I am VERY new to the Linux world, about 3 or 4 weeks to be exact, but I have been able to figure a few things out. They are as follows

Both Red Hat 8 and 9 have this same problem, being that after install with a USB keyboard they will get to a line that reads something like

apm: BIOS version 2.0 Flags 0x03...

I don't remember the exact phrase this morning, but anyway it hangs right there. It does not matter whether I am using GRUB or LILO, and adding
"apm=off" (without the quotes obviously)
to the boot options doesn't help

If I hook up a ps/2 keyboard it works fine. Also, when I do this and Kudzu rund it removes a configuration for my EXACT keyboard, USB hub and all.

I found out on a web site dedicated to GRUB that it is a known problem for a system not to boot without a keyboard, but this seems to be going past grub without problem, it seems to be in the kernel. Please don't tell me I have to compile a new one... I just don't have time for that right now. (enrolled in 21 credit hours for this semester and this is the light one)

Also, just FYI, this is a Dual-boot system with Windows XP on a FAT 32 partition with linux being installed second.

ANY input is appreciated more than you will ever know.
Sincerely frustrated,
Scooter

P.S.
Mandrake 9.1 booted fine, but I didn't really like it, and Knoppix works like a charm, in case that may help.

I image no one answered this because, well. So what? So it wont boot with a USB keyboard, you said you have a ps/2 keyboard, so you can use the computer...

I'd say you have to look up a howto for loading the USB keyboard module into an initrd file so the system would boot up with USB keyboard support...

Or just go buy a USB/PS2 adapter plug. Should cost a whole 3$

Since most people can head down to a discount store, get mice for 1$, keyboards for 4$, and joypad joysticks for 2$, no one really bothers if the usb version doesnt work. heh

I seem to recall that "USB legacy support" option has to be turned on in the bios for mice and presumably keyboards to work correctly with certain distros.

HTH
Baldrick

Well, Caeda

I had already figured that answer out. I just thought I might try to get some REAL answers to my questions. Seeing as both Knoppix and Mandrake 9.1 will load the keyboard, I just thought someone might know how to load the same support for red hat. That's alright though, I just decided to compile my own kernel based on 2.4.22 and go from there, so problem is fixed thanks for nothing.

you can't plug a usb keyboard into a ps2 adapter, won't work.... Those adapters are for usb mice and even they sometimes don't work right.