et:
Interesting question. I don't know the answer with Linux. I have never tried using that old a 486 in that manner: disconnecting the keyboard after boot-up, then trying to access a Linux operating system on connecting it up again. Last time I did anything like that was in the days of Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS. If I remember correctly, once disconnected, I couldn't re-establish a keyboard connection (with a BIOS not able to stop probing for one.) It's been too long for me to remember. I am assuming that Warren doesn't want to do a hard boot to gain control again. Is it different with Linux? T et wrote: I take it the obvious answer of "boot with keyboard, then disconnect it untill next boot" is not a reasonable solution? On Tuesday 24 September 2002 10:42 am, you wrote: > Warren, > > If your 80486 CMOS BIOS is that old, where it doesn't offer you the > opportunity to ignore the a missing keyboard, then that's the way it is. I > suppose someone may have devised a null plug to compensate. Late-model 486 > boards came out with this capability and that's been the case with most > motehrboards since then. > > An alternative is to shop around your local conputer stores and on-line for > a keyboard that has a cover, especially one that locks. IT's and MIS's out > there must have seen these in their monthly solicitations. Check out > Processor.com. http://www.processor.com . I have been getting their > periodical for years. Subswcription is free to those in the computer > industry. I haven't been at their site in ages, so you will have to look to > see if they have anything on-line that can help you. Most likely, a good > computer store in your area would have something like this. You could also > fashion your own locable cover. If you are gifted in that department, it > may be the simplest solution for you. > > Of course, the most cost effective answer would be to look in your local > papers for a used Pentium box. You would get the benefit of a newer system > and with more upgrade possibilities as your needs grow. > > Good luck... > > T > > > Warren Post wrote: > This is a hardware problem, not a Linux problem. But perhaps someone has > faced this problem before. > > I've amazed my friends by setting up a Linux-firewall-on-a-floppy in our > city hall on an ancient 486 that was retired ages ago. But when I try to > run it headless, it won't boot unless I plug a keyboard back in. As a > workaround I've got an old keyboard that doesn't work very well plugged > into the box, but that is both an inelegant solution and a temptation to > idle fingers. Nor is this an idle complaint: our frequent power outages > mean that the box must reboot often and reliably. > > I suspect that the problem is hardwired and the only solution is to > change the motherboard. (I see no BIOS settings that should affect the > keyboard.) But somebody prove me wrong, please. > -- Warren Post Santa Rosa de Cop�n, Honduras http://www.srcopan.vze.com/ > > > > Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? > Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com > > > > > ------------------------------------------------ > Changed your e-mail? Keep your contacts! Use this free e-mail change of > address service from Return Path. Register now! ------------------------------------------------ Changed your e-mail? Keep your contacts! Use this free e-mail change of address service from Return Path. Register now!
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
