Logitech software that you use is for Windows 7? Or is it a one driver fits all (most) Windows versions?