I think i've solved the problem. If you remember i tested both boards on
windoze and worked fine. On ubu one was a little better than the other
but slightly i thought. BOTH these keyboards are same model same
manufacturer.

I just happened to call in at a well known supermarket and their
computer stuff caught my eye. They'd got some black standard keyboards
which i prefer and bought one. Just been typing for an hour on ubu and
no problems.

SO ANYONE KNOWLEDGEABLE ON KEYBOARDS - AND HOW THEY CAN DIFFER BETWEEN
MANUFACTURER.

Crazy but true - i promise. Someone on the Ubuntu forum had had a
similar problem with 7.04.

I have a Microsoft white ergonomic keyboard and I just recently noticed
that upon building a Shuttle XPC (unfortunately with Windows) that it
was not recognized. I had to plug it in via usb. When I retuned my
keyboard back to my own computer, it wouldnt work via usb or the normal
connection. After two reboots it was finally recognized. I have never
had that happen before.

I have heard of lots of problems with USB. I
installed a driver for something a while back and then found something
else wouldn't work [aah i remember now - my marble mouse stopped
working. I found it worked via USB on my work laptop but not on my
machine]. I'm not a fan of USB - for internet connection i'm staying
with cables! My keyboard was the PS2 only - so i was surprised.

USB's are usually shared on computer and changes in what you plug in
mean re-loading drivers, so best with those cables.