Linux + USB

[JohnDoh2]

Let me start off by saying that for the day or two that Mandrake 8.1 works i love it... then it simply stops recognizing anything USB!!

I have installed it on my system at least 5 times now, and without fail for some $(#$&)(*) reason USB (keyboard, mouse...) stop working. I know some of you say why use a USB mouse and keyboard, i ask why not? I read this and many other boards and see no other posts with this problem, it simply should work damnit!! What would cause a system to stop working after a couple reboots? Windows has no problem with the USB, ever. I am at wits end with this, i really, really, really want to learn linux, but damnit it is not worth the @#$^%@# headache anymore!!!!!!!!!!!

If anybody has any idea of how to correct this problem (without paying for new non-usb items!) i would greatly appreciate hearing them! I have not installed or removed any new hardware or programs (other than Linux), so that can't be the problem. I have not made any bios changes. I have not kicked or punched my system! I have not dipped it in the bath tub! I have pulled out plenty of hair (as if i had any to spare!).

I hope you will be more understanding than my lovely wife!!

Thanks
Doh!!

 

[SUOrangeman]

Hmm. I haven't had any problems with my SIX USB devices and Mandrake 8.1. Sure, not all of them are used, as I haven't tried to look for drivers on my own. Just for grins, have you tried unplugging and replugging the USB devices to see if things wake up?

-SUO

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

usb mice are pretty easily set up, but a usb keyboard is just askin for it!

i wouldnt even use a usb keyboard in windows....

you can get by without a mouse, but if your keyboard quits workin, you cant even fix it! hehe...the irony

 

[manly]

I can't explain intermittent USB behavior, but at least on SuSE Linux, USB modules are installed into an initial ramdisk. This ensures that the booting kernel has access to critical modules.

I don't believe the USB modules are required to be in the initial ramdisk, but perhaps SuSE does it this way for added reliability/fewer support calls.

In my limited experience, I've had no weird issues with USB and SuSE Linux. In fact, I've seen more issues under Winblows.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< In fact, I've seen more issues under Winblows. >>


yeah, setting up my usb mouse and gamepad took a bit of research, but once i found out how, it took like 30 seconds...and they work flawlessly.

however, under windows, if i unplug my gamepad and plug it into a different usb port, i have to REBOOT to use a usb (read: USB) gamepad. that is ludicrous. usb is supposed to be the epitomy of plug and play.

how lame.

under linux, i plug it in, my hard drive peeps (not literally ), and then it works. no stupid window pops up, no REBOOT......

 

[EmperorRob]

What make/model mouse/keyboard you using?

I've got the Logitech Cordless Freedom Pro combo and it works great under RedHat 7.2.

Have you tried compiling your own kernel?

 

[JohnDoh2]

Thanks everyone for your ideas... none worked but i appreciate the effort!! I do not plan to reload this thing again, now i simply must find a way to reformat the Linux partitions back to NTFS, bet that is going to be fun!!

I guess the thing i have learned about Linux is it is VERY unforgiving!! Until it is able to handle the simple things such as USB keyboards and mice it will not have a chance for the average persons desktop. In all my time using M$ operating systems i have never had such a simple item shut me down before. Thank god i have a cable modem and downloaded Mandrake... it looks like i got what i paid for!!

While i did not want to end by saying Linux sux, this experience sure has!!

Doh!!

P.S. That damn penguin was cute too, i really wanted to believe!!

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< Thanks everyone for your ideas... none worked but i appreciate the effort!! I do not plan to reload this thing again, now i simply must find a way to reformat the Linux partitions back to NTFS, bet that is going to be fun!!

I guess the thing i have learned about Linux is it is VERY unforgiving!! Until it is able to handle the simple things such as USB keyboards and mice it will not have a chance for the average persons desktop. In all my time using M$ operating systems i have never had such a simple item shut me down before. Thank god i have a cable modem and downloaded Mandrake... it looks like i got what i paid for!!

While i did not want to end by saying Linux sux, this experience sure has!!

Doh!!

P.S. That damn penguin was cute too, i really wanted to believe!! >>


you sound like me in a previous life. i installed mandrake, after the installer crashing on me about 8 times, and then after a few minutes (at most) on the desktop, it crashed. i used mandrake for a total of 10 minutes at most, between those little crash sessions. i was pretty ticked. formatted and forgot about it. later on, i figured i'd install XP for the hell of it. well, it would do the normal stuff, then ask to reboot, and upon rebooting to it, it would BSOD. i was ticked. looking back at it though, it was a good thing, not only because MS and XP are both evil, but because it caused me to install Redhat. I played with redhat for a while, and got to know linux. i had -quite- a few bumps along the way, but i liked it. finally i got sick of RPM and dependencies, and other things, so i installed debian. i am now a total linux convert. i use windows maybe 5% of the time at the VERY most now. if you're willing to deal with problems, annoyances, etc., you will learn to like linux (well, you probably will ), and learn from those experiences. every mouse that wont work and X foul-up is just another experience that helps you learn how linux really works. looking back at how much i knew when i installed redhat (how do i install a tar.gz??), and comparing it to now, its just amazing. i can only imagine how many fun things i will experience along the way

ok enough with the sappy linux love stories, the point is, if you really want to use your computer in a way that is conducive to learning, (not "next next next finish") you cant beat linux. or for that matter bsd, or most any unix (besides OSX maybe)

