Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

[Calilasseia]

I've got an interesting problem with the Feisty install CD.

It fails to recognise the presence of my keyboard completely.

My keyboard is a tad ancient, but it's plugged into the PS/2 port in my PC, and thus shouldn't be difficult for the OS to pick up. However, the thought occurs to me that the OS is getting confused because I have a USB mouse attached.

Anyone else had a similar problem? And how do I stop this happening?

Only I'd like to install Feisty if I can, but if it won't even recognise the existence of my keyboard, there's precious little point.

System is an Athlon thunderbird 1.3GHz, ChainTech motherboard.

I can obtain detailed system specs from a system spec analyser if required.

[integr8e]

Re: Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

I am using a ps2 keyboard with a USB mouse and don't have a problem; so that shouldn't be it. Have you checked the back of your computer to make sure your keyboard has a good connection?

[Calilasseia]

Re: Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

I am using a ps2 keyboard with a USB mouse and don't have a problem; so that shouldn't be it. Have you checked the back of your computer to make sure your keyboard has a good connection?

Well if the keyboard connection was faulty, the BIOS would alert me on power-up.

Plus, my Windows install doesn't have any problems detecting my keyboard.

Doesn't seem to matter what keyboard selection I pick (and there aren't that many in the list either), I get the same result, When it pops up the little box for test typing, and I click in it, the keyboard is totally dead.

[integr8e]

Re: Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

I've just found it's always a good practice to check and make sure your hardware has a good connection to the back of the computer when you're having issues, but that's OK; what kind of keyboard are you using? Is it just a standard keyboard, an internet keyboard, what?

Edit: I fount this bug on the topic; apparently there are other people experiencing the same thing. You could always use the virtual keyboard

Edit: If you have access to another keyboard, try it and see if you get the same results.

[Calilasseia]

Re: Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

My keyboard is an antique - it's an old 486 type keyboard, but I like it because it has nice clicky keys and proper microswitches which means I can type at speed in reasonably flawless fashion. Plus, it's heavy enough to kill someone with if you hit them over the head with it (backing plate is 1/8" angle iron, which shows how this one was built to last!) and because it weighs over 7 lbs, it sits nicely in my lap whilst I'm typing in the armchair. Means that it doesn't bounce around like modern keyboards do when used for typing - I prefer my kit to possess some engineering solidity.

I've just checked the BIOS and it says "USB Keyboard Support Disabled" which I thought might be an issue if I'd accidentally enabled it for some reason, but that shouldn't be causing any conflicts. After all, if the BIOS can see my keyboard, and Windows can, surely Linux should be able to as well?

I suppose I could go all the way back to Dapper and then upgrade over the net, but that takes ages even with a broadband connection because I tend to install a lot of packages.

Additional info from my system checked that might be of use:

CPU Type : AMD Athlon 1333MHz (133 x 10)
Motherboard Name : Chaintech 7AJA2(E) (1 ISA, 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR, 3 DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset : VIA VT8363A Apollo KT133A
System Memory : 256 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type : Award Modular (09/12/01)
Video Adapter : RADEON 7000 SERIES
3D Accelerator : ATI RV100 DDR
Monitor : ADI ProVista E40 [15" CRT] (747L00340978)
Audio Adapter : C-Media CMI8738/C3DX Audio Device
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard (PS2)
Mouse : HID-compliant mouse (USB)
Game Controller : Microsoft PC-joystick driver
Network Adapter : USBCM 351000 (86.4.7.138) (NTL Cable Modem)

(Data from Everest System Checker)

The C: drive is partitioned for dual boot, and I have 40 GB free for my Linux install (which should be enough surely?), the other 40 GB being used for my Windows install.

Am I going to have to go to the trouble of downloading and burning the alternate CD to get Feisty up and running? Or should I just revert to Dapper and upgrade via that route (which seems a bit pointless as I have a perfectly functional Feisty install CD)?

[integr8e]

Re: Feisty Installer Fails To Recognise Keyboard

I read on this thread, with Edgy anyways, there is an option to hit one of the F-keys in the menu of the Live CD immediately after it boots - the menu that allows you to start Kubuntu - to configure the language, keyboard layout, and screen resolution. I can't test it at the moment, but if you would like, you can see if that works.

It shouldn't be your computer; my sister's computer (my old one) is very similar to yours, except not quite as good. I can't give you the exact specs at the moment, but it uses an AMD Duron 1400 with 256Mb pc133 RAM (everything except the ethernet card is onboard, and very cheap). I hated that computer with Window$, it has so many quirks it isn't funny, but it runs great with Kubuntu.