Noise Signals Interpreted As Keystroke During Boot Display
Article ID: 194714
Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
This article was previously published under Q194714
SUMMARY
MORE INFORMATION
Windows NT's boot option display has a feature whereby one can stop the
countdown timer by pressing a key on the keyboard other than the enter key.
The result of this action is that Windows NT will then wait indefinitely
until the user makes the preferred selection and presses the enter key to
continue loading an operating system.
Some keyboards, switch boxes, and BIOSs can mistakenly send random
electronic noise signals that NTLDR interprets as a keystroke and, thereby,
determines that the user has instructed it to not display or process the
time-out countdown.
SYMPTOMS
When Windows NT boots, it displays the boot options available in the
boot.ini.
Normal function of this display is to offer options to the user while
counting down a preset number of seconds before loading a default operating
system.
Occasionally, the display will not indicate a countdown in progress and
will not load an operating system by default but will wait indefinitely
until a user selects an operating system option and presses the enter key.
RESOLUTION
To work around this problem, upgrade the offending BIOS or attach different
keyboards or switch boxes and test for symptom recurrence.
Keywords: kbprb KB194714