diff --git a/src/mame/drivers/pocketc.cpp b/src/mame/drivers/pocketc.cpp
index d35e3ffc747..50ba0cb0d7a 100644
--- a/src/mame/drivers/pocketc.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/drivers/pocketc.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
     Sharp pocket computers
     PC1401/PC1403
     PeT mess@utanet.at May 2000
+
+    pc1403 and pc1403h can be convinced to work if you hit Enter once or twice
+    as soon as it is started.
+
 ******************************************************************************/
 
 #include "emu.h"
diff --git a/src/mame/machine/pc1251.cpp b/src/mame/machine/pc1251.cpp
index 7abc31af973..6f79918e5ed 100644
--- a/src/mame/machine/pc1251.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/machine/pc1251.cpp
@@ -30,9 +30,11 @@ READ8_MEMBER(pc1251_state::in_a_r)
 			data |= 0x02;       // problem with the deg lcd
 	}
 
-	for (int bit = 0, key = 1; bit < 3; bit++, key++)
-		if (BIT(m_outb, bit))
-			data |= m_keys[key]->read();
+	if (BIT(m_outb, 1))
+		data |= m_keys[1]->read();
+
+	if (BIT(m_outb, 2))
+		data |= m_keys[2]->read();
 
 	for (int bit = 0, key = 3; bit < 7; bit++, key++)
 		if (BIT(m_outa, bit))
diff --git a/src/mame/machine/pc1401.cpp b/src/mame/machine/pc1401.cpp
index e29bc1e1ce3..e9f595cacd5 100644
--- a/src/mame/machine/pc1401.cpp
+++ b/src/mame/machine/pc1401.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ READ8_MEMBER(pc1401_state::in_a_r)
 	int data = m_outa;
 
 	for (int bit = 0; bit < 5; bit++)
-		if (BIT(m_outb, 0))
+		if (BIT(m_outb, bit))
 			data |= m_keys[bit]->read();
 
 	if (m_outb & 0x20)