On Tuesday 24 September 2002 06:11 pm, you wrote: > 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? that I guess would depend on what you mean by "different". if what you are asking is "can I set it up so I can connect to the linuxbox thru the network without a keyboard attached to the linux box, and do all the maintanance without having to connect it, including rebooting?" the answer is yes. Would I also disconnect the video display? yes. would I plug any of those things back in while the machine was on and plugged in? no. in fact, ever since I let the smoke out of some of those little black smoke containers my first 386 Mobo by connecting the printer with the power on and the box booted. ( I guess I had touched a couple of "wrong" pins together trying to find the plugs)
By the way, where are you located? > > T > > et wrote: > I take it the obvious answer of "boot with keyboard, then disconnect it > until 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!
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