Microsoft Remote keyboard (lirc_mod_mce) in 8.10

[mike909]

First, I usually delete lirc_mod_mceusb2 from /etc/lirc/hardware.conf and replace it with lirc_mod_mce. The two packages historically conflicted,

I don't see lirc_mod_mceusb2 in /etc/lirc/hardware.conf. This process has caused my system to not boot (crashes during lirc loading).
Link 2 in Step 2 doesn't work.
I'm starting with a working remote (but not keyboard). Is there any way someone could fix the links, or explain this in a more understandable way?
Thanks.

[north_pole]

Anyone who have suceeded with this in Jaunty Jackalope 9.04?

[mike909]

I too have upgraded to 9.04, though i doubt it will be any easier to get the mce keyboard working.

[north_pole]

I've tried to follow these german instructions, which were the best i could find on the internet right now: http://www.chris-klein.de/2008/02/01/microsoft-mce-tastatur-vs-ubuntu-gutsy-lirc_mod_mce/

The first steps about the configuration of lirc-modules-source were not needed anymore because they were now automated, but I had to change line 1301 ("input_dev->dev.parent = &dev->dev;" instead of "input_dev->cdev.dev = &dev->dev;") in the "lirc_mod_mce.c" file in order to get the "sudo make" command executed. Then it worked well until I tried to run the insmod command, which said "-1 file exists". What's wrong?

[mike909]

corrected the link...
http://www.chris-klein.de/2008/02/01...-lirc_mod_mce/

[north_pole]

YEEES! Finally I've made it all work. Here's an HOW-TO for Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope 9.04:

1. Install some required modules with

$ sudo apt-get install lirc lirc-modules-source module-assistant

2. and then run the following command

$ sudo dpkg-reconfigure lirc-modules-source

3. Open the the hardware.conf file with this command

$ sudo gedit /etc/lirc/hardware.conf

4. Change two of the lines so they look like this:

REMOTE_MODULES="lirc_mod_mce"
 
LOAD_MODULES="true"

Save and exit.

5. Run the following commands

$ sudo m-a update,prepare
 
$ sudo m-a clean lirc
 
$ sudo m-a a-i -f lirc    (if this one fails, choose "skip and continue with the next operation")
 
$ sudo depmod -a

6. Download and unpack the attached files "lircd.conf" and "lircrc". Put them in /etc/lirc.

7. Now download the lirc_mod_mce v.0.1.5 file from http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...kage_id=203215, but be sure to download version 0.1.5 and NOT the v0.2.0. The later one has the famous "keypress repeats forever"-bug and should be avoided. Unpack the archive on e.g. your desktop.

8. Replace the "lirc_dev.h" file with the one located in "/usr/src/%YOUR_LIRC_VERSION%/drivers/lirc_dev"

9. In the file named "lirc_mod_mce.c", you have to change one of the lines:

input_dev->cdev.dev = &dev->dev;
 
to
 
input_dev->dev.parent = &dev->dev;

Save and exit.

10. Now, execute

$ sudo make

11. Create a new directory in "/lib/modules/%YOUR_CURRENT_KERNEL%" and name it "misc".

12. Some extra files have been created in the "lirc_mod_mce" directory.
One of them is "lirc_mod_mce.ko". Copy it to the new directory you just created.

13. Run

sudo depmod -a
 
modprobe lirc_mod_mce

14. At last we have to blacklist the "lirc_mceusb2" module. Otherwise it will
interfere with the "lirc_mod_mce" one and make all of our work useless. Execute:

$ sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

and add the line

blacklist lirc_mceusb2

on an own row e.g. in the bottom of the file. Save and close.

15. Reboot

16. And VOILA! Your MCE Keyboard should be working!

[mike909]

north,
Congrats. I look forward to giving this a shot (much of it looks similiar to steps Ive tried already). Hopefully it continues to work for you.
I did have one clarification request:

8. Now copy the file "lirc_dev.h" located in "/usr/src/%YOUR_LIRC_VERSION%/drivers/lirc_dev" to the map you've just extracted ("lirc_mod_mce") and swap the existing file.

11. Create a new map in "/lib/modules/%YOUR_CURRENT_KERNEL%" and name it "misc".

When you use the term "map" you are referring to a directory, correct? For example, just replace the file in the extracted "lirc_mod" directory, with the one from the "/usr/src/%YOUR_LIRC_VERSION%/drivers/lirc_dev"

Thanks for sharing...will post back with my results.

[mike909]

Success! North Pole, thank you for sharing.
I only have this to add...for those using "mythbuntu 9.04" distro be aware of the following:
step 5: fails on sudo m-a a-i -f lirc
says:

Module-assistant, interactive mode
Build of the package lirc-modules-source failed! How do you wish to proceed?
choices are:
view...examine the build log file
continue...skip and continue with the next operation
stop...stop processing the build commands.

So I hit "view" and it sais the file is "/var/chace/modass/lirc-modules-source.buildlog.2" but that file does not exist.
ls /var/cache/modass/:
mike@mike-desktop:~$ ls /var/cache/modass/
alsa-source.avail_version
bcm5700-source.avail_version
cdfs-src.avail_version
comedi-source.avail_version
cpad-kernel-source.avail_version
device3dfx-source.avail_version
drbd0.7-module-source.avail_version
em8300-source.avail_version
exmap-modules-source.avail_version
fglrx-kernel-source.avail_version
gpib-modules-source.avail_version
ivtv-source.avail_version
kqemu-source.avail_version
linux-wlan-ng-source.avail_version
lirc-modules-source.avail_version
lirc-modules-source.buildlog.2.6.28-11-generic.1241054121
lirc-modules-source.buildlog.2.6.28-11-generic.1241054326
lirc-modules-source.cur_version
loop-aes-source.avail_version
mga-vid-source.avail_version
openafs-modules-source.avail_version
openswan-modules-source.avail_version
qc-usb-source.avail_version
rt2400-source.avail_version
rt2500-source.avail_version
rt2570-source.avail_version
rtai-source.apt_policy
rtai-source.avail_version
sl-modem-source.avail_version
squashfs-source.avail_version
sysprof-module-source.avail_version
zaptel-source.avail_version

Just hit "continue" and follow the rest of north_pole's steps and it will work.

Oh, also north_pole, are you recieving any segfaults like the following? I am getting the following in kern.log:

Apr 29 21:14:58 mike-desktop kernel: [ 9542.722620] xfce4-keyboard-[11193]: segfault at 18 ip b7cc4fca sp bfd52970 error 4 in libgtk-x11-2.0.so.0.1600.1[b7ab2000+3a9000]

Keyboard still works though...and i'm happy about that.

[north_pole]

When you use the term "map" you are referring to a directory, correct? For example, just replace the file in the extracted "lirc_mod" directory, with the one from the "/usr/src/%YOUR_LIRC_VERSION%/drivers/lirc_dev"

I've now edited the post. "Map" is a false friend swedish<->english.

step 5: fails on sudo m-a a-i -f lirc

I got that error too, but apparently it didn't matter. Maybe the whole command is unnecessary?

Oh, also north_pole, are you recieving any segfaults like the following? I am getting the following in kern.log:

I haven't watched my log, but you seem to use XFCE instead of GNOME, which may be the problem?

[mike909]

XFCE is the desktop environment of the Mythbuntu distro. The segfaults don't seem to matter, as the keyboard still works.