[cope]

I took out an old computer from my closet because I had some project for it. But when I tried to start it, I got the following message: "Keyboard error or no keyboard present" even thought I had one plugged in. I thought it was my keyboard cause some pin were missing on my keyboard connector, so I borrowed a keyboard and tried it. Still the same problem, so I bought a usb card and plugged in and then plugged a usb keyboard and still got the same problem. Any idea of where the problem comes from and how I could solve it?


Thanks,

Cope

[xactly]

I this happening at bootup?

Unplug the PC from the mains and hit the switch to off on the Power Supply.
Discharge yourself from any static by tocuhing the outside of the case.
Take the CMOS battery out, leave it for a minute or two and pop it back in.
BEFORE you power it back on, unplug the keyboard and and plug it back in.

[cope]

Unfortunately I followed all your instructions and it didn't work. Have any other idea?

Thanks a lot for your help,

Cope

[xactly]

Try using a different keyboard.

Is the keyboard you are trying to use USB or PS/2?

[cope]

I first used a PS/2 keyboard, then I tried another PS/2 keyboard which i borrowed and then I bought a usb card in order to plug a usb keyboard because my computer didn't had any usb port. None of the three keyboards were detected.

[philthomas]

Have a look in bios for a setting to disable the Keyboard test at boot up.

It will probably start with "Halt on" ... probably Halr on Keyboard Error"

If there isn't a setting to disable it or you are able to disable it and it still doesn't boot, you may have other issues.

[xactly]

Repeat my initial instuctions however, this time leave the battery out for a longer period of time; try leaving the battery out overnight.

Originally Posted by philthomas

Have a look in bios for a setting to disable the Keyboard test at boot up.

It will probably start with "Halt on" ... probably Halr on Keyboard Error"

If there isn't a setting to disable it or you are able to disable it and it still doesn't boot, you may have other issues.

The problem is that the PC wont continue past the POST screen which requires a key press to continue.

[cope]

My keyboard is not detected at all so i cant change anything. I have to choose to press on F1 or DEL but even though I press those key nothings happens.

[philthomas]

Hmmmmmm. .... depending on how old the motherboard is, you could try the old resistor trick.

Grab a 10khom resistor, bend the wires and insert them into pins 4 and 5 on the motherboard's PS/2 connector. This can often fool the bios into thinking a keyboard is present.

[cope]

Even thought I can fool my computer by doing this, my keyboard won't work. Thanks for the help.