Will BIOS POST without a keyboard?

[Pandamonium]

I know Windows doesn't like running headless, but shouldn't BIOS at perform a self test? I've got a semi-old Gateway (yeah, I know) computer that's totally legacy free. It's got 5 USB ports, audio ports, and VGA onboard. Since I don't have any USB keyboards handy, I tried just plugging in VGA and turning it on to see if there was any hope for resurrecting this machine. It looks like this is hopeless, but I'll have to wait until the weekend to get ahold of a USB keyboard to be certain..... unless an AT'er can enlighten me =)

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Unless it's already set in the BIOS as "Halt, except on keyboard" or "always boot" then no, you're kinda screwed.

KEYBOARD ERROR - NOT CONNECTED. PRESS F1 TO CONTINUE.

...

wtf?

- M4H

 

[Pandamonium]

Well I'm not getting ANY VGA output at all. If I power the machine on, all I see is a black screen.

 

[Varun]

We are using Dell GX270 Desktops as mini servers running Novell 6 and they boot fine with no keyboards attached. You would think there would be something in the BIOS to set so it doesn't stop booting.

 

[Maggotry]

Yes, the pc should POST without a keyboard. It may not boot, but it should POST. You should be able to get into the BIOS and disable the keyboard halt like Merc said.

Are you getting any POST codes at all?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I think I know which subtype of Gateway you're talking about (employee) - those absolutely will POST and boot keyboardless. If you're just getting a black screen, something's pooched. Try clearing CMOS as a last-ditch before going onto hardware troubleshooting (part-swapping)

- M4H