Incredibly weird issue concerning not booting when a specific usb keyboard is connected..

Title: Troubleshooting Boot Issues When Connecting a Specific USB Keyboard to Your HP Z8 G4 Workstation

Introduction:

Encountering hardware compatibility or startup issues can be a frustrating experience, especially when they seem tied to particular peripherals. If you’re using an HP Z8 G4 workstation equipped with dual Intel Xeon Silver CPUs and experiencing boot problems solely when a specific USB keyboard is connected, you’re not alone. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the issue and suggest potential solutions to help you resolve this perplexing problem.

System Overview:

Your setup includes:
– HP Z8 G4 workstation
– Dual Intel Xeon Silver 4108 processors
– 32GB of SK Hynix ECC DDR4 RAM at 3200MHz (possibly registered modules)
– No operating system installed, indicating a pre-boot troubleshooting scenario

The Problem:

When connecting your Corsair K70 RGB wired keyboard, the system refuses to boot properly. Symptoms include:
– The system failing to POST (Power-On Self-Test)
– Occasionally waking the monitor with a black screen
– The inability to access BIOS with the Corsair keyboard connected

In contrast, connecting different keyboards — such as a Logitech G513 Carbon with Blue GX switches or even a PS/2 keyboard — allows the system to boot into BIOS without issues.

Possible Causes and Considerations:

USB Device Initialization and Security:
Some keyboards, particularly gaming models, may appear as external drives during initial connection due to bundled software, firmware updates, or manual driver installations. If the BIOS or firmware interprets this behavior as a security threat or a storage device, it might prevent booting or cause it to hang.
Power Delivery and Cable Quality:
The length and quality of the USB cable can impact power delivery. A longer or suboptimal cable might cause insufficient power to the keyboard during startup, preventing proper initialization.
BIOS Compatibility and Firmware Settings:
Certain BIOS configurations may not handle specific USB devices gracefully at startup. Enabling or disabling features like “Legacy USB Support” could influence device recognition and system boot.
Hardware Conflicts or Faulty Peripherals:
Despite attempts with different RAM kits, the primary suspect appears to be the USB keyboard itself. Defects or firmware peculiarities in the Corsair K70 may lead to startup conflicts.