Arch Linux

tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

[SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Hi,

I am unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS with my wireless keyboard during boot period. It is functional inside a TTY, Login manager and during normal session. My laptop is 9 years old and is a legacy machine. The tricky part is my internal laptop keyboard is dysfunctional. It used to glitch out during boot by automatically getting into BIOS settings, but over time after some update possibly, it completely stopped working. But now I need to reinstall the OS but can't as I am unable get the bootable USB working.

Kernel - linux510

I also came across https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=262290 which talks about disabling the internal keyboard with the below parameter. While I want to disable the internal keyboard but use my wireless keyboard during boot:

CONFIG_KEYBOARD_ATKBD=m

So as per modeinfo atkbd, can setting the below parameter to that of my wireless keyboard fix the issue?

parm: set:Select keyboard code set (2 = default, 3 = PS/2 native) (int)

I am still getting used to changing things around kernel modules so I didn't want to stop the keyboard from working post reboot (since it currently works post boot at least in sessions, tty and login manager). So any help would be appreciated.

$modinfo atkbd:

 modinfo atkbd
filename:       /lib/modules/5.10.77-3-lts/kernel/drivers/input/keyboard/atkbd.ko.xz
license:        GPL
description:    AT and PS/2 keyboard driver
author:         Vojtech Pavlik <vojtech@suse.cz>
srcversion:     F54BC5667EC259F5824BBCA
alias:          serio:ty02pr22id*ex*
alias:          serio:ty06pr*id*ex*
alias:          serio:ty01pr*id*ex*
depends:        serio,libps2
retpoline:      Y
intree:         Y
name:           atkbd
vermagic:       5.10.77-3-lts SMP mod_unload 
sig_id:         PKCS#7
signer:         Build time autogenerated kernel key
sig_key:        xxxxx
sig_hashalgo:   sha512
signature:      xxxxx
parm:           set:Select keyboard code set (2 = default, 3 = PS/2 native) (int)
parm:           reset:Reset keyboard during initialization (bool)
parm:           softrepeat:Use software keyboard repeat (bool)
parm:           softraw:Use software generated rawmode (bool)
parm:           scroll:Enable scroll-wheel on MS Office and similar keyboards (bool)
parm:           extra:Enable extra LEDs and keys on IBM RapidAcces, EzKey and similar keyboards (bool)
parm:           terminal:Enable break codes on an IBM Terminal keyboard connected via AT/PS2 (bool)

$lsmode:

