Old Compaq Deskpro -- Can I boot w/o a keyboard?

PeterO · Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:20 am

Hello,
I've got a cluster of computers that includes a significant number of old Compaq Deskpro EN's. As of right now, all the Compaqs require a keyboard to boot successfully, which is something I'm trying to eliminate. (It's a pain to go around after a power outage with a keyboard and boot them all up.) The problem is that there is no way in the BIOS to change this; on the other machines in the cluster there is usually a "Require Keyboard on Boot" option. I've looked around on line a bunch to try and find a new BIOS, but I'm not having any luck.
Can I replace it with another BIOS? Is that feasible? I don't know much, obviously!

Thanks!
--Peter

zonxar · Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:35 am

Depending on which model of the EN series, manuals and BIOS updates (ROMPAQS) can be accessed here.

Davonz · Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:01 am

Hi,

There is a program called NO_F1.COM ( http://obvi.us/files/no_f1.com ).
It patches the bios so it doesnt require a keyboard to boot.. I have used it alot on compaq deskpro sff pc's that are used as firewalls, and works great, .