Apparatus and methods for keyboard data normalization

A computing device comprising:

• a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys;
• a processor coupled to the keyboard, wherein prior to loading keyboard processing software, the processor executes instructions that cause the processor to:
• detect that one key of the plurality of keys has been depressed;
• read a first code indicative of a physical location of the depressed key;
• convert the first code into a second code indicative of a keycap value corresponding to the depressed key;
• and
• output the second code indicative of the keycap value corresponding to the depressed key.

A keyboard data processing system adapted to operate prior to loading of keyboard processing software, the system comprising:

• a keyboard controller configured to receive an indication that a key of a keyboard has been depressed;
• a keyboard handler coupled to the keyboard controller and configured to read a first code indicative of a physical location of the depressed key, to convert the first code into a second code indicative of a keycap value corresponding to the depressed key and to output the second code indicative of the keycap value corresponding to the depressed key;
• and
• a password checker coupled to the keyboard handler and configured to store a power-on password and to compare the second code indicative of the keycap value corresponding to the depressed key to the power-on password.