Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!bbn!rochester!cornell!uw-beaver!uw-june!uw-entropy!dataio!pilchuck!ssc!markz
From: markz@ssc.UUCP (Markz Zenier)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Keyboard Lock-up
Message-ID: <1062@ssc.UUCP>
Date: 4 Mar 88 21:59:59 GMT
References: <3580004@eecs.nwu.edu>
Organization: SSC, Inc., Seattle, WA
Lines: 16
Summary: Its the keyboard

In article <3580004@eecs.nwu.edu>, vcc@eecs.nwu.edu (Guest from Vogelback) writes:
> 
> Dear Netland,
>   I have a question regarding lock-ups.  What causes the IBM PC's
> keyboard to lock-up?  Is it always caused by errors in software?  Is
> there anyway to recover from it without shutting off the computer and
> losing everything?  ...
> 	Jeff Olsen
> 	jeff@nuacc.acns.nwu.edu

 I had the problem with a Packard-Bell AT clone running Microport Unix V/AT
version 2.3.  A new keyboard fixed the lockup.  The  old keyboard would lockup
when a key was pressed and the console driver was changing the LEDs.  The timing
for data transmission is determined by the keyboard microcomputer, some are
slower than others.  The $6 fix is to get a keyboard extension cord, and
unplug the keyboard when it locks up.  The extension cord is so you don't have 
to stand on your head to get at the keyboard jack on the system unit.