How can I disable a notebooks built-in keyboard - before the login screen.
I have a non functioning built-in keyboard on my notebook. In it's current state it types characters randomly. I am using an external keyboard, and would like to avoid problems logging in
I searched and found some solutions, like scripts - but I need one that works before the login screen.
Well, I could suggest a hardware-based solution. You could look up the laptop's manual, open it (screwdrivers, etc.), find the connector that links the in-built keyboard and the laptop's motherboard (on my HP dv3 this was relatively easy), and unplug it. Then you won't have any more inadvertent key presses. While you're at it, you could take out the keyboard and see if it's possible to clean it up to make it behave.
As for a software-based solution, you can put xinput set-int-prop 14 "Device Enabled" 8 0 (as per your current workaround) in /etc/rc.local. You need to insert your command in this file before exit 0. For details, see Is it possible to run a command before log in screen?.
Copied from comments above.
Add to the /etc/default/grub file, in the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT= line, so that line should read something like :
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i8042.nokbd"
Make sure the command is inside the quotes. It is a boot parameter and not a command itself.
then run
sudo update-grub
The i8042.nokbd shouldn't be added to the end of /boot/grub/grub.cfg file. It would be a syntax error there and will be overwritten as soon as you run sudo update-grub.
It sounds like you have issues whit sticky keys, that prevents you from logging in. (if that's correct then your only option are to remove the keyboard, from your notebook.
Google: How to remove keyboard "REPLACE THIS WHIT YOUR COUPUTER MODELNAME". And follow some guide its fairly simple.In most cases you don't even need to remove screws. go to http://www.aliexpress.com/ and order your self an new keyboard for that computer, and while you wait for it connect a external USB keyboard to the computer, and your able to log in.
You should clarify if you'r able to log into the computer, remote access it whit SSH or VNC. (then it would be easier for others to explain to you what to do.
if your able to log in you can try to open an new terminal type CTRL+ALT+T and type in
sudo nano /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Add
i8042.nokbd
in the the end of the file, and save the file
CTRL+X (type Y) and enter
and type
sudo update-grub
In the terminal
i8042.nokbd shouldn't be added to the end of /boot/grub/grub.cfg file. It would be a syntax error there and will be overwritten as soon as you run sudo update-grub. That string should be added to the /etc/default/grub file, in the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT= line, so that line should read something like GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i8042.nokbd", then run sudo update-grub.
xinput set-int-prop 14 "Device Enabled" 8 0to disable the keyboard. But, I had to type this everytime I turn on my computer. So, i asked a friend of mine about putting this command at the OS initialization. So I did what he said to do (Put the command in the init.d) , and now, i do not have to type the command everytime I turn on the computer. However, only works after the login screen, and after the Terminal opened.