>
> I have a friend who has a p133 Digital  machine.  Was working fine
> til yesterday, It was powered down and now when trying to power back
> up i get a series of beeps... Per the manual, the beeps indicate a
> problem with the keyboard controller...... what is that and what can
> I do to fix the problem ?

The keyboard controller used to be a big "aircraft carrier" chip, usually
mounted in a socket close to the socket where the keyboard plugs in.
Check your manual, it may have a diagram identifying major components.
More and more, manufacturers are building it into the "chipset" (those
big square chips that do just about everything).

Step one: with the power off, substitute a similar, "known good",
keyboard and try to boot up the system.

If that works, repair/replace the original keyboard. (Replace is simpler,
but you might learn why it failed attempting to repair it - and it's
already broken, so you can't do much much harm to it.)

Step two: If that doesn't work, switch off, open the case, and look for a
bad socket, a blown fuse (Probably looks like a 1/4 W resistor without color
bands, and tiny print saying something like "2 A" on it.), or a loose
keyboard controller chip.  Ground yourself, at the very least, by touching
the shiny metal case of the power supply, while working inside the case.
(For ATXs, for your safety, pull the plug, too - or they can "bite".)

Pressing firmly on the keyboard controller chip may be enough to reseat it.
Thermal cycling can cause socketed chips to work loose.  You will need a
(low voltage!) continuity tester to test for trace-to-keyboard-socket and
fuse continuity.

When you "powered down" the system, did you open the case or unplug the
keyboard?  Static could have "zapped" the controller chip (sometimes
chips just die) - in which case you will have to replace it.  The old
ones can be carefully pried out of their sockets by working them loose at
first one end and then the other, a little bit at a time, using a small
screwdriver.  The newer ones that are part of a chipset are hopefully
under warranty - or you need an extractor.

Good luck!  Let us know how it works out.

Boyd Ramsay

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