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Startup problem

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11 replies

by computab

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When this PC starts, as it runs the BIOS checks, it gives an error message,'Keyboard is locked out - unlock the key'. Award Modular BIOSv4.51PC. This is a 1998 PC clone with Windows 95 upgraded to Windows 98. I have tried every reasonable key combination to unlock the key. None of the keys work, even F1 or Del to access the BIOS. this was caused by me connecting a CD-writer. Now even with both CDROM & writer, hard disk, keyboard & mouse disconnected it will not startup. HELP!

11 replies

by bobho

A couple of things to look at:

1 - check the keyboard lock jumpers on the motherboard to make sure that they are not connected by mistake.

2 - change the cmos battery. If it's getting low it can cause this problem.

Let us know what happens.

DrBob:>)

by computab

I removed the CMOS battery for 24 hours and fitted a new one. It starts with the usual BIOS message, testing processor (200MHz), RAM - (49152k), and with or without hard disk connected,:
Conflict I/O ports 2F8
CMOS checksumm error - defaults loaded

But the keyboard is still locked, Thanks for your help.

by cg it

I've seen this on old server machines where there is a push switch on the computer case that locks out the keyboard, but I haven't heard of this feature on newer PC's. Also, some security anti-theft BIOS software will lockout the keyboard effectively making the computer useless. You might want to try using the clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard, [making sure after you change the jumper, you put it back in the safe position.

by computab

Yes I need to reset the BIOS, there is no keyboard lock/unlock jumper on the motherboard. I am trying to locate the motherboard manual, its a AB-PR5. Will search the internet. Thanks for your help.

by computab

Yes thanks for your help and thanks for your prompt reply.
The problem was that the lock appears to be locked, but nobody has a key, so when I disconected it the problem was solved.

by rcom

Does the case have an actual key and lock? If so is it turned to the locked position. Disconnect the keylock cable from it's jumper. It's located where the jumpers for internal speaker, power & hard drive lights, reset etc are connected to the mother board. This cluster of jumpers will have the colored wires coming down from where the power switch is.

If you look close the names or initials for the different jumpers are stenciled on the board.

SPKR, HD, RS, PW, Klock or something simular to these.

The error about the com port is because there's a modem in the computer that's using 2F8 and now that the COMOS has been reset there's a conflict. Once you get into the CMOS disable whichever serial (com) port is using this interupt (IRQ) the default 2F8 is com2.

by int

try connecting a usb keyboard to the mainboard
or reset the bios

make sure u didn't connect the keyboard on the mouse ps/2

if this doesn't work, yr mainboard is defective

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