HP omnibook XE4400

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 06:14 AM

I have a HP omnibook XE4400 at 1.8 GHz, 30GB etc. I tried to install RedHat Linux 9 on it. It takes the boot from CD and it all goes fine but when the media check page opens my keyboard does no longer work, neither the mouse. I tried installing with an keyboard from a desktop computer but the same thing happens. Can someone help me? I am currently running Windows XP on this laptop. If RedHat does not support this type of notebook can someone tell me a Linux OS that supports it and that is avalable for download for free?

XavierP · 01-10-2004, 06:25 AM

Did some searches:

This page suggests that you should update to the latest bios

In fact, doing this search suggests again, the bios needs updating.

Welcome to LQ

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 06:38 AM

Thanks for the info. But I do not know from where to update my bios and how. I am not very good with bios.

XavierP · 01-10-2004, 06:45 AM

Well, I would guess that the palce to go to is HP's website, if you then go fo Support and Drivers, type in your model, (I then selected XP) you will end up here.

You can then download the latest BIOS. It needs to be flashed from within Windows - here are the instructions.

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 07:16 AM

I have downloaded that program and followed the instructions but my bios didn't change in any way...

XavierP · 01-10-2004, 07:25 AM

What date is shown on your BIOS? I assume you flashed it from within Windows?

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 07:28 AM

Yes I now saw my bios changed a bit. I will try to install redhat again and tell you what I did.

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 07:32 AM

Ok I tried to install redhat again, but the same thing happens. I am downloading knoppix. Do you know if this will work ?

XavierP · 01-10-2004, 08:02 AM

Have a look at the first link I provided - that seems to suggest it will work fine.

serpisors · 01-10-2004, 01:27 PM

I downloaded knoppix and booted it. It recognises my keyboard and all the other hardware but I do not know how to install redhat using it.

dwalters128 · 02-07-2004, 07:01 AM

You should be able to install Redhat straight, no problem, just do this....

When you can see the system starting to boot from the CD, just keep presing CAPS/LOCK about twice every second, until you get the first prompt to enter something.

Sounds pretty dumb I know, but works ! :-)

The Bad Penny · 02-07-2004, 07:48 AM

Why dont you try MEPIS, its a relatively new debian based distro,
I have a HP Pavilion ze5354 and MEPIS detects and sets up all my hardware (even the winmodem) I couldnt get Red Hat 9 to install very well on it and Mandrake 9/9.1/9.2 didnt like it much either.

Check it out at www.mepis.org

teona · 02-08-2004, 05:15 PM

Hey I had the same problem and it's caused by the usb <-- so at the install prompt just add this;

"nousb idebus=50" and you'll have the keyboard working at the install :