Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 14:53:19 -0500 From: Andrew Hesford <ajh3@usrlib.org> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: USB keyboard (MS) Message-ID: <20010509145319.A88778@cec.wustl.edu> In-Reply-To: <m1vgnay59l.fsf@zaphod.realtime.co.uk>; from wayne.pascoe@realtime.co.uk on Wed, May 09, 2001 at 03:19:02PM %2B0100 References: <m1vgnay59l.fsf@zaphod.realtime.co.uk>
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On Wed, May 09, 2001 at 03:19:02PM +0100, Wayne Pascoe wrote: > Hi all, > > According to the ukbd man page, I should be able to use my usb > keyboard as /dev/kbd1, using kbdcontrol to set this up. > > I can't do kbdcontrol -i < /dev/kbd1. It says > /dev/kbd1: Device not configured > > My first thought is that my keyboard is not a usb keyboard. It is a > Microsoft Natural. It has one cable that at a point splits into 2. A > PS/2 and a USB plug. > > Does anyone know if the USB plug is just for the USB hub that is built > into the keyboard, or if it can be used to drive the keyboard. > > Also, does anyone have any advice for a decent, preferably ergonomic > usb keyboard? I don't have a ps/2 port on my port replicator. > > Thanks, > > -- > - Wayne Pascoe If you have no PS/2 keyboard port, or no keyboard plugged into the PS/2 bus, then the USB keyboard is recognized as /dev/kbd0 like any standard keyboard. When you plug it in, check any logs for messages about finding a USB keyboard... this will tell you if it is recognized. NOTE. Even Logitech, who is beginning to turn everything into a USB device, highly recommends using the PS/2 adapter if possible. The ideal place for a keyboard and mouse is on a dedicated bus. Plus, unless it's a simple misconfiguration, one stage of the bootloader doesn't recognize USB keyboards. That means you can't interrupt boot and get a prompt. If you want a good ergo USB keyboard, I have the Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro, with the rubber keys. They make great function keys. The standard keys have a nice feel, the layout is good, and it's cordless. You can't get any better than that. I bought it as the "Cordless Freedom Pro" set, complete with the mouse, and I have the keyboard plugged into the PS/2 port (it's a native USB device), and the mouse in the USB port. This allows me to also connect a PS/2 trackball and have two mice... it's really cool. -- Andrew Hesford ajh3@usrlib.org usrlib.org may not be recognized by the entire DNS system yet... you can also reach me at ajh3@chmod.ath.cx until usrlib.org works normally. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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