Project for ToasterCo is definitely coming back to life, with some urgency.
Next phase calls for dusting off a loaner PC, running Windows, with a specialty interface card installed.
Find PC: easy; already found.
Realize that it needs to be at my desk, not the workbench, so instead of plugging into the brand-new USB/VGA KVM switch I bought for the lab it needs to plug into the somewhat-newish USB/HDMI switch.
Hm. It's a business PC, so it has a DisplayPort output, not HDMI. Crudsicle. Well, I should have some manner of DisplayPort stuff around here - meanwhile, order a few adapters from Amazon, since I'm planning to repurpose some refurb business PCs for lab and office use.
Find a DisplayPort cable... and a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter. Great! Connect to the office KVM switch, select that port, turn on....
The lights indicate that power is on, but it doesn't make booting noises nor does anything turn up on the display. Not configured to use DisplayPort? Some incompatibility with my monitor, or with the switch? Try using an actual DisplayPort cable, without the switch. Figure out how to make the monitor listen to that input. Same thing, or same nothing.
Down to the basement for an older monitor. Find a suitably long VGA cable. Hook stuff up. Turn PC on.
Ah. On the VGA, if gives various BIOS errors: things missing or not connected, or maybe it's not configured right, or maybe the BIOS data-retention battery, or supercap, or whatever got all run down in the 3½ years it's been unplugged?
Says F1 to continue, F2 or F5 for other stuff. Does not respond to the keyboard.
Which... again, business PC. Has PS/2 ports. Maybe the BIOS doesn't speak USB by default? Needs a PS/2 keyboard and maybe mouse?
Have to search the barn; I should have such things in one moving box or another. Meanwhile order one of each from Amazon, for Wednesday delivery. Once again: planning to work with some business-PC refurbs, so I should be sure to have spare PS/2 stuff around.
Ah, well. Off to look for stuff.
Update: Found three, count 'em, three AT keyboards. A little too vintage. Also a pair of ¼-scale cannon wheels, various homebrew computers from the 70s and 80s, the box that probably should have the laser power meter in it, the tile saw, and various other Stuff. But nary a PS/2 peripheral. Surely I had some that were still in working order and got packed for the move... hm. But I'm probably looking for a mini keyboard, which could be better hidden; I think my last full-size PS/2 keyboard may actually have worn out.
Well, maybe during tomorrow's mostly sunny afternoon, assuming the forecast is correct, I'll do some more searching. It's getting a mite dim out there, and the lights in the barn are only over a work area, not the piles of moving boxes.
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