I don't think it's the keyboard not being detected when the external is plugged in, it works in windows after it boots up.
And no, the external is USB 2.0. It's quite old now.

I'm wary of updating BIOS's...just cos I've never done it. and I've heard of people bricking their mobo doing so.
And this came pre overclocked so I'm not sure if I updated the BIOS would I lose my overclocked profile.