[Solved] Problems with New Install (AC'97 sound, super key, menu.lst)

fhsm · 2009-01-10 13:14:21

I got Crunchbang installed yesterday and so far I'm really liking it. I've had an Ubuntu partition for years that I use to do particular things but I've never found it compelling enough to make a full switch. This so much closer to what I'd want a computer to be.

That said I've got a few problems with my Thinkpad T43 that I'm hoping for some help with.

1) I don't have sound regardless of source (system, mp3, youtube, whatever) or output (built in speakers or headphones). I've got it under Hardy and XP. I've tried un-muting under the #! sound control. But that more or less exhausted my knowledge of linux sound. Looking through the docs that came with my system I've got AC'97 sound and I think it's chip ad1918. lspci shows:

00:1e.2 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 03)

2) My system doesn't have a windows key / super key. Under windows I had mapped the right alt key to act like a super key. Is it possible to accomplish something like this under #!?

3) I'm triple booting right now (Hardy, #! and XP) my grub menu is a mess. I've edited menu.lst to have #! list as such instead of ubuntu 8.10. But I'm wondering if I can change the order of the listings? (I'd like to have #!, Ubuntu and XP at the top of the list and push the memtest and recovery options further down.)

Thanks in advance for the help!

Last edited by fhsm (2009-02-06 20:28:40)

DUDE · 2009-01-10 13:23:53

fhsm wrote:

2) My system doesn't have a windows key / super key. Under windows I had mapped the right alt key to act like a super key. Is it possible to accomplish something like this under #!?

All I know is that theres a program called "xmodmap" thats supposed to do what you ask for, try "man xmodmap".

fhsm wrote:

3) I'm triple booting right now (Hardy, #! and XP) my grub menu is a mess. I've edited menu.lst to have #! list as such instead of ubuntu 8.10. But I'm wondering if I can change the order of the listings? (I'd like to have #!, Ubuntu and XP at the top of the list and push the memtest and recovery options further down.)

Try chancing the order of #!, ubuntu and xp in the menu.lst file? Or perhaps you have already done that?

fhsm · 2009-01-10 14:57:03

DUDE wrote:

All I know is that theres a program called "xmodmap" thats supposed to do what you ask for, try "man xmodmap".

Little bit of googling suggest that this is an involved fix. Can someone elaborate or suggest an alternative?

DUDE wrote:

Try chancing the order of #!, ubuntu and xp in the menu.lst file? Or perhaps you have already done that?

I was really asking if I can change the order in menu.lst without screwing up grub. My linux knowledge is quite shallow, so I'm sure this is a basic question. Grub just seems like an opportunity to really screw the system up.

snowpine · 2009-01-10 15:01:27

Yes, you can change the order of entries in your /boot/grub/menu.lst file. I recommend creating a backup copy of your current menu.lst file. That way, if something goes wrong and your computer won't boot any more, you can boot with a live cd and restore the backup to get things back to the way they were.

AlexelA · 2009-01-10 16:58:41

fhsm wrote:

2) My system doesn't have a windows key / super key. Under windows I had mapped the right alt key to act like a super key. Is it possible to accomplish something like this under #!?
DUDE wrote:
All I know is that theres a program called "xmodmap" thats supposed to do what you ask for, try "man xmodmap".
Little bit of googling suggest that this is an involved fix.

Save the following in a file called .Xmodmap in your home directory.

keysym Alt_L = Super_L
keysym Alt_R = Super_R

Then type:

$ xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

You can use a program called xev to find the keysyms and keycodes and remap your entire keyboard if you like. Here's my favourite tutorial on the subject.

Last edited by AlexelA (2009-01-10 16:59:28)

fhsm · 2009-01-10 18:32:46

AlexelA - thanks so much for explaining that. I'll give it a try as soon as I get home tonight. The link to the tutorial you included didn't post correctly. I'd be interested in having a look if you get a chance to repost the link.

snowpine - thanks for the confirmation.

Anyone have any suggestions on the sound? Even tips on how to start trouble shooting would be helpful.

AlexelA · 2009-01-10 18:46:56

fhsm wrote:

The link to the tutorial you included didn't post correctly. I'd be interested in having a look if you get a chance to repost the link.