Module                  Size  Used by
isofs                  49152  1
snd_seq_dummy          16384  0
snd_hrtimer            16384  1
snd_seq                90112  7 snd_seq_dummy
snd_seq_device         16384  1 snd_seq
ccm                    20480  3
nouveau              2351104  1
ttm                   114688  1 nouveau
snd_hda_codec_hdmi     73728  1
snd_hda_codec_realtek   155648  1
snd_hda_codec_generic    98304  1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
ledtrig_audio          16384  1 snd_hda_codec_generic
intel_rapl_msr         20480  0
intel_rapl_common      28672  1 intel_rapl_msr
snd_hda_intel          57344  1
x86_pkg_temp_thermal    20480  0
snd_intel_dspcfg       28672  1 snd_hda_intel
intel_powerclamp       20480  0
soundwire_intel        45056  1 snd_intel_dspcfg
soundwire_generic_allocation    16384  1 soundwire_intel
soundwire_cadence      36864  1 soundwire_intel
coretemp               20480  0
kvm_intel             331776  0
iwldvm                278528  0
snd_hda_codec         172032  4 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
mac80211             1101824  1 iwldvm
kvm                   933888  1 kvm_intel
iTCO_wdt               16384  0
snd_hda_core          110592  5 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hwdep              16384  1 snd_hda_codec
soundwire_bus          90112  3 soundwire_intel,soundwire_generic_allocation,soundwire_cadence
libarc4                16384  1 mac80211
irqbypass              16384  1 kvm
i915                 2719744  35
crct10dif_pclmul       16384  1
at24                   24576  0
iwlwifi               417792  1 iwldvm
mei_hdcp               24576  0
crc32_pclmul           16384  0
ghash_clmulni_intel    16384  0
intel_pmc_bxt          16384  1 iTCO_wdt
aesni_intel           372736  2
iTCO_vendor_support    16384  1 iTCO_wdt
mxm_wmi                16384  1 nouveau
uvcvideo              114688  0
crypto_simd            16384  1 aesni_intel
samsung_laptop         24576  0
videobuf2_vmalloc      20480  1 uvcvideo
videobuf2_memops       20480  1 videobuf2_vmalloc
videobuf2_v4l2         36864  1 uvcvideo
snd_soc_core          327680  1 soundwire_intel
btusb                  65536  0
i2c_algo_bit           16384  2 i915,nouveau
cryptd                 24576  2 crypto_simd,ghash_clmulni_intel
snd_compress           32768  1 snd_soc_core
glue_helper            16384  1 aesni_intel
ac97_bus               16384  1 snd_soc_core
snd_pcm_dmaengine      16384  1 snd_soc_core
btrtl                  24576  1 btusb
rapl                   16384  0
btbcm                  16384  1 btusb
snd_pcm               147456  8 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,soundwire_intel,snd_compress,snd_soc_core,snd_hda_core,snd_pcm_dmaengine
intel_cstate           20480  0
intel_uncore          172032  0
videobuf2_common       65536  2 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo
btintel                32768  1 btusb
i2c_i801               36864  0
psmouse               184320  0
drm_kms_helper        278528  2 i915,nouveau
pcspkr                 16384  0
bluetooth             704512  5 btrtl,btintel,btbcm,btusb
i2c_smbus              20480  1 i2c_i801
cfg80211              983040  3 iwldvm,iwlwifi,mac80211
videodev              294912  3 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
snd_timer              49152  3 snd_seq,snd_hrtimer,snd_pcm
cec                    61440  2 drm_kms_helper,i915
r8169                 102400  0
mei_me                 45056  1
intel_gtt              24576  1 i915
realtek                24576  1
ecdh_generic           16384  1 bluetooth
mdio_devres            16384  1 r8169
syscopyarea            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
ecc                    36864  1 ecdh_generic
mc                     61440  4 videodev,videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
joydev                 28672  0
snd                   114688  16 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_timer,snd_compress,snd_soc_core,snd_pcm
mousedev               24576  0
sysfillrect            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt              16384  1 drm_kms_helper
lpc_ich                28672  0
libphy                151552  3 r8169,mdio_devres,realtek
fb_sys_fops            16384  1 drm_kms_helper
rfkill                 28672  5 bluetooth,samsung_laptop,cfg80211
soundcore              16384  1 snd
mei                   139264  3 mei_hdcp,mei_me
wmi                    36864  2 mxm_wmi,nouveau
mac_hid                16384  0
video                  57344  3 i915,samsung_laptop,nouveau
ipmi_devintf           20480  0
ipmi_msghandler        73728  1 ipmi_devintf
drm                   577536  19 drm_kms_helper,i915,ttm,nouveau
sg                     40960  0
fuse                  167936  7
crypto_user            20480  0
agpgart                53248  4 intel_gtt,ttm,nouveau,drm
bpf_preload            16384  0
ip_tables              32768  0
x_tables               53248  1 ip_tables
ext4                  929792  1
crc32c_generic         16384  0
crc16                  16384  2 bluetooth,ext4
mbcache                16384  1 ext4
jbd2                  151552  1 ext4
hid_logitech_hidpp     49152  0
uas                    32768  0
usb_storage            81920  2 uas
hid_logitech_dj        28672  0
usbhid                 65536  1 hid_logitech_dj
serio_raw              20480  0
atkbd                  36864  0
libps2                 20480  2 atkbd,psmouse
crc32c_intel           24576  2
sr_mod                 28672  0
cdrom                  77824  2 isofs,sr_mod
xhci_pci               20480  0
xhci_pci_renesas       20480  1 xhci_pci
i8042                  32768  0
serio                  28672  6 serio_raw,atkbd,psmouse,i8042

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-09 14:26:36)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

For a *wireless* keyboard, atkbd is probably not the issue.
You can probably forget about using it in the BIOS anyway - if you need to use it there in order to select the boot device => get a regular-ass $5 usb wired keyboard.

But now I need to reinstall the OS

Why?

In order to get the wireless KB working under grub, we'd first need to know what keyboard and what kind of wireless that is. Bluetooth or some proprietary dongle?

---

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tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

For a *wireless* keyboard, atkbd is probably not the issue.
You can probably forget about using it in the BIOS anyway - if you need to use it there in order to select the boot device => get a regular-ass $5 usb wired keyboard.

My regular wired keyboard is not recognising it either. I read here somewhere that keyboard gets disabled on boot when some checks fails during boot if keyboard malfunction. Like I said before, my laptop keyboard is malfunctional. I was able to access BIOS with wireless keyboard before. I am not sure if this is what happened. Do you know?

Why?

It is unrelated to the issue. I am giving the laptop to somebody else and I need to reinstall the OS.

In order to get the wireless KB working under grub, we'd first need to know what keyboard and what kind of wireless that is. Bluetooth or some proprietary dongle?

It is Logitech MK240 with a proprietary dongle. But the issue remains that it isn't working during BIOS, which it was before. Any pointers would be great.

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-05 12:20:21)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Does it work on a warm reboot (ie. if you reboot from a running OS and then enter the BIOS)?
I don't think you received a BIOS update via eg. windows update for a 9 year old device, so if it stopped working it's probably a race condition.
Next to cold/warm boots, other USB devices might matter - or the dead built-in keyboard fires spurious events.

I'm not sure whether you can perform a CMOS reset w/o input at the BIOS, otherwise you could try that.

Do you know why the internal keyboard is broken? (Maybe only the internal connection came loose)

---

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tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Does it work on a warm reboot (ie. if you reboot from a running OS and then enter the BIOS)?

No it doesn't. It used to before like I have mentioned in the main post. It used to glitch continiously and enter BIOS and I have to press the esc key to stop the glitching and get out of BIOS on every single boot. A while ago it stopped doing it and the keyboard stopped completely.

