T40p and USB Keyboard

Message

askew · #1 Post by **askew** » Mon May 31, 2004 12:56 pm

First, let me apologize in advance for this not being a strictly T series question.

I have a T40p (2373-G3U) that I use with the IBM Mini-Dock and an IBM USB external keyboard w/ 2 USB slots.

I have the external keyboard connected to the mini-dock. I had to disassemble my home office setup for recarpeting and now the keyboard is giving me fits. Here's the problem:

I Power up the system, HDD password prompt comes up, I type the password on the ext. keyboard, nothing, no acknowledgement on screen, no previous mention of a keyboard error.

So, I move the monitor and pop the lid on the T40p, type in the password on the laptop keyboard, the password is acknowledged, the system begins booting.

When the system reachs the Win XP login I can now use the ext. keyboard for data entry.

Of course you then have to close the T40 cover sending the system into standby

, power back up and enter the Win XP password, which it lets me do on the external keyboard.

I have moved the keyboard USB through all four of the USB slots on the mini-dock with the same result. If I unplug the keyboard USB from the mini-dock and plug it into either of the laptop USB's, no problem, normal bootup.

It seems to me that the mini-dock USB's are not getting power until after the HDD password is entered. But why now? I've been running this same setup since Feb. without a problem

.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any words of wisdom.

awolfe63 · #2 Post by **awolfe63** » Mon May 31, 2004 1:05 pm

Well - I can't solve all of your problems - but there is a BIOS option to not sleep when closed. I use that.

Also - I use a USB keyboard through a PS/2-USB adapter (connected to the KB port). Seems to avoid the problem.

cynic · #3 Post by **cynic** » Mon May 31, 2004 3:26 pm

awolfe63 wrote:Well - I can't solve all of your problems - but there is a BIOS option to not sleep when closed. I use that.

Also - I use a USB keyboard through a PS/2-USB adapter (connected to the KB port). Seems to avoid the problem.

You don't have to do it from the BIOS. Just go into Windows Control Panel>Power Options>"Advanced" Tab>"Power Buttons" Section>Swtich the top one to "Do Nothing"

It'll continue running top down (and don't worry about heat, etc.; I've been doing this on my T40p for over a year now)

Can't help with the mini-dock problem (don't have one.)

askew · #4 Post by **askew** » Mon May 31, 2004 7:18 pm

awolfe63 & cynic;

Thanks for your offered solutions, but I need to clarify.

The T40 going to standby when I close the lid is what I want it to do under normal circumstances. The problem is that because the external keyboard does not work at boot up, I'm forced to open the laptop, enter my HDD password on the laptop keyboard and wait for the system to finish booting. At that point the external keyboard has begun to work and therefore I shut the lid to go about my business. This causes the standby, which I expect. Bringing the system out of standby is just an annoying extra step related to the external keyboard situation.