26-301 Keyboard error, user causing corruption ??

[Bod29]

Hi all,

I'm hoping you can help me out here

I've got a user using Compaq Deskpro EP series machines, I had a problem with him where he restarts and I get "Keyboard error 26-301" and it won't boot, just flashes the cursor at the top left. I visited the site and couldn't for the life of me get the machine to boot, so replaced it and put it down to the machine being fairly old.

I've just had the same problem with the same user, on an EPK450, which is fairly reasonable. Problem is they are on a different site and I'm going to haev to try and talk someone non technical through trying to restore it.

Any ideas what it could be that the user us doing to create this fault, I understand that the problem relates to a corruption in the BIOS, that stops it from booting, is that right ??

Any suggestions or resolutions warmly welcomed !!!!

thanks a bunch
Roddy





Life's too short

 

[bcastner]

The problem is a keyboard error.
Does this user snack/drink at the machine?
Have them change the setting in the BIOS to halt on errors. Ask them to clean the keyboard, including turning it upside down and firmly smacking it on their laps.

 

[mainegeek]

Maybe the user is a "Hot Head" and is using his fist to press the keys?

 

[Bod29]

After trying a different keyboard, a different error occurs

this time it;s "keyboard unit error 304"

any more ideas anyone ??

Life's too short

 

[carrr]

http://www.computercraft.com/docs/pc3xx.html

 

[Bod29]

thanks carrr

so it's "304 Keyboard clock high; keyboard or system unit error "

you wouldn't also happen to know how to resolve it would you ?? ;-)

Life's too short

 

[Bod29]

there's some sites that say that if the keyboard being replaced doesn't solve the problem, then the system board requires to be replaced ????

can that be right ? the system board costs $158 with no processor :-O

I don't want to go through all the hassle of replacing it when a BIOS fiddle would sort it. Anyone know how to set the BIOS defaults if I can't get into the compaq setup menu ?

pain in the rear this is, I appreciate the advice



Life's too short

 

[carrr]

Barring a bad mobo, you could determine the make of your current board and pull down documentation from the approprite company's site.
I've heard from one camp that you can reset defaults by unplugging the pc and removing the battery for 30 seconds to a minute, but heard from another camp that this is a cruddy way to go about it.
It's probably be best to seek out documentation for your particular board.

 

[bcastner]

There are two things to consider:

1. You must use the right keyboard. It has to be fully PS/2 and Compaq compliant. Your best bet is another Compaq keyboard. Many keyboards will not work properly. Or use a USB keyboard.

2. The keyboard connector on the motherboard is a known point of failure. The only rememdy is to replace the motherboard. Before doing that, having tried #1 above, I would try and solder it. Or take it to a TV/VCR shop or computer repair site and ask them to do it.

 

[bcastner]

One last comment.

You said this user had repeatable 301 class errors on two different machines.

I think maingeek's comment above should be considered seriously.

Is the location such that the keyboard is stretched a distance from the PC? Does the user drink beverages regularly while typing?

Between a stuck keyboard message and a clock synch failure on the A20 NMI between the keyboard controller and the PIC on the motherboard, the guy is seriously abusing the keyboard.

If it was one machine, fine. But two, in short sequence?

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[mainegeek]

Hello Bod29
I agree with Bcaster on using another compaq keyboard as a test. I think you will probably find that this problem is
user related. Perhaps the user is trying to get a new PC or just taking advantage of a longer smoke break during the downtime.

 

[Bod29]

Could this happen just by the user smacking the keyboard around, or stretching the cable ??? I don't see how doing that would permanently screw up the machine, even when another keyboard is tried ??

Am I missing the point here ? (always a possibility)

thanks for the replies so far everyone !!

Life's too short