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| Thread ID: 31076 | 2003-03-11 04:49:00 | Kids Given old Computer - can't get it to work !! | Jakeb (2156) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 127282 | 2003-03-11 04:49:00 | And this is 1 OLD computer. Total Peripherals. The back shows 486-25(LB) 130MB HDD, 4 MB Ram, 128k cache, VGA 1 MB TSENG LB When the kids start the computer they get this screen and no further. 1 Mb display memory AMIBIOS (c) 1992 American Megatrends Inc. 003968 kb OK WAIT CMOS System options not set CMOS Display type mismatch Keyboard is locked .... unlock it Run Setup utility Press <F1> to resume XO-1105-001292-00001111-111192-14CTV2-F Anyone any ideas on this one ?? All help appreciated. many thanks |
Jakeb (2156) | ||
| 127283 | 2003-03-11 04:54:00 | OOohhh, a PC with 4 Megs of RAM :D there's probably a key hole on the side of the PC somewhere, that needs turning with a key to unlock it AFAIK. Im not sure if the keys are one-size fits-all or not, but just try turning it with your fingers to start off with if you dont have the key itself :-) Sorry I cant be of more help Chilling_Silence |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 127284 | 2003-03-11 06:34:00 | It also looks like the CMOS battery is dead. On a PC this old it may be soldered into the motherboard, a rechargeable NiCd unit. Its unlikely to regain a charge when left powered up for a while, but remotely possible. If its a soldered in module, then you would need to remove it, replace with a 3 cell AA battery holder and 3 AA cells, would last years. If it is more modern, then the battery will be under a clip on the main motherboard and look about the size of a 10c piece. Get a replacement at your supermarket battery stand. It may only think the keyboard is locked because the CMOS ram is scrambled due to low battery. I would check it out first, as obviously the PC still wants to work. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 127285 | 2003-03-11 07:24:00 | Would a dead battery cause these errors? It's been a while but when we had one the most significant problem was the date resetting to 1/1/80 or somesuch. Setting the date fixed it. Keyholes used to be common on computers. Suggest that if you don't have a key go talk to the IT person at the kid's school and see if they have any keys floating round in a desk drawer somewhere. |
Heather P (163) | ||
| 127286 | 2003-03-11 19:17:00 | the Keys are not one size fits all, different case manufactorers have different keys, and considering its over 10years old... good luck finding a key for it!. I once found a similar computer locked up, the trick is to find the two wires running up to the lock, cut them and short them. Works fine!! - David |
DangerousDave (697) | ||
| 127287 | 2003-03-11 23:59:00 | Must be a modern one -- it's got a Rev F keyboard controller. :D 25MHz makes it a bit slow because the bus runs at 25, not 33. It's probably an SX (no FPU), too. But you can get a free DOS, and it will go. There are a lot of DOS games about still. The keyboard switch will go to a pair of pins on the MB. Either just remove the plug (for open) or put a jumper on the pins (for short). One way will work. It will almost certainly use the soldered on NiCd battery. Replace it with a 3xAA battery pack. The bad alternative would be a Dallas BIOS/battery combination. That is a a non repairable unit. :-( |
Graham L (2) | ||
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