johnl@ima.UUCP (09/23/85)
We have noticed some strange problems reading from the keyboard of a Compaq
286. With some programs, if you hit num lock and scroll lock at the same
time, the system hangs completely.
After some conversation with a helpful and well-informed person at Compaq, it
turns out that there is a problem in the keyboard decoder gate array, and they
have a fix for it. If you open up your 286 and look down at the motherboard,
you can see the decoder chip next to the power supply. It should have a
sticker on it saying 102720-xxx, where xxx is the version number. If the
version is less than -004, you may have a problem. Your dealer can probably
get a replacement chip. The chip is in a socket -- it's easy to replace. I
gather the same applies to a Deskpro 286, but the chip is underneath the
diskette drive so it's harder to get to.
John Levine, Javelin Software, Cambridge MA 617-494-1400
{ decvax!cca | think | ihnp4 | cbosgd }!ima!johnl, Levine@YALE.ARPA
The opinions above are solely those of a 12 year old hacker who has broken
into my account, and not those of my employer or any other organization.