Microsoft Natural keyboards, Intellitype, and the Inspiron BIOS

So, I ordered a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard the other day, and I love it. The problems began the first time I started up the computer with the keyboard (USB) plugged in. The BIOS indicator would hang at about 90%, and the entire boot process would freeze. I contacted Microsoft Support, which suggested that I uninstall the Intellitype software and drivers and reinstall in a clean boot mode. I did this, and the computer started up without a hitch in clean boot, actually, which is probably the first clue to whatever solution there may be for this. But even with the cleanly installed version of Intellitype I was still having the same problem afterwards.

So I uninstalled that, and the first reboot went off without a hitch. The keyboard was plugged in during start-up. In every subsequent reboot, however, I would have the same problem, and each time I would start my Inspiron 9300 without the keyboard plugged into a USB port, the problem would vanish.

So after doing more reading online I figured that Intellitype had messed with the innate Dell Keyboard drivers, ALPS and such. The problem was that I didn't have the special ALPS drivers installed. Still flummoxed, I decided to back up everything and reformat the hard drive, something I was due for anyway.

At present I'm re-installing, but on the first reboot between the hard drive format and Windows XP setup I had my keyboard plugged in, and the BIOS process froze again! Anybody had similar problems? I've found forum posts online that hint at similar issues, but the focus always seems to be on the ALPS drivers or on Intellitype and such. Anybody have any advice? Any settings I could change in the BIOS to allow the keyboard to load even with generic drivers? The alternative is just to unplug the keyboard before each startup and to plug it back in once Windows XP had loaded, but that just seems so silly.

Tried that, actually. I have the latest version of Intellitype, and I've even tried installing Intellitype in a clean boot environment. But I think it's becoming pretty clear that this is a BIOS conflict of some sort, because for the keyboard to cause a freeze up after a clean install of Windows XP, immediatley after the formatting of the hard drive, suggests that whatever the conflict is precludes drivers.

Doesn't change anything, and F-Lock is enabled by default on this keyboard. Heh, I really do appreciate your replies, though, guys. Getting information on this has been harder than usual.

To me the 4000 is really pretty comfortable, at times I notice that my right wrist especially feels like it's actually getting more relaxed just using it.

So this is really strange. Today my keyboard isn't giving me any problems, and there's been no change in my system since yesterday, unless you count installing all my old applications. I'm completely baffled. I did have my printer turned on when I started up today, as opposed to usual. Something's completely random, and it's throwing me off. If it starts acting up again I'll re-post, but I doubt the electronics in my BIOS or keyboard decided to alter themselves overnight.

That's what I'm thinking. And now this new fickleness that I mentioned has me even more confused.

Well, the keyboard is giving me trouble again, so I'm guessing that this is something that will happen to me 60% of the time.

I'll try fiddling with USB settings in the BIOS, although I've looked and haven't found anything that seemed like it would be terribly relevant. I should say that I've used other USB keyboards with my 9300 and had no trouble.

Funny to see the v1.0 on the back of this Ergonomic 4000. Too appropriate.

EDIT: Went back and did look at those POST settings. Good suggestion. I disabled several settings related to the keyboard, however minor, most having to do with emulation of various sorts. The first reboot after that was problem-free. That could be a fluke, but I'll let you know.