Why did old PCs have key locks? An LGR Retrospective
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- Опубликовано: 19 мар 2017
- Retro computer cases often had a locking mechanism, complete with a key that came with the machine. But what exactly did these do, where did they come from, and why aren't they so commonplace anymore?
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● Music used in order of appearance:
"Club Noir 2," "On Your Way"
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Ram theft was a major problem up until the late 90's. I was a security guard at major company back in the 90's and one common issue was an employee complaining to the IT department that his or her her computer was slow. It turns out someone was removing half the ram and re-configuring the computer! An almost undetectable crime. RAM was around $100 a megabyte then, so the individual responsible made himself a tidy "profit"
For some extra fun, put the turbo button's wires on the key lock instead. That way you can have it on low speed, then when you want to rev it up, you get to turn a key and make engine noises with your mouth. VRRRRMM
Summer of 1988, I was an intern at IBM. One of my jobs was to help remove hard drives from old PCs that were being retired. For those with the big IBM Personal Computer Keylock Option on the side, if the key was missing, my orders were to give it a sturdy kick. Worked great! :-)
Turn the keys, press clutch and release the brake.
My dad used to lock my PC and take the key... I managed to make my own lock key using a screw driver and a Cola can opener. I used the flat opener, and made it cylindrical shape, just about the same size as the key, and just hit a knife on the tip of the cylinder for the bump. And i unlocked the PC every time my dad locks it... 27 years later, never told him about this :)
When I was a kid I thought the key locks were for nukes to be launched by the librarian if we didn't bring back books that we checked out.
My grade school computer lab had old pc's with locks. It also had shag carpet and no shielding. You could rub your feet on the carpet, zap the lock with your finger and cause the computer to reboot
To those asking, yes this is a re-upload. I got several complaints about the background music being distracting, so I removed it and also took the chance to add more commentary. Hope you enjoy!
I'm putting one in my next case mod. Don't even care if it works.
but how do modern day executives even sleep at night without key locks?
"I've been locked out of my computer."
In 1990 i had my first computer and i was 10y.o.. My, now dead father, used to lock my computer while he was gone so i wouldn't play and study my lessons. Little did he know that with a small pin i would unlock it and relock it in less than a second.
"a hard to duplicate tubular key"
"Wanna play some Overwatch?"
4:58
Haha they probably thought computers would be too heavy to steal forever
Imagine filming a video, then hearing a faint sound at your doorstep.
I remember when I first starting my real "grown-up" job back in the mid-90's, in a hospital, the PC's had those locks. Even for the time period I worked there in the 90's, those PCs were dated, but the hospital kept them in use as long as they could before basically being forced to upgrade because of medical records software not being able to run efficiently on the old PCs.
As a retro computer enthusiast/nerd and a locksmith/door hardware specialist, this video is right up my alley. Thanks Clint!
I only could have a computer when I was 18 years old, I love learn more about these old machines, specially, about the secrets. Great video!