Any NAers good with old computers? Talkin' 1999.
Having issues with a Sony VAIO PCV-L400. I made a quick detailed 3 minute video here showing off the problem and context: 
Basically the BIOS is showing a 'no keyboard present error' and my fresh installation of Windows 98 First Edition is not detecting input either when it prompts me to enter the PC name.
What's weird:
-the keyboard flashes on for a second when the bios is loading up (shown in video)
-Windows 98 WILL NOT LOAD until I push any button on the keyboard, then it will light up for a second like last time
-the keyboard and mouse BOTH WORKED when I tested it on my Win98 presario laptop.
I also have the sister desktop, the PCV-L600 (basically a beefed up version of the same computer), and the keyboard and mouse don't work on there either!
Please watch the video if you have the time. Any help would be appreciated.
Basically the BIOS is showing a 'no keyboard present error' and my fresh installation of Windows 98 First Edition is not detecting input either when it prompts me to enter the PC name.
What's weird:
-the keyboard flashes on for a second when the bios is loading up (shown in video)
-Windows 98 WILL NOT LOAD until I push any button on the keyboard, then it will light up for a second like last time
-the keyboard and mouse BOTH WORKED when I tested it on my Win98 presario laptop.
I also have the sister desktop, the PCV-L600 (basically a beefed up version of the same computer), and the keyboard and mouse don't work on there either!
Please watch the video if you have the time. Any help would be appreciated.
Comments
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Oh. I see it's PS/2 with some strange pass-thru. I've never seen that.
[edit]
Oh. I see it's PS/2 with some strange pass-thru. I've never seen that.
Yea it's a weird concept that's actually pretty nicely streamlined instead of having two ps/2 cords going to the tower.
Maybe try unplugging the mouse and going only keyboard to see if thats an issue. Try cleaning the contacts on both the ps2 cords of the mouse and keyboard, same with the female on the motherboard
Only 1 PS/2 connection on the CPU is really weird and probably the issue. If the only one you have stops working then neither the keyboard or mouse will work.
Looks like SONY only wanted THAT keyboard/mouse combo to work with that CPU.
See if you can get a different normal mouse or keyboard to work.
Are the Win98 versions on the laptop the same as on the PC's?
Any bent/loose pins on the PS/2 connection(s)? In particular the CPU.
Only 1 PS/2 connection on the CPU is really weird and probably the issue. If the only one you have stops working then neither the keyboard or mouse will work.
Looks like SONY only wanted THAT keyboard/mouse combo to work with that CPU.
See if you can get a different normal mouse or keyboard to work.
Are the Win98 versions on the laptop the same as on the PC's?
Nothing bent. Opened the computer up and check the ps/2 port from the inside and it looked fine. Sony always gotta play it hard with weird design choices and their propietary tech...
I may have had a revelation...
So I checked the service manual for the PCV-L400 here: http://manualzz.com/download/19693684
It says the computer came with a DIN CONNECTION cord for the keyboard.
The cord I have been using was a PS/2 MDIN cord....could that be why the computer wasn't recognizing the cord? Becuase it's actually a DIN port?