Access to DOS on a QuickMaster 46DI

[JEH]

Hello, I have read lots of help that requires using a keyboard but I can't make it work. I have tried connecting a PS2 keyboard to the press using one of the PS2 ports on the back of the tower hidden under the console. It works in as far as I can use the DEL key to get into the BIOS setup (which is password protected) but I cannot make Alt-X or any other combination of keys work after a normal boot. What am I doing wrong to get into DOS?

Maybe the keyboard disabled in the BIOS? If so what is likely to be the password to go in and change that?

 

[mightyandy]

Hi Jeh,

I believe you have to use an old 5 PIN DIN style keyboard not the PS2 Port.
If you don't have one you can probably get an adapter from ebay.

The DIN port is beside the port for the serial mouse on the underside of the main console.

I've attached a picture (look how the cable goes under the control panel) and an image of a 5 pin DIN.

Andy

 

[JEH]

No keyboard port.

MightyAndy, hi and many thanks for the pictures and advice. I actually just found a PS2 to DIN adapter in my junk box! (It came with an ancient Wacom tablet that I used to have.)
The trouble is I cannot find the port for it, is it because we have the Pro press which uses a touch screen and no mouse? I see you gave similar advice in the past to 'testarossa' who has exactly the same machine and the same problem but he never came back with the result.
The operator's table is more rounded than in your picture and the underside is completely smooth and enclosed. There's just nowhere for a DIN socket to be.

 

[mightyandy]

Ok sorry Jeh, I'm using an older press than yours , I see someone replied to your post on an alternative forum though.

However I believe how your press looks for and handles ripped files is the same.

Did you make sure to use a "Cross-Over" cable to connect the QMDI and the RIP?

The cross-over cable should go directly from the QMDI to your rip without going through a switch/router.
You can identify a cross-over cable by the different wiring on each end usually the orange and green wires are reversed.

 

[mightyandy]

One other thing you can check.

Because my press is old and dos based it uses a common network protocol from the 90's called NETBEUI instead of the more common current protocol TCP/IP.
If your press still uses the NETBEUI protocol it could be disabled on one of the RIP's Network cards and not the other.
(Try swaping around the network cables in your RIP).

I haven't had any experience with your model of press but the network shares etc.. all have to be the same.

 

[JEH]

I think I am okay because from the RIP, I can see the DI has created its own workgroup in Network Neighbourhood and I can see a PC called QuickMaster. I have joined the RIP to that Workgroup and the other NIC is publishing the AppleTalk queues okay. I should have mentioned that NETBEUI is installed and the CAT5 cable goes directly to the DI without a switch so that part must be working. I'll go back to site and check over everything - I probably spelled something wrong, maybe BITMAPS instead of BITMAP.
What did you think about the suggestion to hold down the SHIFT key while booting? Even if that works I suppose I'll still need a Windows NT4 username and password to do anything.

 

[mightyandy]

The guy sounded like he knew what he was talking about, I have no experience with the pro as I'm just an operator. But I had problems first connecting our RIP to the QMDI the previous owner deleted all the shares etc...

Although once I got my head around it everything was straight forward, I was able to change to a meta dimension RIP without any issues a year down the line.

 

[mightyandy]

Also QM_RIP1 is the name the QMDI's look to by default but this can be changed in the configuration files for example, If I had 2 QMDI's and each had their own RIP I would have renamed one of the RIPs.

So there is a slight chance your presss could be looking for a RIP with a different name

(Although chances are the computer name the rip was set to when you got it is correct)

 

[JEH]

Is the DI set up to work with username = QM_PRESS1 and no password? And could I use that to log into NT4?

 

[mightyandy]

I'm not sure, I know by default that is the username used when trying to create a mapped drive to the rip. But I renamed my new Rip and user it uses to establish the connection. So my settings aren't relevant if I look them up

It can't hurt to try that though

 

[JEH]

Sincere thanks for your help Andy, I'll let you know how I get on, some sleep might help!

 

[mightyandy]

Ill let you know if anything else springs to mind.

Good luck sorting your rip,there are alot of very helpful guys here which made our install / troubleshooting successful.