A recent data recovery problem on my Mac's external HD sparked an interest in learning linux. I live overseas and internet is too expensive to use for downloading software, but i did find a copy of Knoppix 5.1.1 at a computer store. Loaded up - no problem - but no mouse. A search at Knoppix.net and others, reveals that this is a common problem that was first reported in January and as of yet still still has people posting. Apparently, earlier editions (5.0.1) are okay, but something was omitted in this edition.

I found one post here talking about Ndiswrapper, but am not even sure how to open the terminal in Knoppix without access to the mouse. Can any of the experts here offer their advice? Is there any hope for this newbie of making my Mac a Knoppix 5.1.1 box or should I start searching for something else?

Thanks!

I just found this information, but am not sure a) if it solves my problem and b)how to use it (especially without a terminal.) Any advice would be appreciated.

For those interested here is a link for Apple 15 aluminum powerbook info: http://tstotts.net/linux/gentoopb.html taken from http://www.linux-on-laptops.com (this is a wealth of info for all types of hardware.)

Mouse

Most versions of X11 support 3-button mouse emulation; however, it is not as configurable or robust as the kernel solution. If compiled-in, the kernel supports 3-button mouse emulation, configurable via sysctrl.

# zgrep '^CONFIG.*EMUMOUSE' /proc/config.gz

CONFIG_MAC_EMUMOUSEBTN=y

I prefer the ENTER key as Right-button and Fn-ENTER as Middle-button, where ENTER is the keypad enter key adjacent to the right-hand Apple command key. This way, the emulated buttons are adjacent to the trackpad itself.

# sudo grep mouse /etc/sysctl.conf

dev.mac_hid.mouse_button_emulation = 1
dev.mac_hid.mouse_button3_keycode = 96
dev.mac_hid.mouse_button2_keycode = 127

To use an external USB mouse, the kernel module usbhid must be loaded or compiled-in. Interestingly, some USB mice misbehave after a suspend-to-ram or a lengthy idle period; and they will never operate again unless plugged into a different USB port or a reload of the usbhid module. One such mouse with these troubles is: Kensington PocketMouse Pro Wireless 72117.

An adequte work-around for troublesome USB mice (and keyboards) is to compile the module usbhid as a module rather that compiled-in, and reload as necessary.

# zgrep '^CONFIG.*USB_HID' /proc/config.gz

CONFIG_USB_HID=m
CONFIG_USB_HIDINPUT=y
CONFIG_USB_HIDINPUT_POWERBOOK=y
CONFIG_USB_HIDDEV=y

# modprobe -r usbhid
# modprobe usbhid