 

[DaHitman]

<<
I guess the thing i have learned about Linux is it is VERY unforgiving!! Until it is able to handle the simple things such as USB keyboards and mice it will not have a chance for the average persons desktop. >>




Tell that to the millions of desktops in the world that run Windows NT 4.0... STILL the MOST used desktop OS in the world..

..which for your information has ZERO USB support.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<<

<<
I guess the thing i have learned about Linux is it is VERY unforgiving!! Until it is able to handle the simple things such as USB keyboards and mice it will not have a chance for the average persons desktop. >>




Tell that to the millions of desktops in the world that run Windows NT 4.0... STILL the MOST used desktop OS in the world..

..which for your information has ZERO USB support. >>


most places that use NT dont use wireless keyboards

i remember the computers at my previous job that had NT....the IT people there were morons, i swear. you could use notepad to get to network drives and stuff....finally they took notepad off the start menu and disabled right clicking, so all you had was a start button with a couple proprietary programs and a blank desktop. i finally figured out that the desktop icons were there, just hidden. so you could click on the start buton, click it again, then hit tab to shift focus to the other part of the taskbar, and hit tab again to shift focus to the invisible desktop icons. hit return and there's your recycle bin. the drives were hidden, but you could get to scheduled tasks, and you could hit 'browse' and see everything...man i was so bored at that job....

ok enough of my rambling

edit: oh, yeah, and you could even write to the network drives. i could have overwritten the xml help database and everything, but of course i didnt

morons

 

[Abzstrak]

<< it simply should work damnit!! What would cause a system to stop working after a couple reboots? Windows has no problem with the USB, ever. I am at wits end with this, i really, really, really want to learn linux, but damnit it is not worth the @#$^%@# headache anymore!!!!!!!!!!! >>





<< In all my time using M$ operating systems i have never had such a simple item shut me down before. Thank god i have a cable modem and downloaded Mandrake... it looks like i got what i paid for!! >>



spend $5 on usb to ps2 converters...

or better yet just install windows.... Linux is for computer people, U need to be willing to learn something new, not have it spoon fed to you, if thats what U want U need XP.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

(how do i install a tar.gz??)


now there is one that had me rippin' my own damn hair out.. Amazing how simple it is though when you get it figured out

JohnDoh,

If mandrake don't do it for ya (didn't really for me either), try another distro. I am running SuSE 7.3 personal and have to say that is one of the easier(read: idiot friendly) Linux distros' yet.

 

[manly]

<<

<<
I guess the thing i have learned about Linux is it is VERY unforgiving!! Until it is able to handle the simple things such as USB keyboards and mice it will not have a chance for the average persons desktop. >>




Tell that to the millions of desktops in the world that run Windows NT 4.0... STILL the MOST used desktop OS in the world..

..which for your information has ZERO USB support. >>



That's a crock. My guess is that each of W95, W98, and W2K (considering each a separate product) have more desktop seats than NT 4.0. NT 4.0 was only adopted in businesses, and a lot of businesses jumped ship to W2K as soon as they could.

I'm not sure if WMe shipped enough seats to surpass NT4, but I consider that likely as well.

 

[JohnDoh2]

OK, i think the problem has something to do with HardDrake, when i open the Control Center and access the Hardware tab it try's to load HardDrake and it locks up and does not boot with USB, Sound or much else for that matter after. Therefore, i have loaded Mandrake again and will stay far away from HardDrake and the Control Center!!

Anybody else have this problem with HardDrake?

BingBong: Thank for your friendly advice!!!

DaHitMan: In no way did i mean to imply M$ was a good option, simply the only one that had worked for me so far!! The fact that i am trying Linux should show i am not happy with M$!

Abzstrak: You arrogant bastard!! It's amazing how a few of you who think because you fully understand Linux that your better than the rest, taint the image of the rest of the Linux user base. The system needs to run longer than 30 minutes to be able to learn anything you fool. If i was unwilling to try anything new i would never have loaded it so many times nor would i have come hear looking for ideas on what i was doing wrong. Your great advise, don't fix the problem just work around it by not using USB... damn i learned allot from you... thank you very much... asshole!!

Sorry to the rest of you who end up reading that, i just get so sick of these idiots who put people down for not having already acquired their level of knowledge. I really appreciate the help that i have received from others here at Anandtech... i have learned a great deal with your assistance.

Thank you!!

Doh!!