Problem with a toshiba laptop

[__didi__]

... maybe is somebody around who knows how to handle this. I have a Toshiba 3000-100 laptop (PIII 850/128Mb/20Gb/Nvidia GForce2 Go/custom Toshiba bios basedon Phoenix bios I guess). Problem is if I press any key at any time on the damn thing, it starts beeping (no recognizable pattern , just continuous beeping) and it hangs. Also the Caps Lock led turns on (may be a POST signal? why is not appearing if I dont press any key ?). If I dont press any key at all, the computer boots with no problem and stops in the W2k login screen , waiting for me to enter password. I took the computer to toshiba service support , they billed me with 30$ for looking to the computer , and the result was they have no idea (how stupid is that ?). Is not a keyboard problem (they said they have replaced with a new one and problem is the same), I tested myself and is not a memory problem ... What can it be ? I dont know if the modified Toshiba BIOS performs any POST checkings ... I could find no reference. I assume is the motherboard (keyboard controller?), but to replace it costs me 1050 bucks (as toshiba sais) ... and I definitelly need a second solution.
... dont suggest me to attach an external keyboard .. I have only USB ports (no serial or PS2).
Please, if you have any idea let me know.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by __didi__ on 09/19/02 01:13 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[jihiggs]

well, there is deffinately some sort of hardware problem, only thing to do is find the problem and replace the offendor. you can buy usb key boards you know.

how do you shoot the devil in the back? what happens if you miss? -verbal

 

[__didi__]

yep .. I can buy it , question is can I use it ? I dont think I have legacy devices enabled for the USB ports in the BIOS settings , and unless I regain control over the native keyboard , I cannot enter BIOS !!! (damn this sucks :-(! ). A usb keyboard is 50 bucks ... I already payed 30 for nothing on this matter ...
Anyway , I need fast to move the data from the laptop hdd to another computer. Does anyone know where I can find an adapter ? or at least what kind of interface that laptop uses ? I didnt saw one similar before , hdd is a Fujitsu 20 Gb 5400 rpm for laptops.

 

[tomlow]

it sounds like a fairly new laptop. No luck under the warrenty?

 

[__didi__]

... no, I bought the laptop from some guy. It should have a stamp on it with the warranty, but it didnt. It turns out that in order to receive international warranty from toshiba (the only valid without the original warranty papers from the store) , the initial owner must explicitly request it. The laptop worked well for 5 months (and I used it about 6 hours everyday) ...