Arch Linux

Byter

Member

Registered: 2014-02-07

Posts: 8

Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

To start off, I have an Apple Extended Keyboard II that I scrounged out of a closet back home. It's connected via USB through one of these.

So this weird setup is functional in the BIOS and in the bootloader (GRUB2), but once I get to Arch's login prompt its input is no longer recognized.

I can hook up a regular keyboard (USB) and log in, then after I startx and load Cinnamon the Apple keyboard works great. In fact I can switch to another virtual terminal and then log in. If I press caps lock on the normal keyboard at the (initial) Arch login the Apple keyboard's light comes on, so it is powered and presumably recognized as a keyboard.

I feel like I'm missing something key in Arch's boot process. Thanks for any help.

Notes:
I used this keyboard for the Arch installation process.
Mobo: GA-Z77-UD5H
I can say this setup works fully in Windows and OS X on the same hardware.

Rexilion

Member

Registered: 2013-12-23

Posts: 784

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

That's weird. Could you provide the output of:

dmesg
lsusb -v
lsmod

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fs/super.c : "Self-destruct in 5 seconds.  Have a nice day...\n",

Byter

Member

Registered: 2014-02-07

Posts: 8

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

Thanks for the help.

Before startx
dmesg
lsusb -v
lsmod

After startx
dmesg
lsusb -v
lsmod

diffs
dmesg
lsusb was the same
lsmod

So, I see the iMate device listed in the dmesg output both before and after. The diff content all seems to be graphics related so that's no use.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,677

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

Okay, I think I figured out what you are up to.  This is an ADB keyboard that you are connecting through that iMate thingy.  That iMate does show up in the lsusb output as a HID Keyboard device with the ability to operate as a boot device (a simple default setup that lets you use the keyboard prior to an OS starting)

I think I would expect it to work right out of the gate, but a cursory look around on Goggle indicates that the console does not support multiple keyboards, but that information may be dated.
Xorg, on the other hand does support multiple keyboards.

tl;dr I think this is normal with multiple keyboards

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
The shortest way to ruin a country is to give power to demagogues.— Dionysius of Halicarnassus
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How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

Byter

Member

Registered: 2014-02-07

Posts: 8

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

Except the ADB keyboard's input isn't registered even when it is the only one on the system. The second keyboard is only being used to work around the bug.

Additionally, I also just tried both in every USB port to rule that out. The ADB keyboard didn't work in any and the normal keyboard worked in them all.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,677

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

Okay, that I don't get.  Does the ADB keyboard work before you boot?  i.e. can you enter the BIOS, or select a boot order? Can you select an entry in your boot loader?

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
The shortest way to ruin a country is to give power to demagogues.— Dionysius of Halicarnassus
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

Byter

Member

Registered: 2014-02-07

Posts: 8

Re: Keyboard unrecognized prior to startx

Doesn't make any sense to me either. =-P

The ADB keyboard works in the BIOS, it works in GRUB, and I used it to perform the Arch install. But as soon as it was installed and I was booting normally it stopped working. Then it works again once I've started X and Cinnamon.

I think tomorrow I'll try to vary the software to hopefully narrow this down. Use a different (or no) DE and maybe an alternative to Xorg.

Last edited by Byter (2014-02-11 06:56:02)