so turns out that input-modules is missing hid-lenovo, as copying and loading that driver manually makes my (usb thinkpad) keyboard work.
** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided => Medium ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Triaged -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel Packages, which is subscribed to linux in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1559692 Title: server image has no keyboard, desktop image works Status in linux package in Ubuntu: Triaged Bug description: xenial server image has no working keyboard but desktop image does. some udeb missing a module? To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1559692/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages Post to : kernel-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp