[Puritan]

I'm trying to be a Linux newbie and am trying to install Mandrake 8.0, but it doesn't seem to detect my mouse or keyboard. I have a Gateway desktop P2-266 with PS/2 for both my mouse and keyboard. In the initial text scrolling, I can see it say that it detects a PS/2 mouse port, but then when it pops up and asks me to choose a language, I can't use either my mouse or keyboard so I can't do anything. (My PS/2 mouse, just the mouse that came with Gateway, doesn't work if I boot in DOS mode either.) Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

Also, on a side note, do people recommend Mandrake over Red Hat? Red Hat is well-known, but I picked Mandrake since it is very highly rated on download.com (95% vs. 45% approval for Red Hat).

[stufine]

Not to be insulting but I have to say this, make sure they are plugged in. Have you tried using generic drivers?? Also Mandrake has alot more toys than redhat. So if you are new to linux i would recommend mandrake. It has cool games and tools on it. Otherwise they are pretty much the same.

[Puritan]

Originally posted by stufine
Not to be insulting but I have to say this, make sure they are plugged in. Have you tried using generic drivers?? Also Mandrake has alot more toys than redhat. So if you are new to linux i would recommend mandrake. It has cool games and tools on it. Otherwise they are pretty much the same.

No offense taken, but they are plugged in (I'm typing this message right now, after all, aren't I?) How do you use "generic" drivers during the Linux installation bootup? I just made a boot disk and followed that and it wouldn't detect my keyboard/mouse... I'm not sure how to use generic drivers for an OS that isn't actually installed yet.

[stufine]

Can you get past the part where you have text screen where it asks you if you want to enable rescue-mode, intall or upgrade, etc...

When the install starts it should ask you your type of keyboard and mouse.

A list should pop up of keyboards and then mice. Scroll up or down until you find the ones that say Generic 2 button serial or something to that affect.

Try installing from the Cd if you have one.

I have never ran into this problem so I am telling you what happens when you start the actual installation.

Does your num lock light come on?

I hope I am at least somewhat helping you out. I am just coming up with suggestions to try. )

[Puritan]

Yeah, the num lock light comes on (although that's a BIOS function, not a Linux one).

No, the installer is such that it asks you your language first before asking your mouse or keyboard. Since I can't use the mouse or keyboard, I can't enter anything in the language selection screen so I can't do anything after that. I tried pressing F1 to go to the help mode, but I don't know what commands to enter in the command prompt to allow the installer to detect my mouse or keyboard or whatnot.

[stufine]

Sorry I can't think of another thing to try.
I will continue looking for answers and let you know

[stufine]

Have you fixed this yet????