Keyboard not recognized by Linux

[Guest_imported]

Thankyou for taking the time to read this.
I have been trying to install linux on a computer for the past 2 days now. The computer I am installing on is a Compaq 5102C, 900mhz AMD Duron, 384 MB RAM, 64 MB ATI Radeon 7500, 40 GB harddrive.

Heres my problem,
I have tried to install both Red Hat 7.2 and Mand Drake 8.1. In both programs installation programs my keyboard remains unresponsive. I can move my mouse around the screen. The keyboard is connected on a USB port, so I wonder if that would have anything to do with it. Unfortunately the installation program will let me continue until I have to select a root password, and at that point, because I can not type anything, I can go no further in the process.

Is there a possibility I have completely overlooked something while trying to install either of these Linux versions?Or is there a possibility that my keyboard is not supported?

Any response would be appreciated.
Stumped,
Jeff

 

[RhythmAce]

RH 7.2 supports usb keyboards. Did you scroll down and take a peek? It may not match you board exactly but you should find one that is compatible.

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

One caveat is that it won't work for a usb keyboard attached to an add-on card, i.e. where the motherboard usb ports are not used directly.

Regards

 

[RhythmAce]

Go ahead ifins - pop the man's bubble. He could also connect a ps/2 keyboard to install then maybe change it later?

 

[ifincham]

Hi,



Not sure I made that clear enough - I was just pointing out that it should be OK as long as the keyboard is connected to a motherboard usb socket. Problems arise if its hanging off an add-on card which is probably unlikely but could happen.



I was going to suggest using a regular keyboard to install and then swapping over post-install but that would mean problems if it didn't work on reboot. The system would in effect hang with no way to shutdown / reboot unless its set to go to runlevel 5 automatically with gdm running in which case you can probably do it with the mouse. But then again, if its rh7.2 with ext3 then in theory you don't suffer any problems if you do have to press the hardware reboot button / power-cycle the box.



I don't have a usb keyboard to try it out - maybe someone else has got round this.



Regards

 

[RhythmAce]

What are the bennies of a usb keyboard anyway?