WHAT IS LOCK slot for?

[Loress]

Daughter poked the car key into usb port while I was on our HP all in one computer. I look back at screen and it was frozen, plus no mouse or keyboard. I powered down from power button. Checked all the connections. Powered up a few minutes later. Only a black screen appeared. Can hear machine working, but nothing.  Then held down power button again to turn off.

Double check connections and notice the LOCK SLOT on back which a key can go in quite nicely. What is the Lock Slot for? If poked at, does it lock the whole computer down?  I attempted another power up, got the black screen again and then it powered itself down after a few minutes. 

Thank you for responding.

[Malygris1]

Hi there @Loress,

May the Forums be with you!  It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts and other support personnel.  I see that you are concerned about the lock slot in the back of your All-in-One computer. I am happy to help you with this.

The lock slot is just an anti-theft security measure. It is used as the point to connect one of those security chains, as you would see in a store or business, to prevent a computer from being physically removed without the key to the chain.

Assuming that you are still having the black screen on start up, I would suggest you try out this document: HP Desktop PCs - Computer Does Not Start (Windows 10,8). Just follow the steps and the symptoms you are currently seeing with the computer. It should help resolve the issue.

Please let me know whether that works for you, and if it does resolve your issue, please mark this post as a solution. Kudos would also be appreciated.