no keyboard at login screen with 2.6.8 (but mouse works)

[Jonathan Chaus <jchaus@mail.utexas.edu>]

I just upgraded from woody to Sarge 2.6.8.  I have everything 
functioning (so far), except that when I boot up and get to the login 
screen I have no use of the keyboard.  I do have control of the mouse, 
and I can go to the console login, type anything, and then wait for it 
to return me to the window manager login screen.  At that point the 
keyboard functions properly. 

I know I am not the only one with this, because I have seen a listing of 
the same problem on debianhelp at:

http://www.debianhelp.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB_14&file=index&action=viewtopic&topic=7580&4

The solution suggested there is to upgrade to the sid window manager, 
but that was a couple of months ago.  I checked, and the sid window 
manager is the same one I have for testing (4.3.0).

If anyone has an idea.......

Jonathan

BTW,  I use a Compaq Presario 2100 notebook with an Athlon 2200+ 
processor.