Im very new to this linux thing and i dled Slackware first but couldnt get it to install. So i got RedHat just to make sure i could run it atleast.. But no matter i will need to solve this before i run any Distro.. Problem!!: I can boot up Linux using the boot disk i created every thing loads but i cant use my mouse.. ( AOpen 5 button optical) i would assume this would havee to do with the drivers. so i went to their web page to see if they had drivers that supported linux which they dont.. so i was just wondering what i dhould do.. i can navigate on my keyboard fine but i dont know many of the linux commands to get around. Any insight would be much aprecieated.

Welcome to LQ.org, Psionic-X!

Optical mouse eh? Looking at the AOpen forum site, not many other users have had any luck with Linux. Two suggestions:

1. WHat's the output of this command:

dmesg | grep -i hid

?

2. Buy or use a PS/2 mouse instead (sorry).

Linux is free software, and someone has to write a driver to accommodate your shiny new optical mouse. It will get done, but not yet.

These things are set to test us. Keep your resolve.

Bert

hmmm where would i go to input that command.. im not at my computer right now so i cant toy around with it. it is a PS/2 Mouse it just has an optical track. But what mouse would you suggest thats known to work on these linux distros if i cant get this solved.

Ah, OK. Let me guess, it's basically a USB mouse but it comes with a PS/2 adapter ...

if that's the case then remove the PS/2 adapter and plug it into a spare USB port.

A standard wire attached PS/2 mouse or keyboard pointing device will work with linux. I use a very old 1980s Compaq mouse which works perfectly with RH8.0

Bert

Nope its not that either.. its a standard PS/2 mouse.. Could it be something with the install. because it gives you a big list of what type of mouse input it is. but i dont think 5 button ps/2 is on there.

maybe you can try standart drivers i got a logitech optical using standart driver for usb mouse which works fine if your mouse worked in install prog it should be working

I didnt use the mouse for installation. where do you get standart drivers??

in mouse configuration i choose wheel mouse usb (generic driver if i an mot wrong)

ill have to run the setup again when i get home to see if any of this stuff works. Thnx for being timley and all on thins board.

if you have a working setup you can use setup
just write setup and and press enter you do not need a graphical interface

Thnx guys.. i re ran the setup boot and cpnofigured the mouse to instead of 3 button generic to a wheel generic and that worked... Any other suggestion of anything i should do as a starter on linux????

Just explore. Play. Figure stuff out. Solve problems. HAVE FUN!

What do you use that mouse thing for anyway...?