Great news - my keyboard now works using an (active) PS/2->XT converter... I was able to press F1 and then load BASIC!
At least one simple thing is fixed. Next up? Follow the previous posts to address:
20000 201 - memory problem at 20000
1701 some general HDD or Controller problem
601 Floppy (well in fairness the floppy isn't even there)
cheers! andy