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#1 2021-11-05 08:18:26
- 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,i8042Last edited by tporg (2021-11-09 14:26:36)
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#2 2021-11-05 11:33:15
- seth
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- Registered: 2012-09-03
- Posts: 77,238
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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#3 2021-11-05 12:17:52
- tporg
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- 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)
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#4 2021-11-05 12:26:28
- seth
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- Posts: 77,238
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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#5 2021-11-05 12:46:15
- tporg
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- 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)
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#6 2021-11-05 13:01:26
- seth
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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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#7 2021-11-05 13:26:17
- tporg
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- 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! 
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#8 2021-11-05 14:34:57
- seth
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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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#9 2021-11-09 03:04:43
- tporg
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- 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)
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#10 2021-11-09 07:15:52
- seth
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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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#11 2021-11-09 11:51:38
- tporg
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Re: [SOLVED]Unable to navigate GRUB/BIOS on boot with my wireless keyboard
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-setupand 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)
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#12 2021-11-09 12:19:34
- seth
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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.
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#13 2021-11-09 14:25:22
- tporg
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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)
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#14 2021-11-09 14:28:46
- seth
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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
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#15 2021-11-09 14:34:16
- tporg
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- 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.
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