Newbie questions
 

Hi, my name is Marlin, and I'm a Newbie. The IT folks at work recommended Ubuntu, and talked me into trying it at home. Since I had to re-install the original operating system, I figured to make it a dual boot system. SO..I have a generic desktop computer, running XP on one partition, and Ubuntu 8.10 on the second partition. So far, so good. Here's the rub, though. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse. When the computer reaches the bootloader, I cannot choose which system to boot, because the drivers for the keyboard are not yet loaded. Can anyone tell me how to get the drivers loaded before the bootloader, if it is even possible? Thanks in advance.
Marlin

Easy solution is to also connect a wired keyboard just to select the bootloader. Then, use the wireless keyboard after you have booted up. Adding the driver to the bootloader is not a newbie task! With that said, what bootloader are you using? What wireless keyboard? What wireless mouse?

Did the Windows bootloader support your wireless mouse and keyboard?

I'm using the bootloader supplied with Ubuntu. I didn't have to choose a boot before, I was just running XP. The keyboard and mouse are Logitech items. I don't know if the keyboard and mouse worked prior to Windows startup before, 'cause there was no reason to try. The Ubuntu install makes Ubuntu the first choice, which is fine with me, as I want to learn how to use it. However, the better half wants Windows 'cause she uses it at work all the time. I did hook up the wired keyboard for her to use, but I was hoping for a more elegant solution. As for adding drivers not being a newbie chore, I can whine to the IT guys, but they make fun of me when I do that!

Exactly what models?

If the `better half` wants to use Windows, then at the bootloader Windows can be selected with the wired keyboard. Then, you can switch to the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. This works. If you want to modify the bootloader to recognize the wireless keyboard and wireless mouse, you can ask IT without whining? Welcome to Linux. If the better half can switch over too, no problem then.

OK, so the answer was really simple. I just opened the BIOS, moved to USB enabled for DOS, and the keyboard works fine. No need for two keyboards. Now everything works fine.

Marlin