How to Turn Off the Keyboard in an ASUS BIOS
By Jeff Grundy
If you want to use a PC as a server or to run an application that requires little or no user interaction, creating a "headless" computer without any connected peripherals saves space and energy and helps to prevent tampering. Most computers will boot normally even with no mouse or monitor connected. However, if you attempt to boot a computer without connecting a keyboard, the BIOS usually generates an error and forces a restart. If your computer has an ASUS motherboard, though, you can disable the "Keyboard error or no keyboard detected" boot error completely and use the machine without a keyboard.
Step 1
Shut down the computer and restart it.
Step 2
Tap the "Delete" key a few times as soon as you see the ASUS logo or the initial POST screen. Wait a few seconds for the computer to display the BIOS setup menu. Enter your System Administrator password for the BIOS if prompted.
Step 3
Press the "Left" cursor key to navigate to the "Main" menu header if not already active. Press the "Down" cursor key to scroll down to the "Halt On" or "Halt On Errors" option, then press "Enter."
Step 4
Scroll down to the "All but Keyboard" value option to highlight it, then press "Enter."
Step 5
Press the "F10" key to save the BIOS changes and restart the computer. While the computer restarts, disconnect the keyboard. Disconnect the mouse and monitor as well if needed.
References
- PC Guide: BIOS Settings
- ASUS: A7V8X-X Motherboard User Guide
- ManualsLib: ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM User Manual
Tips
- ASUS motherboards based on Intel H67, P67 and a few other newer Intel chipsets do not include the "Halt on errors" option in the BIOS. With these motherboards, the BIOS will display an error message if you do not connect a keyboard. However, after about five seconds, the computer will boot normally as long as the designated boot drive functions properly and has a bootable operating system.
- If you need to make changes to the system, just connect the keyboard to the system and push the "Power" button to restart the system.
- Some, but not all, ASUS laptops include the "Halt on errors" option in the BIOS as well. Using the BIOS "Halt on errors" option can be helpful if the keyboard on an ASUS laptop fails and you need to boot the machine and navigate using the mouse only or a USB keyboard.
Warnings
- If you disconnect the keyboard, ensure that you do not need to enter a password to boot into the operating system. If you need to enter a password each time you reboot the machine, you won't be able to create a "headless" server or system without using remote administration software that simulates key strokes over the network adapter.
Writer Bio
Jeff Grundy has been writing computer-related articles and tutorials since 1995. Since that time, Grundy has written many guides to using various applications that are published on numerous how-to and tutorial sites. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.