Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 21:19:50 EST From: "John Daniels" <jmd526@hotmail.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Installation floppies and USB Message-ID: <20000228021950.66111.qmail@hotmail.com>
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I have a system with only a *USB* keyboard port (no PS/2 or AT-style ports).
When I boot the installation floppies I get the message:
keyboard:no
After reading errata,release notes, etc., I learned that I should hit
'enter' and type '-Dh' at the prompt, which I did. Now the installation
proceeds until the kernel is booted and the kernel configuration menu is
displayed (with 3 options: skip config, full-screen, CLI-mode). At that
point my keyboard becomes unusable. I believe that this may be because the
kernel ('GENERIC'?) doesn't include USB support. USB support is supposed to
be compiled in *after* an install.
For my system, this is unacceptable. I now have a catch-22: I can't get USB
support until the kernel is recompiled, and I can't recompile the kernel
unless I can use the keyboard to install FreeBSD.
My system was created by a major PC Manufacturer (Acer) and I'm sure that
they have sold thousands like it. I'm sure that they are not/will not be
the only manufacturer to create USB-only systems. My system uses Human
Interface Devices (HID) USB. It is *CRUCIAL* that USB keyboards be
recognized "out-of-the-box" for current and future systems that only support
USB keyboards.
QUESTION: Are there work currently andy arounds/solutions in FreeBSD? When
can USB be available "out-of-the-box?" (I was hoping it would be in 4.0)
Lastly, the NetBSD install floppy recognizes my keyboard and lets me use it
during the install. Is there any possible workaround that includes booting
the NetBSD install disk, or installing FreeBSD over/after NetBSD?
NOTE: There has already been at least one other FreeBSD newbie who has
encountered this problem (also with an Acer box), and there seems to be a
fair amount of USB questions/discussion online.
Any info/help is greatly appreciated
John
jmd526@hotmail.com
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