I freaking give up....

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

PS: There is something different. When I re-boot the Kmix window pops up. No big deal to me using the system but not sure if it matters to this troubleshoting or not.

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

Your talking about when it boots, right? I know there is an option that says something about Grub and gives me like 2 seconds to enter it or something like that. I know it when I see just don't remember 100% what is says.

There's a setting in the menu.lst that controls how long the delay is before the default boot entry is run. It appears to be set to 2 seconds. You can change that.

Use Konqueror and navigate to /boot/grub
Right-click on the menu.lst file and choose Actions | Edit as Root
Scroll down to:

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 2

Change the timeout value to something higher than 2 (I have mine set to 60).
Just below this you will find the ## hiddenmenu section. If the third line is uncommented (has not # sign in front of it) then you are not being presented with a boot menu at all. If that is the case, add a # and space in front of the third line so it looks like:
# hiddenmenu

Save the file and shutdown / reboot. The Grub boot menu will now be displayed and give you 60 (or whatever amount of time you set it to) seconds to take an action. Note: moving the down/up arrows stops the count-down. So, if you press the down arrow once and then the up arrow once, you will interupt the countdown, put you on the first boot line, and be waiting for you to do something. At this point, press the F6 key and make the change to the kernel line as previously posted.

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

OK..the keyboard doesn't read once the kernel has started. I know it works getting into BIOS but never needed to do anything till the log in screen shows up.

I did make the changes you told me and it gives me 3 options to boot from.

James

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

OK..the keyboard doesn't read once the kernel has started.
[snip]
I did make the changes you told me and it gives me 3 options to boot from.

Not sure I get what you are saying by ".the keyboard doesn't read once the kernel has started." If you set the timeout to a reasonable amount of time, you can navigate the three displayed options (regular kernel boot, Recovery Mode (single user), and memtest+) with the down/up arrow keys. This is correct, yes? Assuming 'yes,' then in this condition - the boot menu displayed - and on the first option (if unsure, just press your up arrow key twice) pressing the F6 key allows editing of the kernel line.

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

Sorry for being clearer. Once I get the menu options you listed the keyboard is dead. It will not let me arrow up or down or anything. It just stays on the top option and keeps counting down from the 60 seconds I set it too. Make better since?

Thanks,
James

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

That's clear.

That said however, your non-responsive keyboard doesn't make any sense. I'm assuming that after it counts down to zero, it continues and you boot into your desktop correctly. So, let's see what your file looks like. Open a console and type:

cat /boot/grub/menu.lst

Copy and paste for a review.

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

OK this is what I got, or at least all I could get of it.

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 60

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
# hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b9-d1bd750d0f14 ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b 9-d1bd750d0f14 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b 9-d1bd750d0f14 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
james@desktop:~$ cat /boot/grub/menu.lst
# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not use 'savedefault' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 60

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
# hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b9-d1bd750d0f14 ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## should update-grub add savedefault to the default options
## can be true or false
# savedefault=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b9-d1bd750d0f14 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 7.10, kernel 2.6.22-14-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.22-14-generic root=UUID=ceebfb9f-0248-4899-98b9-d1bd750d0f14 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.22-14-generic

title Ubuntu 7.10, memtest86+
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
james@desktop:~$

Now it didn't show me the command line where I entered the command you posted so not 100% it's all of it. But that's as far as it would let me scroll up so that's what I copied.

Thanks,

James

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

Nothing wrong with your /boot/grub/menu.lst You keyboard not working isn't a result of anything in it.

Let's recap: You disabled the on-board sound in the BIOS - no other BIOS changes have been made, yes? Were you ever able to edit the boot kernel from the displayed Grub Boot menu with the F6 key to add the acpi=off option?

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

You disabled the on-board sound in the BIOS - no other BIOS changes have been made

Right.

Were you ever able to edit the boot kernel from the displayed Grub Boot menu with the F6 key to add the acpi=off option?

Nope.

This is where the keyboard stops working. So I couldn't enter the Grub Boot Menu and add anything. It loads the menu screen with the 3 choices. But will not let me arrow up or down or does anything when I hit F6. Keeps counting down from the 60 seconds I edited and then loads the "welcome" screen, with my log in and password. Once there I can enter my password and it loads my desktop.

Thanks,
James

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

What happens, when the Grub Boot menu is displayed, if you press the Escape key? Do you get a working keyboard then?

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

Let me try and make sure. BRB.

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

OK.... key board works for BIOS, then loads the Grub Menu nothing, then works again once the Kubuntu screen loads.

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

It "can't" be your /boot/grub/menu.lst. However, open a console and type:

sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst ~/menu.txt

Then attach the file in your reply (click on Additional Options...)so I can review it.

[JokersLoose]

Re: I freaking give up....

OK here it is.

[Snowhog]

Re: I freaking give up....

Again, nothing wrong with the file.

Is the keyboard a PS/2 style keyboard - does it have the small round connector