PC stops responding to CP

[Joezero]

I have an XP machine running Mame which is connected through a keywiz Eco. I recently switched out the floppy disk drive for a second HD and added an old video card I had so that I could send a mirrored signal to my tv. After I reconnected everything, the computer no longer responds to the keywiz. I switched the ps/2 cable over to another PC and all the inputs respond normally in notepad. Switched it back to the original machine and nothing. Thinking that I might have damaged the ps/2 port, I picked up a USB/ps/2 adapter to test it. I should note that I have a wireless USB keyboard/mouse that is already connected to this computer for system maintenance and configuration which has not had any issues.

After I connected the adapter, still nothing, then after a few restarts, it started to work. I pushed the cabinet back into position and went to play a game only to find that it isn't recognizing the CP again. I've checked the bios and can't seem to find anything awry, but it's been so long that I've actually had to go into that level of configuration that I'm not sure I'd know what I was looking for. I'm assuming that since the CP works fine on another PC that this is either a config or hardware error on the Mame PC?  Any ideas?  Thanks!

[lilshawn]

I would try disabling things you don't need in the BIOS. Sounds like some resources are getting shared and its causing a hang until it times out.

Example... A sound card and a modem that shares an IRQ will hang playing audio for a second while the computer interrupts to communicate with the modem to dial out.

Disabling things like extra com ports and the lpt printer port or even the network port (provided they aren't being used in your current configuration) will free up some of those resources. Windows will then shuffle things around to eliminate any shared resources. Although sometimes you have to go in and do it manually.

[Joezero]

That did it, the CP is now working again in the ps/2 port! 

[lilshawn]

 

stupid computer designers... we will never need more than 8 IRQs.... we will never need more than 640kb of RAM.... we will never need anything faster than 10mhz 

[Joezero]

stupid computer designers... we will never need more than 8 IRQs.... we will never need more than 640kb of RAM.... we will never need anything faster than 10mhz 

We will never need four digits for the year... 

Thanks again for the help!