Woops! Sorry about that.

http://cweiske.de/howto/xmodmap/allinone.html

I'm not too sure what to say about your sound issues. If you had it working in Ubuntu, there really shouldn't be any reason for it not to work in Crunchbang. First thing I'd try is to type alsamixer in a console and make sure nothing's muted.

Last edited by AlexelA (2009-01-10 18:49:14)

fhsm · 2009-01-12 18:09:04

So I'm at 2 of 3 right now. Here's the update:

menu.lst changed w/o any problem.

Sound turned out a bit strange. The sound control under the main system menu showed that my sound was not muted. I could see changes made w/ my key-board sound keys on that main sound control but they didn't have any effect on the actual sound. When I entered alamixer I found that my system sound was in fact muted. So I un-muted it. That fixed the problem. Keyboard sound controls work as expected, main menu sound control works as expected. I can restart the system from #! to #! and everything still works. But if I boot into XP or Ubuntu and mute the system there then restart into #! I have to go back into alamixer and unmute again. Odd but not that big of a deal.

Still no luck on the super key. I followed your commands AlexelA and had a look at the tutorial (thanks it is a good one) but it still doesn't seem to be working.

I'm just trying to re-map my right alt key. So here's my ~/.Xmodmap

keysym Alt_R = Super_R

and here's what happens if I run xev and hit (and release the right alt key)

KeyPress event, serial 35, synthetic NO, window 0x2200001,
    root 0x65, subw 0x0, time 1298472, (286,-242), root:(897,395),
    state 0x0, keycode 108 (keysym 0xffec, Super_R), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 35, synthetic NO, window 0x2200001,
    root 0x65, subw 0x0, time 1298696, (286,-242), root:(897,395),
    state 0x8, keycode 108 (keysym 0xffec, Super_R), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
    XFilterEvent returns: False

This makes it look like I've actually applied the map successfully (Super_R) but still none of the super key shortcuts are working for me. In fact both the right and left alt keys are still working as alt keys (ex: right alt + f2 gets me a run menu).

Anyone know why?

AlexelA · 2009-01-12 23:17:31

fhsm wrote:

Sound turned out a bit strange. The sound control under the main system menu showed that my sound was not muted. I could see changes made w/ my key-board sound keys on that main sound control but they didn't have any effect on the actual sound. When I entered alamixer I found that my system sound was in fact muted. So I un-muted it. That fixed the problem. Keyboard sound controls work as expected, main menu sound control works as expected. I can restart the system from #! to #! and everything still works. But if I boot into XP or Ubuntu and mute the system there then restart into #! I have to go back into alamixer and unmute again. Odd but not that big of a deal.

Hmm ... Try this after you've set your volume levels:

$ alsactl store

You might have to sudo this command to get it to stick.

fhsm wrote:

This makes it look like I've actually applied the map successfully (Super_R) but still none of the super key shortcuts are working for me. In fact both the right and left alt keys are still working as alt keys (ex: right alt + f2 gets me a run menu).
Anyone know why?

Very odd. This worked fine on my desktop computer. What you might try is to map the Alt keys to the specific keycode of the right and left Super keys. To try this, paste this in your .Xmodmap file:

keycode 64 = Super_L
keycode 108 = Super_R

You code also try:

keycode 64 = keycode 133
keycode 108 = keycode 134

Let us know if this helps any.

fhsm · 2009-01-13 00:56:47

$ alsactl store fixed that problem, thanks for all the help.

Still no luck on the keyboard.
the keycode to keycode approach results in an error if the following is in my .Xmodmap:

keycode 64 = keycode 133
keycode 108 = keycode 134

I looked to see what 134 was mapped to on my system by default and what 108 was mapped to and did a swap of the two (I just want to remap the right side).
I put the following into ~/.Xmodmap

keycode 108 = Super_R NoSymbol Super_R NoSymbol Super_R
keycode 134 = Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R

Then ran $ xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap and used xev to check that the map was showing up as Super_R, it was. But still no luck using the key, it acts like an Alt still.

