Still no mouse cursor after GPM instructions in BLFS 11.3

peristaltic · 03-17-2023, 09:27 PM

I've started working through parts of the BLFS book in order to build a useful system. One of the first things I would like is a console mouse.
I followed the directions in GPM-1.20.7 and yet I don't get a mouse cursor upon boot or at all. I have rebuilt the kernel with mouse support. Built and installed the package. Ran the systemd unit command to get it to run at boot time. Still no mouse.
From what I understand of the instructions, I don't need to run any further commands to activate my mouse. But I get no cursor either at the command prompt or within Lynx.
Any suggestions welcome. I'll supply the output of any relevant troubleshooting command. Thanks.

anak_bawang · 03-18-2023, 08:28 AM

Probably worng device type at gpm configuration.

GPM is by default started with the following parameters: -m /dev/input/mice -t imps2.

Maybe this can help.
Note that in this example, the LFS built in Virtual Environment.

1. Find mouse device

Code:

# ls -l /dev/input/by-id
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 18 20:18 usb-VMware_VMware_Virtual_USB_Mouse-event-mouse -> ../event4

So mouse device is /dev/input/event4

2. Find mouse type

Code:

# gpm -m /dev/input/event2 -t help
gpm 1.20.7
Available mouse types are:

r name   synonym         description

  mman     The "MouseMan" and similar devices (3/4 bytes per packet).
            Synonyms: Mouseman
  ms       The original ms protocol, with a middle-button extension.
            Synonyms:
  acecad   Acecad tablet absolute mode(Sumagrapics MM-Series mode)
            Synonyms:
  bare     Unadorned ms protocol. Needed with some 2-buttons mice.
            Synonyms: Microsoft
  bm       Micro$oft busmice and compatible devices.
            Synonyms: BusMouse
  brw      Fellowes Browser - 4 buttons (and a wheel) (dual protocol?)
            Synonyms:
  cal      Calcomp UltraSlate
            Synonyms:
  calr     Calcomp UltraSlate - relative mode
            Synonyms:
  etouch   EloTouch touch-screens (only button-1 events, by now)
            Synonyms:
  evdev    Linux Event Device
            Synonyms:
  exps2    IntelliMouse Explorer (ps2) - 3 buttons, wheel unused
            Synonyms: ExplorerPS/2
  js       Joystick mouse emulation
            Synonyms: Joystick
  genitizer "Genitizer" tablet, in relative mode.
            Synonyms:
  gunze    Gunze touch-screens (only button-1 events, by now)
            Synonyms:
* imps2    Microsoft Intellimouse (ps2)-autodetect 2/3 buttons,wheel unused
            Synonyms:
  logi     Used in some Logitech devices (only serial).
            Synonyms: Logitech
  logim    Turn logitech into Mouse-Systems-Compatible.
            Synonyms:
  mm       MM series. Probably an old protocol...
            Synonyms: MMSeries
* ms3      Microsoft Intellimouse (serial) - 3 buttons, wheel unused
            Synonyms:
  ms+      Like 'ms', but allows dragging with the middle button.
            Synonyms:
  ms+lr    'ms+', but you can reset m by pressing lr (see man page).
            Synonyms:
* msc      Mouse-Systems-Compatible (5bytes). Most 3-button mice.
            Synonyms: MouseSystems
  mtouch   MicroTouch touch-screens (only button-1 events, by now)
            Synonyms:
  ncr      Ncr3125pen, found on some laptops
            Synonyms:
  netmouse Genius NetMouse (ps2) - 2 buttons and 2 buttons 'up'/'down'.
            Synonyms:
  pnp      Plug and pray. New mice may not run with '-t ms'.
            Synonyms:
* ps2      Busmice of the ps/2 series. Most busmice, actually.
            Synonyms: PS/2
* sun      'msc' protocol, but only 3 bytes per packet.
            Synonyms:
* summa    Summagraphics or Genius tablet absolute mode(MM-Series)
            Synonyms:
  syn      The "Synaptics" serial TouchPad.
            Synonyms: synaptics
  synps2   The "Synaptics" PS/2 TouchPad
            Synonyms: synaptics_ps2
  twid     Twidddler keyboard
            Synonyms:
  vsxxxaa  The DEC VSXXX-AA/GA serial mouse on DEC workstations.
            Synonyms:
  wacom    Wacom Protocol IV Tablets: Pen+Mouse, relative+absolute mode
            Synonyms:
  wp       Genius WizardPad tablet
            Synonyms: wizardpad

For event mouse device, the type is evdev.
For other mouse device, find the correct type.

So GPM parameters: -m /dev/input/event4 -t evdev

3. Edit gpm systemd unit file

Edit /lib/systemd/system/gpm.service file

Change default configuration

ExecStart=/usr/sbin/gpm -m /dev/input/mice -t imps2

into

ExecStart=/usr/sbin/gpm -m /dev/input/event4 -t evdev

4. Restart gpm

Code:

# systemctl restart gpm

peristaltic · 03-18-2023, 12:29 PM

Hi - Thanks for your reply.
The output of
ls -l /dev/input/by-id
has multiple lines as shown below.

Code:

total 0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 18 10:21 usb-Logitech_G9x_Laser_Mouse_0E6254FB9D0018-event-mouse -> ../event5
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 18 10:21 usb-Logitech_G9x_Laser_Mouse_0E6254FB9D0018-if01-event-kbd -> ../event6
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 18 10:21 usb-Microsoft_Microsoft®_SiderWinderTM_X4_Keyboard-event-if01 -> ../event3
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 18 10:21 usb-Microsoft_Microsoft®_SiderWinderTM_X4_Keyboard-event-kbd -> ../event2

Am I correct to assume that my parameters will be:
-m /dev/input/event5 -t evdev

I went ahead and restarted the GPM service but still nothing.

anak_bawang · 03-19-2023, 04:54 AM

Your mouse is Logitech G9X Gaming 5 Button.

Usually Logitech mouse is compatible with Microsoft mouse.

Try : -m /dev/input/event5 -t imps2
or : -m /dev/input/event5 -t exps2

If works, then it will be like 3 button mouse.

If it does not work, then change to event6.

After that, if still doesn't work, then I give up.