4.02: standard PS/2 keyboard doesn't work!

I get no keyboard when booting knopix 4.02 on a new HP DC 7600. Tried 2 different keyboards, both standard PS/2 keyboards, with nothing extra.

The keyboard works at the boot prompt, but not afterwards. Not even in the console. I cannot type anything, and even Caps|Num lock keys don't work.

Any suggestions? (either for a fix, or for anothe LiveCD to try)

Thanks.

Turns out that the "usb-handoff" is needed to enable the keyboard.

I wonder what that is, and why it is not the default. Does it cause problems on other machines when it is on?

The machine on which this is needed is an HP DC 7600 with a standard PS/2 keyboard and an USB mouse.