From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Sun Oct 31 07:16:16 2010 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 76E7F106564A for ; Sun, 31 Oct 2010 07:16:16 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from freebsd@edvax.de) Received: from mx02.qsc.de (mx02.qsc.de [213.148.130.14]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id C5DCD8FC15 for ; Sun, 31 Oct 2010 07:16:15 +0000 (UTC) Received: from r55.edvax.de (port-92-195-8-222.dynamic.qsc.de [92.195.8.222]) by mx02.qsc.de (Postfix) with ESMTP id 4FD151D93C; Sun, 31 Oct 2010 08:16:14 +0100 (CET) Received: from r55.edvax.de (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by r55.edvax.de (8.14.2/8.14.2) with SMTP id o9V7GD2w002203; Sun, 31 Oct 2010 08:16:13 +0100 (CET) (envelope-from freebsd@edvax.de) Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 08:16:13 +0100 From: Polytropon To: Gary Kline Message-Id: <20101031081613.2a309c0a.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <20101031065827.GA3034@thought.org> References: <20101031065827.GA3034@thought.org> Organization: EDVAX X-Mailer: Sylpheed 2.4.7 (GTK+ 2.12.1; i386-portbld-freebsd7.0) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: no spaces .... X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list Reply-To: Polytropon List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 07:16:16 -0000 On Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:58:31 -0700, Gary Kline wrote: > Looks like the spacebar on my clicky keyboard is busted. Same thing > on FBSD as on the desktop [[ubuntu]]]. I'm typing this on my > laptop. Seems like every other key works. You can remap one of the unused advertising keys (those that are for "Windows" to be an additional space key. The keycode should be 115 or 116 or similar. I can't check as I do not own ANY keyboard with "Windows" keys on it. You can easily find it out by (installing and) running % xev and pressing those keys - the number will then be displayed, and by default, a key symbol should be assigned. Here's an example: KeyPress event, serial 27, synthetic NO, window 0x1200001, root 0x73, subw 0x0, time 18453834, (43,160), root:(203,623), state 0x10, keycode 115 (keysym 0xffe7, Meta_L), same_screen YES, XLookupString gives 0 bytes: XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: XFilterEvent returns: False KeyRelease event, serial 27, synthetic NO, window 0x1200001, root 0x73, subw 0x0, time 18453902, (43,160), root:(203,623), state 0x18, keycode 115 (keysym 0xffe7, Meta_L), same_screen YES, XLookupString gives 0 bytes: XFilterEvent returns: False This is the left Meta key on the Sun USB keyboard I'm currently using: Its keycode is 115, the symbol currently assigned is Meta_L. If you would want to make that an additional space "bar", create ~/.xmodmaprc and code keycode 115 = space Your X startup file (~/.xinitrc or ~/.xsession) should load this file if present: [ -f ~/.xmodmaprc ] && xmodmap ~/.xmodmaprc This would be a simple workaround for nonworking keys. > Another thing is that the ctl key seems not to work. IF I type > A ^c I get c. ^D yields simply d. Same here, keycode 115 = Control_L keycode 116 = space could be a temporary solution. > Is here any chance this can be a > software glitch? Could be possible - I've experienced something similar with a nonworking left shift key, or keys stuck in "control mode". A bit "hammering" on the keyboard and some focus-shifting solved the problem. It does happen once a few months and is not predictable. Maybe some USB issue? Polling? > Can't see how tho since I can KVM button from > a konsoleon tao [desktop] to an xterm on ethic.... No spacebar. So switching over from one system to another does keep the problem... maybe a mechanical or electrical problem caused by the keyboard? > Suggestions? This might be time to buy a USB "clicky" kybd. In any case, try to check with "xev" and see what - IF - really happens when pressing keys. I can recommend the Sun USB keyboard (I have model 6 here, but model 7 should be fine, too). It's not IBM clicky quality, of course. It's not clicky at all. But it's very comfortable and feels still good in use. The 2x5 plus 1 extra keys on the left and the 4 on the right are wonderful add-ons - fully programmable and usable (I use them for window sizing, rolling, focusing, and starting programs, as well as for volume control, lock session, log out and shutdown); Compose is also a nice feature, as well as the real Meta keys. You can get them for cheap via eBay, for example. Pay attention to get a USB model - you won't be able to use the regular serial ones (with the round plug) on a PC. This is the only USB keyboard I have. All other systems use PS/2 IBM keyboards intendedly. Never had a problem with them, even after Cola shower and disassembly. :-) -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...