Grub and USB keyboard?

[Dim]

I just changed from a PS/2 keyboard to USB. Now, when I get to the Grub loader screen, I am unable to use the keyboard to change the OS that boots. Grub just counts down the time and boots into the default OS (Win XP). Is Grub incompatible with a USB Keyboard? The computer will recognize the keyboard, since I can get into BIOS with it and it works fine under Windows.

I installed Red Hat 7.3 and Grub using the PS/2 keyboard, if that makes any difference.

 

[cleverhandle]

I don't really know about GRUB, but there are usually various BIOS settings relating to USB in general, and USB keyboards in particular - perhaps one of them is disabled when it shouldn't be?

 

[HalfCrazy]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle
I don't really know about GRUB, but there are usually various BIOS settings relating to USB in general, and USB keyboards in particular - perhaps one of them is disabled when it shouldn't be?

I agree with him 100%. Most newer mobo's have a setting in the bios for USB Keyboard support. Just look in the bios for it and make sure you got it enabled. When you do that you won't have that problem any more.

 

[Dim]

Thanks for the advice, but I did look and it wasn't there. Besides, I would think I couldn't get into bios by pressing the DEL key unless the BIOS was already recognizing the keyboard.

 

[Bremen]

The computer will recognize the keyboard, since I can get into BIOS with it and it works fine under Windows.

Thanks for the advice, but I did look and it wasn't there. Besides, I would think I couldn't get into bios by pressing the DEL key unless the BIOS was already recognizing the keyboard.

That would be correct. I don't use grub unfortunately so I can't comment on if it can be made to work, however I do use lilo with my usb keyboard. If you've never used lilo I suggest using the adapter to plug it back in the ps/2 port :-( Or hopefully some grub guru can impart their wisdom :0)

 

[mcveigh]

can you plug a keyboard into a ps2 port to try changing the bios?

 

[Abzstrak]

see if there is a setting in the bios for USB compatibility mode or something to that effect, it should do what your looking for. The newer bios's always enable the USB keyboard during post no matter the settings so you can get in and make changes, it soesn't mean that it will work in grub or similar.

 

[Dim]

I appreciate the responses. I ddin't realize BIOS would recognize USB keyboards without my telling it to and then not support it in the OS. I am away from the computer until the weekend, so will have to look into this more carefully. Still, the first time I looked I didn't see any option in BIOS to explicitly support a USB keyboard.

I wonder if installing Linux with the PS/2 keyboard would make Grub recognize only that type of keyboard?

I have used LILO in the past, but stopped when I wanted Linux installed on a partition on top of a Windows partition larger than 8 Gig. I guess LILO supports that now, so I could try that.

Anyhow, other experience/advice would be appreciated.

 

[Abzstrak]

no, install with a USB keyboard makes no difference. You not looking for a usb keyboard option in the bios, your looking for a usb compatibility setting. USB without the compatibility support requires drivers, so it wont work in the OS unitl drivers are loaded. (way after GRUB)