Ubuntu/Xubuntu Mouse & Keyboard Issue

[kkbjerga]

I've had Ubuntu 7.10 installed on this laptop in the past (in addition to XP Media Center ed), with no problems. This past summer I got rid of it because I didn't think I would use it much. Well, I've decided to try it out again, and after installing Ubuntu 8.10, I've noticed a strange problem.

I cannot figure out what triggers this, but shortly after startup, I am no longer able to click on any items on the taskbars at the top or bottom of my screen, except the firefox and ? icons. When I start up firefox, I can use my mouse to click on anything within the window, but cannot use the keyboard to type anything into the address bar or search box. I removed Ubuntu from my system entirely, leaving only XP. The next day I tried Xubuntu, in vain hopes that it would solve my problems.

Does anyone know what could be going on here?

I'm using a Dell XPS M140 - almost exactly 3 years old.

[leflorio]

The EXACT same thing has been happening to me. Previous versions of Ubuntu always worked fine, but my keyboard will stop responding. I also have a Dell XPS m140.

It's incredibly frustrating and it might soon drive me back to Windows.

[ilexius]

Hello,
I am experiencing these problems with my Dell M4300 (Ubuntu 8.10) as well. It seems to me that this is a bug described here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-power-manager/+bug/285323
Every time I change the brightness of my display by pressing "Fn + Arrow Up" the keyboard can no longer be used and the mouse only works in some applications but can no longer interact with the menus of the Gnome Desktop. Switching to another VT by hitting "Ctrl + Alt + F1" for example and then back to VT7 "Ctrl + Alt + F7" is a workaround.
I know it is no solution but as it seems by now this problem is not fixed.

Thomas

[sirebral]

FYI:

On the Dell Idea Storm they are currently progressing to support their systems with Linux distros. I am sure it is not an easy task to say the least.

You might also do a search for the backports. I know that helped with my Inspiron E1705 and it's wifi problems.