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DuoDock II - missing security key concern

Alex

Alex

6502
Hello

If a key is missing on a DuoDock is there a chance that the dock becomes unusable? I am sorry for posting in this part of the forum but I can't find a better place to ask.

Background

I am thinking of bidding on a DuoDock II but the owner seems rather helpless with providing information, I think he doesn't know much about the device nor anything about a key so I assume it is missing. If it arrives to me without a key and is in the lock position what are the circumstances that I might face? How could I unlock it short of visiting a locksmith.

I have tried to find this information using Google but it's not easy. I hope someone who owns one can provide more details.

According to the DuoDuck repair manual:

  • Key locking device at left front of unit locks PowerBook Duo computer into the Duo Dock
  • Each lock is unique (no master key is available); 125 key combinations
  • Key codes will be released to locksmiths

Kind regards

—Alex Santos

 
I don't think it's actually that bad... You can pop the lid off.. remove the top assembly.. and then remove the lock mechanism.. or switch it into the open position.. I think if there was a duo in it and it was locked that would be an issue.. because you need to push the two inside front tabs to release the top lid.

The keyhole is actually plastic.... so it's not a master lock by any means...

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Alex said:
Hello

If a key is missing on a DuoDock is there a chance that the dock becomes unusable? I am sorry for posting in this part of the forum but I can't find a better place to ask.

Background

I am thinking of bidding on a DuoDock II but the owner seems rather helpless with providing information, I think he doesn't know much about the device nor anything about a key so I assume it is missing. If it arrives to me without a key and is in the lock position what are the circumstances that I might face? How could I unlock it short of visiting a locksmith.

I have tried to find this information using Google but it's not easy. I hope someone who owns one can provide more details.

According to the DuoDuck repair manual:

  • Key locking device at left front of unit locks PowerBook Duo computer into the Duo Dock
  • Each lock is unique (no master key is available); 125 key combinations
  • Key codes will be released to locksmiths
 Kind regards

—Alex Santos
Click to expand...

I'll try a few different keys and tell what works

 
a - No Duo/No problem.

b - Ask the seller if the lock slot is in the vertical or horizontal position/Portrait or Landscape in page layout terms.

c - Vertical/No problem.

If a + c it's a fairly simple, irritating procedure with slight chance of damage in this day of brittle plastics.

Key? We don' need no steenking key! [;)] ]'>

 
Trash80toHP_Mini said:
a - No Duo/No problem.

b - Ask the seller if the lock slot is in the vertical or horizontal position/Portrait or Landscape in page layout terms.

c - Vertical/No problem.

If a + c it's a fairly simple, irritating procedure with slight chance of damage in this day of brittle plastics.

Key? We don' need no steenking key! [ ;) ]
Click to expand...
I'll ask thank you.

If it is in the horizontal position what would it mean? Can I still use it? I imagine in that position the powerbook can't slide in but without the key can I somehow get back in the vertical position?

 
Dock teardown sequence in the Service Source is unaffected, take the lock housing/whatever out and fiddle around with bent wire lock picks like in the movies. [;)] ]'>

If all all else fails, see if you can get just the cylinder free and hot glue the dratted thing in there vertically for an easily reversible tweak.  [}:)] ]'> 

 
Trash80toHP_Mini said:
a - No Duo/No problem.

b - Ask the seller if the lock slot is in the vertical or horizontal position/Portrait or Landscape in page layout terms.

c - Vertical/No problem.

If a + c it's a fairly simple, irritating procedure with slight chance of damage in this day of brittle plastics.

Key? We don' need no steenking key! [ ;) ]
Click to expand...
I found out that it is in the horizontal positon

 
If I didn't have one with plenty of spare parts and the starting bid/shipping total seemed reasonable I'd place one in a heartbeat, even for a potential PartsDock these days.

"Reasonable" is a slippery sliding scale subject to a crapload of factors.

 
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