USB problem at boot up

[PCGeek]

I just started playing with Linux and the bootloader that starts up my USB keyboard is not functioning. I assume that's because there's no operating system at that point so there are no drivers loaded. I have to plug in a PS2 keyboard until the system is booted then I can use the USB keyboard.

[firestorm]

Wierd... Can you give us some more info plz?
I don't see how your boot loader would make a difference but then again I don't know all of the facts. I have a usb mouse and keyboard and both worked fine during boot up and installation. What linux distro are you using? Thanks

[PCGeek]

I'm using Debian. I know it's enabled in the bios it just doesn't seem to work with the bootloader. Thanks. BBL

[OulZac]

Hello PCGeek,

Here is a direct quote from the Debian manual, one of my buddys had the same problem awhile back, and this fixed his, so here it is:

5.2.1 Keyboard configuration

The most invasive change in the 2.6 kernels is a fundamental change of the input layer. This change makes all keyboards look like "normal" PC keyboards. This means that if you currently have a different type of keyboard selected (e.g. a USB-MAC or Sun keyboard), you will very likely end up with a non-working keyboard after rebooting with the new 2.6 kernel.

If you can SSH into the box from another system, you can resolve this issue by running dpkg-reconfigure console-data, choosing the option "Select keymap from full list" and selecting a "pc" keyboard.

If your console keyboard is affected, you will probably also need to reconfigure your keyboard for the X Window System. You can do this either by running dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86 or by editing /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 directly. Don't forget to read the documentation referred to in Things to do before rebooting, Section 4.6.

Note that if you are using a USB keyboard, this may be configured as either a "normal" PC keyboard or as a USB-MAC keyboard. In the first case you will not be affected by this issue.