[net.micro.pc] MS DOS crashes on random keyboar

alexande@drivax (04/30/86)

Subject: Re: MS DOS crashes on random keyboard in

In article <23900016@siemens.UUCP> jrv@siemens.UUCP writes:
>One very frustrating way to hang the system is to accidently request
>a screen dump or logging of output to the printer when there is no
>printer connected to the system. Control or Alt print-screen will do
>this. One way to prevent stop the ystem form hanging is to map the print
>screen interrupt, interrupt 5, to a do nothing routine or a routine 
>which will test for presence of the printer before continuing.

If you have a printer port but no printer, use a paper clip
to connect pins 11 and 23 on the port.  This connects the BUSY* input
to ground, so attempts to use the printer will not hang the system.
I did this after my toddler son banged on the PrtSc key a few too
many times.  Here's how the port looks (* indicates the pins that
should be connected):

      13			 1
	o o * o o o o o o o o o o 
	 o o * o o o o o o o o o
       25			14

--
#include "disclaimer.h"
#include "quote.h"
-- Mark Alexander   {ihnp4,mot,ucscc,ucbvax!hplabs!amdahl} !drivax!alexande
-- 
--
#include "disclaimer.h"
#include "quote.h"
-- Mark Alexander   {ihnp4,mot,ucscc,ucbvax!hplabs!amdahl} !drivax!alexande