I've installed Red Hat Linux 7.2-8.0 on my computer no problem. When I tried to install Mandrake 9.0 on my system, once it came to the install program, the USB keyboard stopped working. The strange thing is it worked until I got to the install program;the mandrake program that asked me how I'd like like to install it (hit enter to install, or F1 for options) worked. I've posted this on some boards and here's what I heard back.

1) You need to install it in text mode because X Window can cause a USB keyboard to lock-up.
I tried didn't work

2) You need to configure BIOS to make the bios run the keyboard not the operating system.
Not an option. I checked in BIOS and there was no option. I called tech and (the guy knew what he was talking about) I was told that the computer is basically USB oriented (nothing else) and it was made to be a Windows machine so you can't configure the BIOS to use bios to run the keyboard. It's only os. He also told me this was the most recent bios and the machine would not working running another bios.

3) You might be using a USB hub which could cause conflicts.
I don't have a hub unless my USB slots are considered one. I unplugged the mouse and left the keyboard in by itself and I got the same problem.

Any other ideas?

Oh enlightened one... have you considered maybe using a ps2 keyboard? Amazing isn't it?

Or just pick up a USB -> PS2 adapter from your local computer store. They work great.