Allow USB keyboard to type in FDE password

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
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1

I recently installed Ubuntu 14.04.3 LTS on my Dell E6430 laptop and had Ubuntu encrypt the entire disk. Everything is working fine and dandy, but when I have the laptop in the docking station, I cannot use the connected USB keyboard to type in the password to unlock the drive. I have to open the laptop and use the laptop's keyboard to type it in.

I assume this is some sort of security feature, but is there a way to disable it so I can properly use my laptop in its dock?

Thanks!

2

sounds like you won't be able to get around this.

The password entry is before the os even boots, right? If so, there's nothing in place yet to init all that external hardware.

3

It appears to be a pre-OS boot environment, but I've seen other disk encryption solutions allow external hardware to be used. For instance, Symantec's FDE solution allows the use of external input devices.

4

@LeeTheENTP This is LUKS and dm_crypt.

It seems like it's a console setup issue.

What kernel are you using?

There may be some settings you need to change on the GRUB configuration to get the console set up properly to read from the USB keyboard. does the USB keyboard work on the GRUB screen?

5

I'm on kernel version 4.2.0-30-generic, and the keyboard works on the GRUB boot menu.

6

Let's try updating the /etc/default/grub file.

you'll find an option that has splash in it. Replace it with nosplash and see if that helps.

Sometimes the bootsplash program doesn't properly capture usb keyboards on laptops.

Hope this helps!

7

I replaced 

quiet splash

with 

nosplash

and am now rebooting.

UPDATE: I still cannot use the USB keyboard.

UPDATE 2: I forgot to run update-grub. One second.

UPDATE 3: There was no GUI so it updated properly, but the keyboard still did not work.