I've seen a lot of add mod# referenced in online documentation but can't seem to find anything that I can follow. Might some something like that be relevant?

I'm really hoping to get this fixed. It's a pain not having good shortcut keys. I know this is going to make this post epic but here's xmodmap -pke hopefully you'll see something there that will explain this problem.

Thanks

$xmodmap -pke

keycode   8 =
keycode   9 = Escape NoSymbol Escape NoSymbol Escape
keycode  10 = 1 exclam 1 exclam 1 exclam
keycode  11 = 2 at 2 at 2 at
keycode  12 = 3 numbersign 3 numbersign 3 numbersign
keycode  13 = 4 dollar 4 dollar 4 dollar
keycode  14 = 5 percent 5 percent 5 percent
keycode  15 = 6 asciicircum 6 asciicircum 6 asciicircum
keycode  16 = 7 ampersand 7 ampersand 7 ampersand
keycode  17 = 8 asterisk 8 asterisk 8 asterisk
keycode  18 = 9 parenleft 9 parenleft 9 parenleft
keycode  19 = 0 parenright 0 parenright 0 parenright
keycode  20 = minus underscore minus underscore minus underscore
keycode  21 = equal plus equal plus equal plus
keycode  22 = BackSpace Terminate_Server BackSpace Terminate_Server BackSpace Terminate_Server
keycode  23 = Tab ISO_Left_Tab Tab ISO_Left_Tab Tab ISO_Left_Tab
keycode  24 = q Q q Q q Q
keycode  25 = w W w W w W
keycode  26 = e E e E e E
keycode  27 = r R r R r R
keycode  28 = t T t T t T
keycode  29 = y Y y Y y Y
keycode  30 = u U u U u U
keycode  31 = i I i I i I
keycode  32 = o O o O o O
keycode  33 = p P p P p P
keycode  34 = bracketleft braceleft bracketleft braceleft bracketleft braceleft
keycode  35 = bracketright braceright bracketright braceright bracketright braceright
keycode  36 = Return NoSymbol Return NoSymbol Return
keycode  37 = Control_L NoSymbol Control_L NoSymbol Control_L
keycode  38 = a A a A a A
keycode  39 = s S s S s S
keycode  40 = d D d D d D
keycode  41 = f F f F f F
keycode  42 = g G g G g G
keycode  43 = h H h H h H
keycode  44 = j J j J j J
keycode  45 = k K k K k K
keycode  46 = l L l L l L
keycode  47 = semicolon colon semicolon colon semicolon colon
keycode  48 = apostrophe quotedbl apostrophe quotedbl apostrophe quotedbl
keycode  49 = grave asciitilde grave asciitilde grave asciitilde
keycode  50 = Shift_L NoSymbol Shift_L NoSymbol Shift_L
keycode  51 = backslash bar backslash bar backslash bar
keycode  52 = z Z z Z z Z
keycode  53 = x X x X x X
keycode  54 = c C c C c C
keycode  55 = v V v V v V
keycode  56 = b B b B b B
keycode  57 = n N n N n N
keycode  58 = m M m M m M
keycode  59 = comma less comma less comma less
keycode  60 = period greater period greater period greater
keycode  61 = slash question slash question slash question
keycode  62 = Shift_R NoSymbol Shift_R NoSymbol Shift_R
keycode  63 = KP_Multiply XF86_ClearGrab KP_Multiply XF86_ClearGrab KP_Multiply XF86_ClearGrab
keycode  64 = Alt_L Meta_L Alt_L Meta_L Alt_L Meta_L
keycode  65 = space NoSymbol space NoSymbol space
