On Sunday 03 February 2002 11:39 pm, Bruce Burhans wrote: > Will my USB keyboard cause problems when I install 2.2r5? > I just ordered the CDs from TechBroker! ! ! ! ! > Now, I just need to order some courage....... > > Bruce<+>
most install processes that i've encountered tend to assume that there's a regular keyboard during the install process; but then again, i've never done an installation with a usb keyboard. current kernels do a pretty intensive search of regularly used ports, including usb ports, so it's quite possible that it will detect your keyboard and deal with it. for instance, i have a usb printer and not only does the kernel see it, but it even sends back the serial number of the printer. based on that, i'm assuming that whatever kernel comes with the distribution on the disks you're awaiting will do something similar with your keyboard. if not, do you have a regular keyboard on hand that you could use temporarily to facilitate the installation? if so, then you can reconfigure the kernel to read the usb keyboard--a process that is not at all as difficult as it sounds--then intall the new kernel, shut down the machine and restart to read the usb keyboard. in any event, it's all do-able, even though it might not be instantaneous. hold out for a while, and recheck the list to see if someone else with a usb keyboard chimes in. if no-one does, go ahead and try it. the other great thing about linux is that it spits back information about anything that it can't do. keep a pen and paper on hand and write down anything at all that you see but don't understand so that you can reference it later. from your past posts, i know that you've been reading the list for a while and that you're aware that using linux means getting more intimately involved with processes of the system that other operating systems pretend you don't need to know about. the best thing about using linux is that the user gets to be in control of what's going on in the box. the basic philosophy comes out of unix, where any application or process is designed so that it achieves only it's specific task with as little dependence or influence on other tasks as possible. even describing it all in these terms is difficult because one's orientation or perspective with regard to viewing the system as a whole is completely different when using linux, as opposed to the more prevalent closed systems, whether they come from redmond, wa, or cupertino, ca. rest assured that there is always a solution. in short, there ain't nohing that you've got that linus, or linux hasn't taken into account. if you need extra ensurance, email me offlist and i'll send you contact information to talk you through the installation. in the meantime, research any windon't product that allows you to manipulate disk partitions. foremost of all, before you embark on the installation, post details on the list about everything you know of your system, as well as everything you know of the distribution you plan to install. i hope this helps.
