I haven't ruled out a physical hardware issue. The OS was detecting the device. Its not a USB device, its a PS/2 device which isn't something I work with often. This was a few months ago so don't recall much of what I was tried.

I've had Endevor then Mint on that device over a few years. I consider myself competent with Linux.

One of these days I'll make a post and ask for help. Making a Lemmy post that Linux isn't working with a old Thinkpad hardware is like dumping chum in shark infested waters.