keycode  66 = Caps_Lock NoSymbol Caps_Lock NoSymbol Caps_Lock
keycode  67 = F1 XF86_Switch_VT_1 F1 XF86_Switch_VT_1 F1 XF86_Switch_VT_1
keycode  68 = F2 XF86_Switch_VT_2 F2 XF86_Switch_VT_2 F2 XF86_Switch_VT_2
keycode  69 = F3 XF86_Switch_VT_3 F3 XF86_Switch_VT_3 F3 XF86_Switch_VT_3
keycode  70 = F4 XF86_Switch_VT_4 F4 XF86_Switch_VT_4 F4 XF86_Switch_VT_4
keycode  71 = F5 XF86_Switch_VT_5 F5 XF86_Switch_VT_5 F5 XF86_Switch_VT_5
keycode  72 = F6 XF86_Switch_VT_6 F6 XF86_Switch_VT_6 F6 XF86_Switch_VT_6
keycode  73 = F7 XF86_Switch_VT_7 F7 XF86_Switch_VT_7 F7 XF86_Switch_VT_7
keycode  74 = F8 XF86_Switch_VT_8 F8 XF86_Switch_VT_8 F8 XF86_Switch_VT_8
keycode  75 = F9 XF86_Switch_VT_9 F9 XF86_Switch_VT_9 F9 XF86_Switch_VT_9
keycode  76 = F10 XF86_Switch_VT_10 F10 XF86_Switch_VT_10 F10 XF86_Switch_VT_10
keycode  77 = Num_Lock Pointer_EnableKeys Num_Lock Pointer_EnableKeys Num_Lock Pointer_EnableKeys
keycode  78 = Scroll_Lock NoSymbol Scroll_Lock NoSymbol Scroll_Lock
keycode  79 = KP_Home KP_7 KP_Home KP_7 KP_Home KP_7
keycode  80 = KP_Up KP_8 KP_Up KP_8 KP_Up KP_8
keycode  81 = KP_Prior KP_9 KP_Prior KP_9 KP_Prior KP_9
keycode  82 = KP_Subtract XF86_Prev_VMode KP_Subtract XF86_Prev_VMode KP_Subtract XF86_Prev_VMode
keycode  83 = KP_Left KP_4 KP_Left KP_4 KP_Left KP_4
keycode  84 = KP_Begin KP_5 KP_Begin KP_5 KP_Begin KP_5
keycode  85 = KP_Right KP_6 KP_Right KP_6 KP_Right KP_6
keycode  86 = KP_Add XF86_Next_VMode KP_Add XF86_Next_VMode KP_Add XF86_Next_VMode
keycode  87 = KP_End KP_1 KP_End KP_1 KP_End KP_1
keycode  88 = KP_Down KP_2 KP_Down KP_2 KP_Down KP_2
keycode  89 = KP_Next KP_3 KP_Next KP_3 KP_Next KP_3
keycode  90 = KP_Insert KP_0 KP_Insert KP_0 KP_Insert KP_0
keycode  91 = KP_Delete KP_Decimal KP_Delete KP_Decimal KP_Delete KP_Decimal
keycode  92 = ISO_Level3_Shift NoSymbol ISO_Level3_Shift NoSymbol ISO_Level3_Shift
keycode  93 = Zenkaku_Hankaku NoSymbol Zenkaku_Hankaku NoSymbol Zenkaku_Hankaku
keycode  94 = less greater less greater bar brokenbar
keycode  95 = F11 XF86_Switch_VT_11 F11 XF86_Switch_VT_11 F11 XF86_Switch_VT_11
keycode  96 = F12 XF86_Switch_VT_12 F12 XF86_Switch_VT_12 F12 XF86_Switch_VT_12
keycode  97 =
keycode  98 = Katakana NoSymbol Katakana NoSymbol Katakana
keycode  99 = Hiragana NoSymbol Hiragana NoSymbol Hiragana
keycode 100 = Henkan_Mode NoSymbol Henkan_Mode NoSymbol Henkan_Mode
keycode 101 = Hiragana_Katakana NoSymbol Hiragana_Katakana NoSymbol Hiragana_Katakana
keycode 102 = Muhenkan NoSymbol Muhenkan NoSymbol Muhenkan
keycode 103 =
keycode 104 = KP_Enter NoSymbol KP_Enter NoSymbol KP_Enter
keycode 105 = Control_R NoSymbol Control_R NoSymbol Control_R
keycode 106 = KP_Divide XF86_Ungrab KP_Divide XF86_Ungrab KP_Divide XF86_Ungrab
keycode 107 = Print Sys_Req Print Sys_Req Print Sys_Req
keycode 108 = Super_R NoSymbol Super_R NoSymbol Super_R
keycode 109 = Linefeed NoSymbol Linefeed NoSymbol Linefeed
