Accessing old desktops through newer laptops.

[Ramses II CP]

It won't be easy to get into the 3.1 machine, especially if it doesn't have an ethernet card, but it's possible. Some of those old desktops have an infrared port, which a lot of modern laptops have as well. Something to look for at least.

I don't know how damage to the monitor plug could prevent the keyboard from working, but I think the first step I'd take in that situation is to open up the case and reseat everything just in case. Most PCs won't boot up without a keyboard detected unless they've been set up specifically to allow it. Were these machines used for some kind of kiosk type service, with the keyboard locked out for security?

If that's the case you're going to have trouble accessing the bios to change the setting. The best way would be to find the bios reset jumper on your motherboard, but to do that you have to know the board's maker and find their website or a diagram of the motherboard (Or just be familiar with the mb type).

In any case, once you can type (Or have a compromise system you can live with, like copy/pasting from old documents) you can use a VNC based application like this (free) one:

http://www.tightvnc.com/

...to set up virtual control of your '98 machine. It's really easy to share files between '98 and XP so you can push the necessary software over to the '98 box, but to get VNC up and running without a keyboard is going to be tough. I've used TightVNC a few times, and it's functional but it's not exactly feature-iffic. Here's one with more features (And 3.1 support) but after a trial period it costs money, probably not what you're looking for:

http://www.netsupportmanager.com/downloads.asp

The 'key' will be getting the keyboards back working.

[KukriKhan]

Out of curiosity, which pin is broken on the VGA connector (count 1 thru 15, right-to-left, from the top (wide) end)?

If I understand correctly, the '98 machine you booted up does respond to keyboard commands (maybe; can you reboot using Ctrl+Alt+Del?), but characters are not displayed. Interesting.

[Ramses II CP]

Oh, and I just got it about where the pin is, inside the 'female' end on your PC. It's probably not in there too tight, try to grab it with some tweezers. Also if the monitor port is ruined anyway I'd start to get creative; try silly putty or squirt some WD40 in there and shake it around (If you can get the card out).

You can sometimes find old video cards just from people you know. Heck, I've got an old Voodoo2 card laying around somewhere that would probably work for you, but no way to get it to you.

[CrossLOPER]

Out of curiosity, which pin is broken on the VGA connector (count 1 thru 15, right-to-left, from the top (wide) end)?

If I understand correctly, the '98 machine you booted up does respond to keyboard commands (maybe; can you reboot using Ctrl+Alt+Del?), but characters are not displayed. Interesting.

Pin #9, Center row, 2nd from right if top is wide. This is on both machines.

Oh, and I just got it about where the pin is, inside the 'female' end on your PC. It's probably not in there too tight, try to grab it with some tweezers. Also if the monitor port is ruined anyway I'd start to get creative; try silly putty or squirt some WD40 in there and shake it around (If you can get the card out).

You can sometimes find old video cards just from people you know. Heck, I've got an old Voodoo2 card laying around somewhere that would probably work for you, but no way to get it to you.

I can't even see it in one of the computers and the other one that I do see can only be removed it I cut away at the plastic around it. That plastic was not affected at all the last time I tried to chisel away at it with a small steel razor.

[Ramses II CP]

Any further info on the keyboard problem? Your '98 machine probably has USB ports if you have a USB keyboard; that could bypass the problem if it's not a BIOS setting. Using VNC you can use your laptop keyboard to manage the '98 box, but that won't help you get to the BIOS as the machine has to be booted before VNC will run.

[CrossLOPER]

Any further info on the keyboard problem? Your '98 machine probably has USB ports if you have a USB keyboard; that could bypass the problem if it's not a BIOS setting. Using VNC you can use your laptop keyboard to manage the '98 box, but that won't help you get to the BIOS as the machine has to be booted before VNC will run.

Wow! This might actually be what I am looking for!

I'm not too worried about BIOS, but this will do for the time-being. Unfortunately, finals are but a few weeks away and I have a handful of projects I have to tend to. So I gotta get to work on that. But after December 13, I'm off!