Why doesnt my keyboard/mouse work sometimes on Ubuntu 9.04?

[riahc3]

Hey

I have this issue on my Dell Vostro 1510 that sometimes the keyboard and mouse do not work. I arrive at the logon screen where it asks me for my username and the keys do not type, the mouse does not move, and my only way to interact with the PC is pressing my power button. It is annoying and sometimes it doesnt work 5-10 times and another power down then up and it works. Sometimes once and power down then up and it works.

It ALWAYS works on Windows 7 so it is not a problem with the keyboard and it has happened on past versions of Ubunutu.

What is the cause of this?

[asbloodrunsblack]

Same computer same problem!

[sunwatt]

I have a refurbished Dell Mini 9, and at home I have always plugged in an external keyboard.

I discovered that when I took just the Mini 9 to town, I had this problem!

My OS is Linux Mint 7.0 Gloria.

As soon as I come home, I leave my external keyboard un attached, and same problem, no keys work, cant log in, and the mouse pad doesnt work.

Then I plug in my usb hub with external mouse, and keyboard, and I can type in my name and password.

My friend with a Mini 9 said return this thing and exchange it for another refurbished Mini 9.

Now I see this thread and Im not sure what to do.

Jim

[asbloodrunsblack]

im sure its not your laptops problem.. just an ubuntu drivers issue with dell products.. i'm having an issue reading dvds on my laptop as well

[sunwatt]

Thank you for the vote "keep the laptop"... LOL My friend who introduced me to Ubuntu/Linux Mint thought it had to be hardware. Then I showed him this thread. he respects the Ubuntu forum, so your comment is a big help for me and my friend to figure out what to do.

At home, with the USB hub (keyboard-mouse) connected I have nothing but JOY using my Mini 9 with Liunx Mint.

I also have a Dell Mini 10V with Ubuntu 9.04 installed - It came with Ubuntu 8.04 on it from Dell. I can take it to town, and the keyboard issue never happens to it.

The Mini 9 came with a 8gb SSD and XP, it would hardly get out of its own way.

I made sure it worked, and installed Mint 7 on it.

I've been using Ubuntu/Mint for 4 months now, after using Windows since the 90's.

Never going back.

Jim

[urugTON]

This 9.04 problem has been reported in numerous threads. Take a look at my post in http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1276043.

It's a pain to have, but the workaround is easy. Good luck.

[riahc3]

This 9.04 problem has been reported in numerous threads. Take a look at my post in http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1276043.

It's a pain to have, but the workaround is easy. Good luck.
Well at leat there is a workaround....

Reading now.

[riahc3]

Its a great workaround. Just requires adding one line to menu.lst I thought it was harder and you are complaining?

[sunwatt]

Is this a fix for all Dell laptops?

How and where do I go to make this change?

I'm very new to this, and need some real help if Im to pull this fix off.

My story has a little twist to it. HA

Linux Mint 7 is the OS, and Dell Mini 9 is the laptop.

External keyboard/mouse at home, never a problem.

If Im away from home the onboard keyboard hardly ever works at all, if it does work its buggy.

But when I run with a live Ubuntu 9.04 CD, onboard keyboard and mouse are OK.

I was ready to dump Mint, which I like a little better than Ubuntu 9.04 then I found this workaround.

Yesterday I thought my Dell keyboard was broken!

LOL

Today I know there is a fix.... relief!

Thanks for any help.

Jim

[urugTON]

So far as I know the problem and workaround only applies to Ubuntu 9.04 running on Vostro laptops - 13xx, 15xx and 17xx. I have an older D610 that works fine without the workaround and I never had the issue with 8.04 or 8.10 on my Vostro 1510.

Sadly, I would have no clue as to whether this applies to Mint or to Dell Minis. Since you are having no trouble with the Ubuntu 9.04 LiveCD, I would guess you have a different problem. My keyboard quit working the 2nd or 3rd time I booted up the LiveCD.

[sunwatt]

Thanks - I was hoping this was a workaround, but this is still helpful info to know.

Maybe I'll need to install Ubuntu 9.04 which wont be too bad.

Thanks

Jim