keycode 110 = Home NoSymbol Home NoSymbol Home
keycode 111 = Up NoSymbol Up NoSymbol Up
keycode 112 = Prior NoSymbol Prior NoSymbol Prior
keycode 113 = Left NoSymbol Left NoSymbol Left
keycode 114 = Right NoSymbol Right NoSymbol Right
keycode 115 = End NoSymbol End NoSymbol End
keycode 116 = Down NoSymbol Down NoSymbol Down
keycode 117 = Next NoSymbol Next NoSymbol Next
keycode 118 = Insert NoSymbol Insert NoSymbol Insert
keycode 119 = Delete NoSymbol Delete NoSymbol Delete
keycode 120 =
keycode 121 = XF86AudioMute NoSymbol XF86AudioMute NoSymbol XF86AudioMute
keycode 122 = XF86AudioLowerVolume NoSymbol XF86AudioLowerVolume NoSymbol XF86AudioLowerVolume
keycode 123 = XF86AudioRaiseVolume NoSymbol XF86AudioRaiseVolume NoSymbol XF86AudioRaiseVolume
keycode 124 = XF86PowerOff NoSymbol XF86PowerOff NoSymbol XF86PowerOff
keycode 125 = KP_Equal NoSymbol KP_Equal NoSymbol KP_Equal
keycode 126 = plusminus NoSymbol plusminus NoSymbol plusminus
keycode 127 = Pause Break Pause Break Pause Break
keycode 128 =
keycode 129 = KP_Separator NoSymbol KP_Separator NoSymbol KP_Separator
keycode 130 = Hangul NoSymbol Hangul NoSymbol Hangul
keycode 131 = Hangul_Hanja NoSymbol Hangul_Hanja NoSymbol Hangul_Hanja
keycode 132 =
keycode 133 = Super_L NoSymbol Super_L NoSymbol Super_L
keycode 134 = Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R
keycode 135 = Menu NoSymbol Menu NoSymbol Menu
keycode 136 = Cancel NoSymbol Cancel NoSymbol Cancel
keycode 137 = Redo NoSymbol Redo NoSymbol Redo
keycode 138 = SunProps NoSymbol SunProps NoSymbol SunProps
keycode 139 = Undo NoSymbol Undo NoSymbol Undo
keycode 140 = SunFront NoSymbol SunFront NoSymbol SunFront
keycode 141 = XF86Copy NoSymbol XF86Copy NoSymbol XF86Copy
keycode 142 = SunOpen NoSymbol SunOpen NoSymbol SunOpen
keycode 143 = XF86Paste NoSymbol XF86Paste NoSymbol XF86Paste
keycode 144 = Find NoSymbol Find NoSymbol Find
keycode 145 = XF86Cut NoSymbol XF86Cut NoSymbol XF86Cut
keycode 146 = Help NoSymbol Help NoSymbol Help
keycode 147 = XF86MenuKB NoSymbol XF86MenuKB NoSymbol XF86MenuKB
keycode 148 = XF86Calculator NoSymbol XF86Calculator NoSymbol XF86Calculator
keycode 149 =
keycode 150 = XF86Sleep NoSymbol XF86Sleep NoSymbol XF86Sleep
keycode 151 = XF86WakeUp NoSymbol XF86WakeUp NoSymbol XF86WakeUp
keycode 152 = XF86Explorer NoSymbol XF86Explorer NoSymbol XF86Explorer
keycode 153 = XF86Send NoSymbol XF86Send NoSymbol XF86Send
keycode 154 =
keycode 155 = XF86Xfer NoSymbol XF86Xfer NoSymbol XF86Xfer
keycode 156 = XF86Launch1 NoSymbol XF86Launch1 NoSymbol XF86Launch1
keycode 157 = XF86Launch2 NoSymbol XF86Launch2 NoSymbol XF86Launch2
keycode 158 = XF86WWW NoSymbol XF86WWW NoSymbol XF86WWW
keycode 159 = XF86DOS NoSymbol XF86DOS NoSymbol XF86DOS
keycode 160 = XF86ScreenSaver NoSymbol XF86ScreenSaver NoSymbol XF86ScreenSaver
keycode 161 =
