Abstract: A coin-operated personal computer is controlled by a coin box having a timing mechanism to allow a user to operate the computer for a predetermined amount of time for a fee. The computer keyboard which is used to enter and/or retrieve information is connected through the coin operated timing mechanism such that the driving mechanism of the personal computer, data storage, memory, etc., is operational at all times, but the keyboard data transmission line which is used to enter and/or retrieve information is disabled at the end of the time period. The file or data which the user is working on is not lost when the timer disables the keyboard, since the other components of the computer system remain on and operational to retain the data, and in the event that the user has not completed the work at the end of the time period, another coin can be inserted for additional time in which the work can be completed or saved to memory storage.