Re: First Post

[Dave Poirier <eks@onee-san.net>]

Jim Gross wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I picked up an AlphaStation 200 4/233 a few months ago
> and it's in great working order.  I attached an old,
> usable DEC Starion keyboard and a generic mouse to
> round out the needed peripherals.  I then loaded
> Redhat 7.1 on it.  When I boot the computer, srm sees
> the keyboard and lets me use it.  But, when I get to
> the login prompt, the keyboard and mouse are unusable.
> Has anyone else had this problem before?  Is this a
> distro specific problem?  I want to download and
> install Debian on the Alpha since my x86 computer has
> Debian (and, of course, I've fallen in love with
> Debian.  What a distro!), but, I don't want to spend
> the time downloading it via dial-up if I won't even be
> able to log in and play with it (I plan on using it as
> a lightweight server).  Any thoughts/suggestions?  Is
> there some boot parameter I can pass srm that will
> make Linux see and use the keyboard and mouse?  Will a
> null modem cable attached to my other computer allow
> me to telnet in and login to it and get it setup? 
> Lastly, where does one buy a null modem cable at?
>
> Sorry for all the questions but I'm at wits end and my
> wife wants me to get rid of anything that isn't being
> used (like the DEC).  Thanks
>
> Jim Gross
>  
This is a problem with the Linux kernel that was compiled for redhat 7.1.
You need to compile your own kernel with support for this model of keyboard.

By default the Linux kernel have 'AT Keyboad' enabled and all other types
turned off.  In the 2.5.50 sources you also have the options to use 'Sun 
Type 4 or 5',
'XT Keyboard' and 'Newton Keyboard'.

I use a standard AT Keyboard with my AlphaStation 200 4/100 here, works 
fine :)

-eks
Dave Poirier