I don't think you received a BIOS update via eg. windows update for a 9 year old device, so if it stopped working it's probably a race condition.

I only have Arch on my system.

I'm not sure whether you can perform a CMOS reset w/o input at the BIOS, otherwise you could try that.

I can't.

Do you know why the internal keyboard is broken? (Maybe only the internal connection came loose)

It used to glitch like start pressing s continuously (like sssssssssssssssssssssss) until I press esc key which used to stop the freakouts. The glitch start after tightly pack it in the backpack while moving during the initial pandemic migration. But everything else works perfectly without issues.

Also shouldn't I be able to disable the internal keyboard during boot and use an external one even then?

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-05 12:47:36)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Also shouldn't I be able to disable the internal keyboard during boot and use an external one even then?

You mean in the BIOS …

Can you dismount the internal keyboard? It probably permanently signals some input (afaiu it automatically entered the BIOS for you?)

---

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tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Also shouldn't I be able to disable the internal keyboard during boot and use an external one even then?

You mean in the BIOS …

Can you dismount the internal keyboard? It probably permanently signals some input (afaiu it automatically entered the BIOS for you?)

It is a decade old machine.I tried opening it and some screws are weirdly tight. And the machine itself is very weak physically. I don't think sudden moves or any moves are a good idea!

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

The keyboard is typically easily removable w/ some plastic lips to its side.
W/ a little luck you can find a how to on youtube for the model where you can watch somebody taking it apart (so you know where to look and what you can expect)

---

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tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

The keyboard is typically easily removable w/ some plastic lips to its side.
W/ a little luck you can find a how to on youtube for the model where you can watch somebody taking it apart (so you know where to look and what you can expect)

Excuse the delay in reply. I was offline for last 2 days. My laptop has been hard to open. So has been the keyboard. Also without opening the laptop, opening keycaps alone is not going to let me unplug it. Is there any other way? I am almost sure I read about the keyboard being disabled at boot if found malfunction during the boot process. Do you know anything? Appreciate your time, thanks.

Also, you are right seth, my $5 wired keyboard should've been responding during boot. Why isn't it? Any idea?

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-09 03:42:46)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

My laptop has been hard to open. So has been the keyboard. Also without opening the laptop, opening keycaps alone is not going to let me unplug it.

Macbook?
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201255

my $5 wired keyboard should've been responding during boot. Why isn't it?

Did you alter the legacy USB mode setting?

Can you

systemctl reboot --firmware-setup

and there use the touchpad to configure the settings?
Does the system still have a PS/2 input?

---

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tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Macbook?
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201255

No. It is a legacy Samsung laptop. The problem is one specific screw which is kind of stuck in a very fragile part near the battery. It will break some fragile part which includes some small wires or something.

Did you alter the legacy USB mode setting?

No. I didn't.

Can you

systemctl reboot --firmware-setup

and there use the touchpad to configure the settings?

It says cannot indicate to EFI to boot into setup mode. I am assuming this command is for UEFI systems and mine is a Legacy system.

Does the system still have a PS/2 input?

As in the old PS/2 port for keyboard/mouse? No.

Edit: My bad, I am assuming by PS/2, you are talking about something related to keyboard input. Can you please tell me how to get the necessary information?

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-09 12:14:44)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Legacy Samsung what exactly?
The wired usb keyboard (likely any, incl. PS/2 if that was an option) will liekly not pass the internal keyboard misfiring events.
If you're lucky, some key is just stuck and aggressively typing the keys might release that but w/o access to the HW, we're kinda running out of options here.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Legacy Samsung what exactly?
The wired usb keyboard (likely any, incl. PS/2 if that was an option) will liekly not pass the internal keyboard misfiring events.
If you're lucky, some key is just stuck and aggressively typing the keys might release that but w/o access to the HW, we're kinda running out of options here.

Good news Seth! I took out all the key caps and cleaned them up. And for some reason, the F2 key started working after the clean. Meaning I can access the BIOS again. And weirdly enough, external keyboards (both wired and wireless) started working again!

I am still puzzled about why the external keyboards refused to work before. Any idea? Because most of my keys are faulty so I didn't put back a few key caps back as it started getting stuck and continuously pressed again. I worried that this is going to repeat again.

Last edited by tporg (2021-11-09 14:30:23)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 77,241

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Because the internal keyboard (or rather the disgusting grease inside ;-) had some key permanently pressed, blocking the input handling for every other device.
Lesson learned: don't eat over your keyboard

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

tporg

Member

Registered: 2019-11-26

Posts: 44

Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard

Because the internal keyboard (or rather the disgusting grease inside ;-) had some key permanently pressed, blocking the input handling for every other device.

Aaaaaahhhh. Makes sense. Thank you for your patience while assisting me.

Lesson learned: don't eat over your keyboard

I don't. I am just from a dustier place. And a 9 year old laptop not used for 3ish year seems to have collected some. I can't open the laptop but I guess I will have to find a way so that I can disconnect the internal keyboard as mentioned by you. Thanks a lot again.