Bug#473364: installation-report: some install glitches (grub2, tasksel, serial mouse)
clone 473364 -1
reassign -1 rootskel-gtk
retitle -1 Support configuring mouse port (serial) and protocol
severity -1 wishlist
thanks
On Friday 04 April 2008, Paul Wise wrote:
> It worked when I added mouse-source=/dev/ttyS1 and mouse-protocol=MS
> to /etc/directfbrc since I have a 2 button Microsoft serial mouse on a
> serial card (onboard serial port is too close to the usb).
Nice. I'll see if I can add boot options for both (to start with).
> Do you know if directfb can switch to a different mouse after g-i is
> already started?
Well, we do a keymap switch, which is somewhat similar.
Not sure if this will work, but could you try the following just to check:
- boot the installer normally
- when the language selection screen is shown, switch to VT2 and add the
settings in /etc/directfbrc
- select language and country
- does the mouse work now when the keyboard selection is displayed?
- select a different keyboard layout
- does it work now?
> If so, it might be a good idea to have a mouse question
> before the keyboard one there in case the user doesn't know how to
> specify the installer command-line options for a serial mouse.
IMO this is too uncommon to ask the question by default. I think I'd prefer
to make it an option that is listed at the end of the main menu only.
Together with changing the debconf priority, debug shell and CD integrity
check options.
> Also, debian.exe could probably get the mouse information from Windows and
> add some pre-seed stuff to the installer kernel command-line?
Yes, possibly.
> > IMO the fact that it's no longer possible to configure X.Org to use a
> > serial mouse is a bug that should be reported there (at least, if it
> > really is not autodetected).
> > If they'd add a debconf question for it, we could probably preseed it
> > using the value passed as a boot parameter to the installer.
>
> There used to be debconf questions about the mouse (I used them when I
> only had a USB hard drive and booted it in netcafes), but they were
> removed on purpose according to Julien Cristau on IRC. I doubt the XSF
> would be willing to add them back, I guess I could file a bug about it
> though.
They were removed as part of the general cleanup of the config file. IMO
however it is a regression if that means some hardware can no longer be
supported without jumping through hoops.
Adding a debconf question that is only asked at medium priority should be
possible and the maintainer scripts could then only add the relevant
section to the xorg.conf as needed.
IMO it's definitely worth a wishlist BR, but I suspect the argumentation
will have to be good :-)
> It would also be good to pre-seed gpm's debconf questions too.
AFAIK gpm is not installed by default. Correct? If it is not I don't think
D-I should preseed it.
Cheers,
FJP
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