How do I use my PS/2 (``mouse port'' or ``keyboard'') mouse?

Frequently Asked Questions for FreeBSD 2.X : Hardware compatibility : How do I use my PS/2 (``mouse port'' or ``keyboard'') mouse?
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3.8. How do I use my PS/2 (``mouse port'' or ``keyboard'') mouse?

If you're running a post-2.2.5 version of FreeBSD, the necessary driver, psm, is included and enabled in the kernel. The kernel should detect your PS/2 mouse at boot time.

If you're running a previous but relatively recent version of FreeBSD (2.1.x or better) then you can simply enable it in the kernel configuration menu at installation time, otherwise later with -c at the boot: prompt. It is disabled by default, so you will need to enable it explicitly.

If you're running an older version of FreeBSD then you'll have to add the following lines to your kernel configuration file and compile a new kernel:

        device psm0 at isa? port "IO_KBD" conflicts tty irq 12 vector psmintr

See the Handbook entry on configuring the kernel if you've no experience with building kernels.

Once you have a kernel detecting psm0 correctly at boot time, make sure that an entry for psm0 exists in /dev. You can do this by typing:

        cd /dev; sh MAKEDEV psm0

when logged in as root.