FC4t2 Installation - Keyboard Doesn't Work...

[megamanXplosion]

Hello :)

I have just attempted to install Fedora Core 4 Test 2 on my machine and I hit a snag very early in the process. I noticed that my keyboard and mouse didn't work, so I couldn't choose any of the options (I get stuck at the screen asking if I want to check the CD media.) I decided to reboot and used the "linux noprobe" option to see if I could get my keyboard or mouse to work; the mouse functioned normally but the keyboard still wouldn't work. I have no idea if there's anything else I could try...

I am using a ViewSonic KU-202 (http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823150008) on the USB port.

Any ideas?

[Brian1]

Only thing I could think of trying is either buying a cheap ps/2 keyboard ( when done playing return for refund ) or borrowing one from someone to see if you can continue playing with the install. Surprising the USB keyboard would not work. They must have an issue to when they are loading USB modules in thier basic kernel setup for the install.

I hope this is not a bad sign for fc4. Many issue in default fc3 installs.

Brian1
Google the Linux way at ' http://www.google.com/linux '

[megamanXplosion]

Only thing I could think of trying is either buying a cheap ps/2 keyboard ( when done playing return for refund ) or borrowing one from someone to see if you can continue playing with the install. Surprising the USB keyboard would not work. They must have an issue to when they are loading USB modules in thier basic kernel setup for the install.

I hope this is not a bad sign for fc4. Many issue in default fc3 installs.

Brian1
Google the Linux way at ' http://www.google.com/linux '

I don't think it's an issue with Fedora Core 4 specifically, but rather an issue with the whole Linux world. I have tried Ubuntu 4.10 (I ordered 5.40 a few weeks ago, should receive it soon), Mandrake 10.2, some other distro I can't remember at the moment, and Fedora Core 3.91, all of them encounter the same stupid problem. Mandrake 10.2 is the only distribution that I can successfully install with this keyboard and that's because I can use the mouse in the installer and once it's installed I can't use it because my keyboard doesn't work there either. I will be trying Ark Linux 2005 SR1 on Monday and Ubuntu 5.04 when it finally arrives, hopefully they will not suffer from the same problem. If they suffer from the same problem then I'm giving up on Linux for a few more years. With USB powering almost everything nowadays, you'd think that Linux would support the standard better...

Will someone from the Linux world please fix this stupid problem? It's very irritating.

Thanks for trying to help Brian. Although your solution will not work for me, I do appreciate the effort :)

[Brian1]

One thought is to try using a different keyboard and mouse and then after the install try using the ones you want to use. Many distro use a very basic kernel to start with. Have you tried a Knoppix Live CD and see if it works with the hardware.

Actually if most manufacturies of hardware followed the standards and not build devices with hacks and cut corners to save a buck or two, then more hardware would be available. Just compare it to the win modem and printer days. Oh they are still here. To me I would pay a few dollars more for a well built and standard hardware.

Brian1

[megamanXplosion]

I'll see if I can borrow my sister's keyboard in a couple of hours, hopefully it will allow me to get the ball rolling. I will report back with my results.

I know what you mean about win-modems, I have a 56k win-modem in this machine as well, lol. I know that because Ubuntu 4.10 worked with my last keyboard (nephew sneaked into my room and spilled pepsi all over it, which is why I bought this keyboard) and I loved it except for not being able to get online. I do plan on replacing it though, if you have any recommendations for a hardware-controlled replacement then please let them be known :)

[Flyboy917]

I had the same problem. A temporary PS 2 setup should work.
I hope they fix this in FC4 because it is not an issue in FC3.

Flyboy

[megamanXplosion]

Well, I borrowed my sister's Compaq USB keyboard (not sure which model it is) yesterday and tried installing with it, no luck. I think that I'd have to have a PS/2 setup like Flyboy mentioned. Unfortunately, I think my nephew fried my PS/2 port along with my last keyboard, I plugged in the USB to PS/2 adaptor and hooked my new keyboard in and the bios tells me that there's a "keyboard or system unit error". I don't like the way that sounds, lol. It must have had that problem for a few weeks now but I didn't notice it until I tried using the PS/2 port, fortunately the problem is only with the PS/2 port and nothing else on my motherboard. I'm not going to bother replacing my motherboard on this computer, I'm building a new one this summer so it's no big deal :)

I installed Ark Linux 2005 SR1 before I went to bed last night and it worked without any major problems, and I like it so far. Due to the fact that I got Ark Linux working, I don't think I'll be downloading Fedora Core 3 because that will take weeks on my dialup connection and I don't have an easy upgrade path from what I'm seeing here. I will keep my eye on Fedora Core 4 though, if the problem is corrected then I'll give Fedora Core 4 another shot.

Thank you for the help Brian and Flyboy, it's appreciated :)