Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 doesn't work

I recently purchased a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 to
use at work (on a Dell Dimension 2400 PC). I followed the
instrunctions and tried to install it, and it does not work. A pop-up
appears when I plug it in, but after trying to find drivers (on the
net, and locally) it ends with a "could not install" message, saying
it could not find the drivers. It also seems to have left a ghost "USB
Device" floating around in my Device Manager.

Microsoft products not being compatible? Inconceivable!

I've tried the following:

Looked in BIOS on boot for some USB options that I need to set. None
found. USB is on, and that is about the only BIOS option.

Deleted all of my USB devices and hubs, rebooted, reinstalled them,
and tried again. No luck.

Installed the latest Intellesence pro (5.3) software package off the
web, then installed the keyboard.

Installed the keyboard, and tried to specify the Intellesence CD as
the place to get drivers from (didn't work)

Searched Dell's website for motherboard or USB driver updates (none
found that looked relevant)

Can anyone help me out here? Has anyone else run into this problem?

In my BIOS, after enabling the USB ports, I set 'USB legacy support'.
However I don't think that's really necessary for Windows; the Windows
drivers should manage the keyboard.

The driver I have installed is IntelliType Pro 5.30.606.0, not
Intellisence.

I didn't encounter any problems when installing.

I'm experiencing this exact same thing. I've pulled (what little)
hair I have out trying to solve it. To avoid suggestions, here's what
I've done:

- Tried IntelliType Pro 5.2, 5.5, and 6.x software versions...every
time a "driver is not installed" for the device is what I'm left with
in Device Manager
- Delete all keys from the following registry trees:

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB

- Tried connecting the keyboard via a PS/2 port
- Tried clearing the contents of "C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Repository"
and rebooting

Every other USB or PS/2 keyboard I connect works just fine. The
change on this system was a motherboard replacement. It was
unobtrusive enough that even a "Repair" of Windows XP SP2 (32-bit) was
unnecessary. It booted the first time, and, I've already uninstalled/
installed the new motherboard drivers...

To clarify, to avoid repeat suggestions...sorry, I'd love non-repeat
suggestions! ;-)

in addition to all those things, here are some other things ive done:

1) tried the keyboard on another XP based computer. it works on that
computer.

2) plugged other hardware into that USB port. they work just fine.

BTW - im using an MSI P6N Platinum mobo (nvidia 650i chipset w/ BIOS 1.2)
and XP Pro. also, some folks at a tech forum i frequent have told me this
keyboard WILL NOT work in a PS/2 port at all. thats why it doesnt come with
a USB >> PS/2 adaptor, but i have no way to check that.

I have tried using it with a USB -> PS/2 adapter, and, they are
correct...it will not work that way. I should point out the following
additional info:

- This keyboard works on other computers
- Other Microsoft Natural 4000 keyboards plugged into this particular
computer also do not work, but literally every other keyboard does

It sounds like a bad driver cache (or driver pointer), but, I'm at a
loss as to where to look next. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm simply astonished at how crappy the keyboard (and/or the OS)
is...and, this isn't my first time using a computer by any stretch of
the imagination...

I've never found a resolution to the issue. I'll likely just end up
reinstalling Windows for my user that is having the problem...
In my wildest nightmares I would never have imagined needing to
reinstall an OS to make a keyboard work.

Would be nice if we knew what you were referring to, rather than having
to deduce it from your message.

I was having the same problem, first delete any keyboard software that might be on your computer, I had logitech's set point software on my computer, then I restarted. When the little "found new hardware" popped up, I put in the CD came with the keyboard. When that pops up all you have to do is stick the CD in the computer, don't press next, let the computer do its thing. After that it worked great!

Would also be polite if Mike used a decent newsreader that is geared to
posting messages rather than for yanking binaries. Look at the raw
source of his post. One big overly long line. Whatever newsreader he
is using to post his message, it sucks.

I am having the same problem and I have also tried everything that has been mentioned in the post - no luck.
Did anybody come up with any new solutions?

THanks!