keycode 162 = XF86RotateWindows NoSymbol XF86RotateWindows NoSymbol XF86RotateWindows
keycode 163 = XF86Mail NoSymbol XF86Mail NoSymbol XF86Mail
keycode 164 = XF86Favorites NoSymbol XF86Favorites NoSymbol XF86Favorites
keycode 165 = XF86MyComputer NoSymbol XF86MyComputer NoSymbol XF86MyComputer
keycode 166 = XF86Back NoSymbol XF86Back NoSymbol XF86Back
keycode 167 = XF86Forward NoSymbol XF86Forward NoSymbol XF86Forward
keycode 168 =
keycode 169 = XF86Eject NoSymbol XF86Eject NoSymbol XF86Eject
keycode 170 = XF86Eject XF86Eject XF86Eject XF86Eject XF86Eject XF86Eject
keycode 171 = XF86AudioNext NoSymbol XF86AudioNext NoSymbol XF86AudioNext
keycode 172 = XF86AudioPlay XF86AudioPause XF86AudioPlay XF86AudioPause XF86AudioPlay XF86AudioPause
keycode 173 = XF86AudioPrev NoSymbol XF86AudioPrev NoSymbol XF86AudioPrev
keycode 174 = XF86AudioStop XF86Eject XF86AudioStop XF86Eject XF86AudioStop XF86Eject
keycode 175 = XF86AudioRecord NoSymbol XF86AudioRecord NoSymbol XF86AudioRecord
keycode 176 = XF86AudioRewind NoSymbol XF86AudioRewind NoSymbol XF86AudioRewind
keycode 177 = XF86Phone NoSymbol XF86Phone NoSymbol XF86Phone
keycode 178 =
keycode 179 = XF86Tools NoSymbol XF86Tools NoSymbol XF86Tools
keycode 180 = XF86HomePage NoSymbol XF86HomePage NoSymbol XF86HomePage
keycode 181 = XF86Refresh NoSymbol XF86Refresh NoSymbol XF86Refresh
keycode 182 = XF86Close NoSymbol XF86Close NoSymbol XF86Close
keycode 183 =
keycode 184 =
keycode 185 = XF86ScrollUp NoSymbol XF86ScrollUp NoSymbol XF86ScrollUp
keycode 186 = XF86ScrollDown NoSymbol XF86ScrollDown NoSymbol XF86ScrollDown
keycode 187 = parenleft NoSymbol parenleft NoSymbol parenleft
keycode 188 = parenright NoSymbol parenright NoSymbol parenright
keycode 189 = XF86New NoSymbol XF86New NoSymbol XF86New
keycode 190 = Redo NoSymbol Redo NoSymbol Redo
keycode 191 =
keycode 192 =
keycode 193 =
keycode 194 =
keycode 195 =
keycode 196 =
keycode 197 =
keycode 198 =
keycode 199 =
keycode 200 =
keycode 201 =
keycode 202 =
keycode 203 = Mode_switch NoSymbol Mode_switch NoSymbol Mode_switch
keycode 204 = NoSymbol Alt_L NoSymbol Alt_L NoSymbol Alt_L
keycode 205 = NoSymbol Meta_L NoSymbol Meta_L NoSymbol Meta_L
keycode 206 = NoSymbol Super_L NoSymbol Super_L NoSymbol Super_L
keycode 207 = NoSymbol Hyper_L NoSymbol Hyper_L NoSymbol Hyper_L
keycode 208 = XF86AudioPlay NoSymbol XF86AudioPlay NoSymbol XF86AudioPlay
keycode 209 = XF86AudioPause NoSymbol XF86AudioPause NoSymbol XF86AudioPause
keycode 210 = XF86Launch3 NoSymbol XF86Launch3 NoSymbol XF86Launch3
keycode 211 = XF86Launch4 NoSymbol XF86Launch4 NoSymbol XF86Launch4
keycode 212 =
keycode 213 = XF86Standby NoSymbol XF86Standby NoSymbol XF86Standby
keycode 214 = XF86Close NoSymbol XF86Close NoSymbol XF86Close
keycode 215 = XF86AudioPlay NoSymbol XF86AudioPlay NoSymbol XF86AudioPlay
keycode 216 = XF86Forward NoSymbol XF86Forward NoSymbol XF86Forward
keycode 217 =
