Description of problem: I have a venerable IBM 84-key AT keyboard. It has served me well for 21 years, including in all releases of RedHat Linux since 5.1. When I installed RedHat Enterprise Linux version 4, it quit working. It works if I boot Windows or DOS. It works to select a system in grub. It quits working as soon as the system boots, even in single-user mode, so it's not an X or KDE problem that's causing it not to work. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): 2.6.9-5.0.5.ELsmp How reproducible: Every time I plug in the keyboard to the PS/2 port, via an AT (DIN-5) -to- PS/2 (mini DIN-6) adapter. Steps to Reproduce: 1. Plug in an IBM AT 84-key keyboard to the PS/2 port using an appropriate adapter 2. Boot the system 3. Actual results: Keyboard does nothing Expected results: Keyboard works as it did from RedHat Linux 5.1 until RHE 3 (kernel 2.4.21-27.0.2.ELsmp) Additional info: I got the keyboard to sort-of work by connecting it to the USB port via a PS/2-to-USB adapter. There is something wrong with the adapter, USB port, or driver software, however: It forgets what shift keys are depressed. For example, if I try to type ")*" (as frequently occurs in development of scientific software), I frequently get ")8" which clearly indicates that somebody forgot that the shift key is still depressed. It works fine if I release and re-depress the shift key -- but that hadn't been necessary at all until RH4 and until I connected the keyboard via the PS/2-to-USB interface. CTRL and ALT have the same problem.
This apparently does not depend on an IBM 84-key AT keyboard. I have the same problems with a Compaq model RT101 keyboard (101-key PS/2). The computer is Dell model 530, service code CDKMQ01, BIOS A09.
Keyboard works correctly on PS/2 port if USB legacy support is disabled in the BIOS. This was not necessary with kernel 2.4.21-27.0.2.ELsmp.
What does happen if you add "usb-handoff" into grub.conf (where root= is)?
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