Same problem as what? Since you made a new post but neglected to include any
details about the issue or your computer, no one can help you. Please
review the information at the following links. Then post back with all
relevant details to help us help you:

How to Post:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question
- How Not to Get Technical Help on

New solutions are posted all the time, in response to posts that
actually state what the problem is.

Don't you think it might help if you were to actually tell us what
kind of problem(s) you're having? Or should we just guess and toss
random answers your way?

No one can help if you don't provide at least a modicum of
pertinent information.
.

Yes of course:

First don't top-post

Secondly set the chars to about 72 at the most.

Third: Configure the sorry excuse for a news-reader you use
so that it *quotes* text you're replying. AT least it gave me
the *references ID*.....

So for all who wondered *what* his problem is/was:

I liked the vodka solution, although my first choice would have been gin.

Are you connecting the '4000' via USB or porting it through a USB to PS/2
adapter?

I get the impression that the problem lies with the USB port..

[lord02]

First of all I want to point out that I have a massive experience in hardware/software ( tech-guy ) ... but I'm having this really weird problem !
I'm unable to install the drivers for the Ergo 4000 keyboard on my Windows XP Sp3 machine. I've tried various other machines and it's working properly on them ( both XP and Vista machines ) so the keyboard is NOT faulty.
My computer detects the keyboard but is UNABLE to install the drivers ( I've also installed the IntelliPro 6.3 ). I've also extracted your IntelliPro 6.3 installer ( using Winrar ) and tried browsing for the .INF to manually install the keyboard, but Windows XP won't accept the driver!
The keyboard appears as "yellow" under the device manager. I can use the keyboard in the BIOS ( in startup ) so this is definetly some Win/Mouse problem. I've also tried uninstalling every mouse/keyboard software like SetPoint ( from Logitech ). I saw there were some issues with the SetPoint software, Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 doesn't work but I've already uninstalled it.
I'm wondering if this could be related to some registry problem ???
I've tried various USB-slots on my machine and the keyboard is always detected as:
"Natural(r) Ergonomic Keyboard 4000" <--- this is exacly what the text says ... and it asks for "Install the software automatically ( Recommended )" or the "Install from a list of specific location ( Advanced )" and like I said, I've tried both, without success! It simply won't install the drivers and says: "Cannot install this Hardware" and I can check the "Don't prompt me again to install this software".
I've also tried installing manually a keyboard and browsing to the .inf file but it won't accept it ( says it can't find the drivers needed ). This is actually weird, because first of all I would only need the IntelliPoint 6.3 if I wanted to use the special features of the keyboard ( which of course I also want ) but they should not be necessary to install the keyboard itself !
I'll attach some screenshots so you guys can help me identify the problem !
I currently have an old version of the Natural Keyboard connected now ( PS/2 ) but I've also tried unplugging that and only plugging the Ergo 4000 ... no luck either. Always the same .... it can't locate the drivers. I also have Logitech MX510 mouse conntected ( with USB ).

I'm using the USB connector ... there is no PS/2 connector on it

I've also updated to the latest BIOS and chipset for the mobo ...
I'm currently using the Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard, which works 100% ( and is correctly detected ) but the Ergo 4000 is unable to install ( won't install the drivers for it ... although I browse to the correct .INF, for intellipoint pro 6.3 or put the v6.2 installation-CD that came with the keyboard! ).
But I found out one weird thing ... the old Natural Keyboard Pro which has Ps/2 and USB ports, ONLY works with the ps/2 connector, it doesn't work with the USB port!

I'm tried restoring the XP machine back in time ... and even got the .SYS files from a friends who has the Ergo 4000 keyboard, copied it to C:\winNT\system32\drivers and rebootet, with no luck either!

One weird thing I've noticed about this issue is that the keyboard is always detected as USB\VID_045E&PID_00D ..... instead of HID\VID_045E&PID_00DB&MI_00 which it is supposed to do !!!
( HID stands for human interface device )

The problem is that my computer is not accepting the keyboard as a HID device !!! Why I don't know ?!
( if you look in the type32.inf file which comes with IntelliPro 6.3, you see it's specified as a HID device )

Did you uninstall any old version of Intellitype that may be on your
computer? I had a problem with installing my new keyboard until I
uninstalled, then rebooted and then I had no more problems.