Keyboard not responding before boot

anadyr · 2011-11-06 19:01:05

Hi,

My USB keyboard does not respond at all before the OS boots. This means that I cannot access the bios, not can I chose which OS to boot in Grub (it is set to automatically boot in Archlinux with a timeout of 5 seconds). But my keyboard works fine after boot, as I'm using it now...

This behavior only started about three months ago; before that there was no problem. It seems like the USB-function is disabled in the BIOS, but since I cannot access the BIOS I cannot verify or change this. And I cannot attach an old PS2 keyboard, because the computer (Dell Dimension C521) has no PS2 port, only USB.

I have the suspicion that the computer is too old and that something hardware-ish started to malfunction. But perhaps someone here has an idea how to fix this?

Thanks,
Roger

karol · 2011-11-06 19:30:14

Do you have 'usbinput' hook in your /etc/mkinitcpio.conf?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mkinitcpio#HOOKS

Adds USB HID modules to the image. Use this if you have an USB keyboard and need it in early userspace (either for entering encryption passphrases or for failsafe mode).

lifeafter2am · 2011-11-06 19:33:34

karol wrote:

Do you have 'usbinput' hook in your /etc/mkinitcpio.conf?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mkinitcpio#HOOKS
Adds USB HID modules to the image. Use this if you have an USB keyboard and need it in early userspace (either for entering encryption passphrases or for failsafe mode).

If he's not getting access to the keyboard in the BIOS / Grub screen; then it has nothing to do with a kernel module that is loaded after that.

karol · 2011-11-06 19:37:14

lifeafter2am wrote:

karol wrote:
Do you have 'usbinput' hook in your /etc/mkinitcpio.conf?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Mkinitcpio#HOOKS
Adds USB HID modules to the image. Use this if you have an USB keyboard and need it in early userspace (either for entering encryption passphrases or for failsafe mode).
If he's not getting access to the keyboard in the BIOS / Grub screen; then it has nothing to do with a kernel module that is loaded after that.

Argh, you're right + the usbinput is now included by default http://mailman.archlinux.org/pipermail/ … 01116.html

swanson · 2011-11-06 20:47:33

Have you tried resetting the Bios?

anadyr · 2011-11-06 21:47:01

I didn't physically open the computer yet because I was hoping that there might somehow be another option to do so.
If there are no alternatives, I will try to remove and insert the BIOS battery to see if it works. Is this what you mean by resetting the bios?

WorMzy · 2011-11-06 22:11:01

After a kernel panic (and subsequent hard reset), I, too, lose my keyboard. It doesn't even receive power. The only way I've found to get the BIOS to acknowledge it again is to unplug the power cord (this is a desktop PC), and discharge the power by pressing the power button. After that, plug the power cord back in (obviously), and power it up.

Might work for you, might not.

drcouzelis · 2011-11-07 03:23:34

I have some USB devices that cause my keyboard to now work in the BIOS. The main culprits on my computer appear to be my webcam and an iPod cable.

Try unplugging everything but the keyboard and monitor. Does your keyboard work in the BIOS then?

swanson · 2011-11-07 03:31:14

Normally one has to take out the battery and also move a jumper on the board för 10 secs, and then move it back.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-11-06 19:01:05

Keyboard not responding before boot

#2 2011-11-06 19:30:14

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#3 2011-11-06 19:33:34

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#4 2011-11-06 19:37:14

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#5 2011-11-06 20:47:33

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#6 2011-11-06 21:47:01

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#7 2011-11-06 22:11:01

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#8 2011-11-07 03:23:34

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

#9 2011-11-07 03:31:14

Re: Keyboard not responding before boot

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