PS2 Keyboard and mouse dead in FC3 on Dell Precision 530

[Keith Hunt]

> >>The i get an error when booting FC3 on a Dell Precision 530 ("i8042.c:
> >>Can't read CTR while initializing i8042").  The keyboard and mouse are
> >>then "dead" from there on--can't press a key and trigger kudzu before
> >>the timeout, can't type a username/password on the X11 login screen,
> >>etc.  Odd, since they both worked fine all the way through a graphical
> >>install, just not with the resulting kernel config.  Reading suggests
> >>apci/apic problem in i8042.c code, I've tried the suggested noapic and
> >>noacpi kernel line parms, but nothing's working.  I did include SELinux
> >>in "warn" mode in the install, FWIW.
> >>
> >>Installed FC1, and everything worked ok.  Will try FC1-->FC3 upgrade
> >>tonight.  Suggestions welcome.
> >>
> >>--jake
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Could this be the same bug described in:
> >https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=123535
> >
> >This was for FC2 but it may be still not fixed. It happens when you
> >are using the SMP kernel. If this is your problem, the only
> >workarounds I know are to disable legacy USB in the BIOS or switch to
> >the single processor kernel.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Thanks to both Keith and David for the legacy USB response. Would that
> the be "USB Emulation" setting on the Precision 530 BIOS, you think? It
> says its for OSes that don't have direct USB support. I'll have to set
> it "OFF" and reinstall FC3. Currently have FC1 running flawlessly to
> make sure it's not hardware on this new/used box (dual 2.2Ghz Xeons).
> 
> Doesn't look like bug 123535 exactly, but could still be a problem with
> the same code. It doesn't mention the i8042.c boot initialization error,
> though.
> 

I also have a Precision 530. I don't remember exactly how the BIOS
setting reads. I don't recall that it actually says anything about
"legacy", but I think it is the only one that mentions USB and "USB
Emulation" sounds right. I turned it off and haven't had any more
problems with the keyboard/mouse with the SMP kernels for FC2. The USB
port seems to work OK as well, although the only thing I have
connected to it is a DVD writer.

-- 
Keith