Does Linux have a CMOS Setup Application, possibly from a LiveCD?

[djgoku]

On undefined, Leo Mauler <webgiant at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I've got a PIII-1Ghz system which I'd like to use
>  until it dies.  Right now it works fine, except that
>  the rear PS/2 ports seem not to work.  This is a
>  recent development, as the computer worked fine with a
>  PS/2 keyboard and mouse up until I moved it from the
>  basement office into the living room (I just acquired
>  a used TV with a VGA port on the back).
>
>  I'm using it right now to type this message because
>  when the motherboard gets past the point where I can
>  use CMOS Setup (pressing Del), the motherboard
>  recognizes a USB keyboard and USB mouse even before an
>  OS loads.
>
>  Pressing DEL to get into the onboard CMOS Setup
>  utility does work from the USB keyboard.  However, the
>  onboard CMOS setup utility apparently only recognizes
>  a PS/2 keyboard and not a USB keyboard, because once
>  inside the CMOS utility the keyboard keys don't
>  function.  The only way out of the CMOS Setup screen
>  is the power button on the computer.
>
>  In Ye Olden Days of PC/MS/DRDOS, there were CMOS Setup
>  Utilities which could be run from special boot disks.
>  If such an application still exists, and works for
>  modern CMOSes/BIOSes, I suspect that it is the only
>  way I'm going to be able to change the system time on
>  this computer, or more to the point tell the
>  motherboard BIOS that the Legacy Keyboard option is
>  disabled.
>
>  Such a Catch-22: because the PS/2 keyboard doesn't
>  work, I can't tell the BIOS that the PS/2 keyboard
>  doesn't work, so that it should accept a USB keyboard
>  when editing CMOS so I can tell it that the PS/2
>  keyboard doesn't work.
>
>  This is really frustrating because I know every other
>  component on the system works.  I've successfully
>  installed Ubuntu Linux 7.10 without a hitch on this
>  same PC.  I just want to make some basic changes to
>  the CMOS/BIOS, but I can't until I figure out how to
>  get into CMOS Setup without a PS/2 keyboard.

What about setting up a serial console? You would need another
machine, but this would work. Just an idea, I haven't read all the way
through the email nor replies.

Jonathan