BIOS and Keyboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter CJJ
  • Start date Start date
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CJJ

I have been given some old comp bits from a local school, the idea is to
build a basic machine for a local playgroup.
All going ok except I cannot access the BIOS with the keyboard. I believe I
will need to access the BIOS at some point to align all 'elements' of the
system
The machines given are quite old and have a very old type keyboard socket
and a ps2 socket, as I do not have a 'old ' socket keyboard i am trying to
use a PS2 but the system will not let me, however it does light up very
briefly during post (could it be to only allow a keyboard action when
authority is given from another networked machine?? seems reasonable in a
classroom environment).
Can I access the BIOS without the keyboard or will I have to get a hold of a
keyboard with the 'old type plug.
Can anyone help?????


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2002
 
Your local PC shop should sell the appropriate adapter for about $1 USD.
The reason your keyboard is not working (I'm guessing) is that you are
plugging it into the mouse socket :)

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CJJ stood up at show-n-tell, in
[email protected], and said:
 
CJJ said:
I have been given some old comp bits from a local school
All going ok except I cannot access the BIOS with the keyboard
Click to expand...
The machines given are quite old and have a very old type keyboard
socket and a ps2 socket, as I do not have a 'old ' socket keyboard
i am trying to use a PS2 but the system will not let me, however
it does light up very briefly during post
Click to expand...

That PS/2 port is only for the mouse, and while it's electrically
compatible with keyboards, the BIOS doesn't handle it appropriately to
allow that, so you'll need to use the large 5-pin DIN keyboard port
(with adapter plug or cable) instead of the 6-pin mini-DIN mouse port.

Running without a floppy drive installed may cause the BIOS to let you
enter the setup, or you could try one of these many sequences:

AMI BIOS:
[F1]
[Del] on bootup
[Ctrl]-

AST BIOS:
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Esc]

Award BIOS:
[F1] or [F2] on Bootup
[Del] on Bootup
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Enter]

Compaq BIOS:
[F10] on Bootup

Phoenix BIOS:
[F2]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Esc]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[R]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Ins]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Q]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[F1]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[+]
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-[-]

IBM PS1 &Value Point BIOSes:
[Ctrl]-[Alt]-

www.hardwarehell.com or www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org may have more
information about your machines.
 
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