DOCUMENT:Q194714 10-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Noise Signals Interpreted As Keystroke During Boot Display PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:WinNT:3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search Version : WinNT:3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.