Single-User Mode, Input Problem

[madog]

I'm attempting to run the fsck command in single-user mode as part of my random maintenance (cause I'm too lazy to find my Leopard disk), but ran into a slight problem.

When I plug in my USB keyboard for this (otherwise I use BT) the keyboard works fine. As far as I can tell every key works when the system is running, and there is no problem getting into single-user mode at startup. However, the keyboard no longer works once in single-user mode. I can't type anything in or use the stop process command (something like ctrl or alt and Z or X or C, I couldn't remember so I tried them all).

I thought maybe the computer was frozen in single-user mode, but here's the strange thing, it's 'working'. If I unplug my external BT card, some error will report on the screen about the connection, and the same if I plug it in if it wasn't to begin with.


So basically, I can boot into SU mode, the machine does not crash, but I can't type anything in.

I don't have another USB keyboard atm, as the one I have is the backup to the BT,

I do have a USB 2.0 PCI card which I tried with the keyboard plugged into it, as well as directly into the original USB ports,

I tried unplugging all my peripherals except the PCI card (and keyboard).


Any insight to this would be much appreciated! Thanks,




EDIT: I don't know how, or why, but after attempting it again while using a powered USB hub (before the keyboard was plugged directly into the tower, no hub) I was able to successfully input commands with my keyboard in SU mode. Other than that, the only thing that has changed was a power outage which lead me to reset the PMU on my logic board. Strange and possibly unrelated, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[BlueRevolution]

I can't help you with the keyboard issues, but the stop process combo in UNIX is ^C.

 

[angelwatt]

System Preferences > Bluetooth > Advanced

There's a check box for "Open Bluetooth Setup Assistant at startup when no device is present." It's possible there's a conflict going on here between the Bluetooth ad USB devices. I would try unchecking the box to see if it improves the situation. No guarantees, but worth a shot.

 

[ravemeover]

Has anyone figured out a solution to this problem>? I have a few imacs and i find it is with the ones operating 10.6 or higher, i am using a dell keyboard. it also seems to happen on the late 2009 and early 2010 a1331 imac , it works on the 2008 line of imacs... The signle user starts up when i hold the Windowes key + S at the same time but when it comes time to input text its as if the keyboard no longer works, but if i unplug the keyboard and plug it back in the command prompt sees that.... Any suggestions? I would love to be able to solve this problem. Thank you

 

[falconneil]

you need an older keyboard!

Believe it or not the new thin silver keyboards will not allow text entry at the single user window on an older (2007 and earlier I think) Mac. If you have an older white plastic apple keyboard use that. It will work!

 

[Bampelito]

The solution is to start the system up normally and open International in System Preference. Under Input Menu, select a new keyboard layout, then select US again. This worked right away for me.

Tested on iMac G3 500Mhz and Apple Keyboard 2007 A1243 Aluminium