#Flashing CapsLock key
6 messages in this thread
(Geez, ANOTHER problem?)
The other day I booted up my 500 with a workbench disk I had been
playing on and got a keyboard lock– couldn't get anything I typed to
appear (or have any effect). Also noticed my CapsLock key was flashing. I
rebooted with a different disk, had no problem, and dismissed it as
managing to really mess with the start-up sequence.
Today my fiance reports that he tried to boot up twice and both
times hit the same problem– no typing, no clicking, nothing. He said the
capskey was flashing the first time and stayed on the second. He shut down
and didn't want to try anything else, and I haven't gotten home yet to give
it a try myself, but methinks I smell a trend here.
Any ideas on what's going on? It's a 500– no hard drive, boots up
from disk and this has happened on 3 different disks now.
Thanks! –Beth
The Amiga has a dedicated processor (I think it's a 6802) to handle the
keyboard. Upon powerup, the 6802(?) runs a diagnostic on the keyboard.
While the diagnostic is running, you'll notice that the CAPS LOCK light
will light.
If the diagnostic runs with no errors, the CALS LOCK light will go out. If
a keyboard malfunction is detected, the light will flash; if the error is
extreme, the light may just stay on.
Your problem, Beth, is that something in your keyboard has given up the
ghost. Do you have a shag carpet in the room where you use your Amy?
Could be it got the static shock of its life. My guess is, if the light is
staying on sometimes, the keyboard processor isn't completing the
diagnostics sometimes – could be a problem with the keyboard processor. If
you can't do it yourself, have your local Commodore service facility
replace the processor, and/or figure out why your keyboard's gone south for
the winter.
Hope this helps… -Bill.
Beth,
That capslock key does flash during startup if it is having problems
communicating with the computer. I once wrote an article about it for
Transactor, and I found the information in the back of the hardware manual,
but I simply cannot recall the sequence and my notes are not handy. The
number of blinks indicates a particular kind of problem, and would be a
clue to a technician who was going to fix the computer for you.
Betty
Beth,
I've been battling the same problem for awhile now with my 500. It seems
to come and go and as crazy as it sounds I think it occurs whenever the
weather conditions are real dry! Maybe some connection with static
eledtricity levels? I'm finally to the point where I'm so frustrated with
it I'm taking the thing to a shop in Los Angeles. In the meantime please
let me know if you solve the problem. I'll let you know what the tech in
LA says.
Thanks, Mark
Well, after letting the thing set for a day I was just starting to
disconnect my beloved Amy to take her to the hospital when I thought "Heck,
I'll try turning it on one more time." Works fine. Natch. The light stayed
on one more time, around the third time I tried rebooting it, and ever
since then nary a problem. Thank the computer gods.
Thanks for the suggestions, all– I've gone on an anti-static shopping
hunt, as that seems to be the consensus for the cause of this little
bedevilment. Anyone have any favorite anti-static products that seems to do
the trick?
–Beth
Beth,
Static Guard (the clothes stuff) on the floor for about 3' in all
directions from your computer. Works Great! Re-do it about every 6
months.
Don