[GRLUG] Knoppix with mouse problems?

[John J Foerch]

Bob Kline writes:
 > I tried V4.4.3 of DSL on the old hardware,
 > and the PS/2 mouse worked.  Alas, DSL is
 > still using the 2.4 version of the kernel, so I
 > expected as much.  Even V4.4.10 is using
 > version 2.4.31 of the kernel.
 > 
 > So far the only consistent theme is that a
 > distribution with a 2.4 kernel works on my
 > old motherboard, and one with a 2.6 kernel
 > does not.  This is just for fun, since the end
 > result would be a very limited system in any
 > case.  At most it's interesting to the extent
 > that "Linux" is embodied in the kernel, not
 > the endless apps that are hung on it. So
 > perhaps somewhere deep down the drivers
 > do not completely support the chipset in the
 > old motherboard?  As pointed out by someone
 > here,  PS/2 mice have been around for a long
 > time now, and are ubiquitous.
 > 
 > I can still try to see whether a USB mouse
 > works....
 > 
 >   -- Bob

Did you try resetting the BIOS to defaults?  You could get lucky and
find a setting in there labeled: "Disable PS/2 mouse".  :)

People have commented in this thread that perhaps linux has abandoned
compatibility for some old machines.  I highly doubt that.  Linux is
renowned for its excellent support of ancient hardware--and renowned
for people porting it to all kinds of crazy devices.  It wouldn't be
linux that abandoned your hardware, but perhaps the compile settings
used by the distros you have tried.  Perhaps you should try compiling
your own 2.6 kernel for this machine.

-- 
John Foerch