[SOLVED]Changed keyboard layout, now the keyboard doesn't work anymore -- at all

[Aero9000]

Hi folks,

I screwed up my Pardus 2011 and I need some help in unscrewing it .  I wanted to type a special character and I realized my keyboard wasn't set for handling international characters (for example, an "e" with two dots on top). So I changed to keyboard layout to PC 105 Intl. After I rebooted I can no longer type anything. In fact, I can't even log on because the keyboard is completely dead -- even the num-lock, caps-lock etc. keys don't work anymore. (Obviously the keyboard itself is OK, as I am typing this using the same keyboard.)

Which files do I have to change in order to undo the damage? I am still able to access the install partition.

Second, what do I have to do to be able to type an international character?


Thanks.

[owiknowi]

you probably still can access 'system settings' / 'input devices', then first go to 'keyboard' 'keyboard model' (probably generic 101-key pc or 105-key pc)

next go to the second tab 'layouts' and check the box 'configure layouts' and add a new layout.
set your keyboard to the proper settings for your locale (like e.g.: us, english (us), international with dead keys).

the last two lines of this post describe the same: http://worldforum.pardus-linux.nl/index.php?topic=4090.msg21821#msg21821

[atolboo]

I am still able to access the install partition.

What do you mean by "install partition"

Second, what do I have to do to be able to type an international character?

I always use  KCharSelect and is available in KMenu > Utilities
In KCharSelec I use European Alphabets and Latin-1 Supplement.

[Aero9000]

With your help I managed to fix it and here's how (short version  ).

When I got at the log on screen, using the mouse I selected command line for session type. I then logged in as root. Once I was in, I type "startx" to get a desktop. Then I followed owiknowi's hint to change the keyboard type and layout to the correct ones. I checked "Save settings system wide" and applied. It appears this last step was required in order to get the keyboard to work again.

Thanks y'all!

[atolboo]

In fact, I can't even log on because the keyboard is completely dead -- even the num-lock, caps-lock etc. keys don't work anymore.

and

Once I was in, I type "startx" to get a desktop.

do not fit together    (I was figuring out a solution wthout a keyboard)

[Aero9000]

The problem was that the keyboard was dead once I got to the GUI log on screen. Because nothing worked I could not enter the password or escape from the GUI by using the keyboard (CTRL+ALT+F1, F2, F3, etc. didn't work either). However, in the lower left left corner you have options to choose a session type -- with the mouse. There I chose "command line". Once I selected that option, the GUI was terminated and I got to a terminal, where I was able to log on because here the keyboard did work. Once logged on to the terminal as root I typed "startx" to get to the desktop (because I was already logged on, I didn't have to re-enter the password). At the desktop once again the keyboard was dead. But with the mouse I was able to enter the settings menu and make the changes you proposed.

[atolboo]

  for the explanation.