Keyboard works when I hit enter after "boot:"
then slackware detects my keyboard as
"Input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /class/input/input2"
Next line is "Creating /dev/mapper/control character device with major:10 minor:62" (not sure if this line is keyboard-related)
and asks me to accept US keyboard layout or type 1 to change layout.
At this point my keyboard no longer works.

I have tried
1. editing Bios settings to disable/enable usb input but no effect.
2. other keyboards - all ps/2.
3. checking keyboard works on windows - current os on pc. It does.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Is there a way of telling slackware which keyboard-type to use and over-ride the auto-detect facility?

well there's no need for bios if window$ get's it.
can you press numlock? does it change? or is your keyboard inert?

Fedora Development

None of the buttons on the keyboard do anything after detection.

Might be better if you asked for this to be moved to the Slackware forum.

Yes. How do i contact a moderator?

Sorted.
Well the immediate problem anyway.

I was using a usb mouse and wondered if this was an issue.
I tried adding a ps/2 adapter to the mouse usb and hey presto! Keyboard now correctly identified as "Input: AT Translated Set 2 keyboard as /class/input/input1" and works fine.

Glad it's sorted out. If you had had to ask for it to be moved, use the Report button below.