[xorg-edgers] hid_generic module missing from initramfs

[Richard Hansen]

After enabling the xorg-edgers PPA on my Precise system, I could no longer type the password to unlock my encrypted root filesystem at boot. It turns out there's a new module in linux-3.5.0-* called "hid_generic" that needs to be included in the initrd so that USB keyboards can be used during bootstrapping.

The auto_add_modules() function in /usr/share/initramfs-tools/hook-functions from the Quantal version of initramfs-tools copies the module to the initramfs; see bug #1017991 and <https://launchpadlibrarian.net/108712220/initramfs-tools_0.103ubuntu0_0.103ubuntu0.1.diff.gz>. Perhaps initramfs-tools should be backported to the xorg-edgers PPA.

I worked around the problem by adding "hid_generic" to /etc/initramfs-tools/modules, but I don't know if this will cause problems if I switch back to a linux-3.2.0-* kernel (which doesn't have this module).

$ cat /proc/version_signature
Ubuntu 3.5.0-15.22-generic 3.5.4
$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS
Release: 12.04

[Richard Hansen (rhansen)]

subscribing ricotz as instructed by https://launchpad.net/~xorg-edgers (most recent uploader of the linux and linux-meta packages)

[Richard Hansen (rhansen)]

Still a problem with the newer xorg-edgers linux-3.5.0-17.26 kernel.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Rod Smith (rodsmith)]

I'm not 100% positive I'm seeing the exact same issue, but I think I am. In my case, the xorg-edgers PPA is not installed, though. I've got a 12.04.3 installation on a Lenovo Ideapad laptop with an encrypted root filesystem. When I boot with a stock kernel, I'm able to type my encrypted filesystem passphrase only on the laptop's built-in keyboard, not on any USB keyboard I might have attached. The USB keyboard works fine in my boot manager and once the system is fully booted (for the X login screen, for instance); it's only when typing in the encrypted-filesystem passphrase that the problem occurs.

I worked around the problem by compiling my own kernel and changing several USB-related options changed from "m" to "y". I *THINK* that the relevant one was CONFIG_HID_GENERIC or CONFIG_USB_HID, but I made several simultaneous changes, so I can't be sure of that.

[legolas558 (legolas558)]

@rodsmith there is a load of bugs like this, I am going to compile the kernel myself as you did to fix the problem.