keycode 218 = Print NoSymbol Print NoSymbol Print
keycode 219 =
keycode 220 = XF86WebCam NoSymbol XF86WebCam NoSymbol XF86WebCam
keycode 221 =
keycode 222 =
keycode 223 = XF86Mail NoSymbol XF86Mail NoSymbol XF86Mail
keycode 224 =
keycode 225 = XF86Search NoSymbol XF86Search NoSymbol XF86Search
keycode 226 =
keycode 227 = XF86Finance NoSymbol XF86Finance NoSymbol XF86Finance
keycode 228 =
keycode 229 = XF86Shop NoSymbol XF86Shop NoSymbol XF86Shop
keycode 230 =
keycode 231 = Cancel NoSymbol Cancel NoSymbol Cancel
keycode 232 = XF86MonBrightnessDown NoSymbol XF86MonBrightnessDown NoSymbol XF86MonBrightnessDown
keycode 233 = XF86MonBrightnessUp NoSymbol XF86MonBrightnessUp NoSymbol XF86MonBrightnessUp
keycode 234 = XF86AudioMedia NoSymbol XF86AudioMedia NoSymbol XF86AudioMedia
keycode 235 = XF86Display NoSymbol XF86Display NoSymbol XF86Display
keycode 236 = XF86KbdLightOnOff NoSymbol XF86KbdLightOnOff NoSymbol XF86KbdLightOnOff
keycode 237 = XF86KbdBrightnessDown NoSymbol XF86KbdBrightnessDown NoSymbol XF86KbdBrightnessDown
keycode 238 = XF86KbdBrightnessUp NoSymbol XF86KbdBrightnessUp NoSymbol XF86KbdBrightnessUp
keycode 239 = XF86Send NoSymbol XF86Send NoSymbol XF86Send
keycode 240 = XF86Reply NoSymbol XF86Reply NoSymbol XF86Reply
keycode 241 = XF86MailForward NoSymbol XF86MailForward NoSymbol XF86MailForward
keycode 242 = XF86Save NoSymbol XF86Save NoSymbol XF86Save
keycode 243 = XF86Documents NoSymbol XF86Documents NoSymbol XF86Documents
keycode 244 = XF86Battery NoSymbol XF86Battery NoSymbol XF86Battery
keycode 245 = XF86Bluetooth NoSymbol XF86Bluetooth NoSymbol XF86Bluetooth
keycode 246 = XF86WLAN NoSymbol XF86WLAN NoSymbol XF86WLAN
keycode 247 =
keycode 248 =
keycode 249 =
keycode 250 =
keycode 251 =
keycode 252 =
keycode 253 =
keycode 254 =
keycode 255 =

AlexelA · 2009-01-13 01:38:37

fhsm wrote:

Then ran $ xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap and used xev to check that the map was showing up as Super_R, it was. But still no luck using the key, it acts like an Alt still.

Bizarre...

Out of curiosity, try mapping the key to a letter, open a terminal and see if the letter shows up when you use the key.

fhsm · 2009-01-13 04:52:31

Good call:

in ~/.Xmodmap: keycode 108 = z Z z Z z Z

at the terminal the right alt types a z, shift right alt yields a Z, xev shows the key mapped to a z or Z

I take this to mean that the technique is correct but something is wrong with the Super_R bit. So I tried Meta_R and still got an alt key (even tried it in emacs just in case meta is just an emacs thing...)

fhsm · 2009-01-14 12:50:16

Still working on solving this problem. Given that I can map to another key but not to special key I'm not wondering if this has something to do with the modify key list. xmodmap -pm:

shift       Shift_L (0x32),  Shift_R (0x3e)
lock        Caps_Lock (0x42)
control     Control_L (0x25),  Control_R (0x69)
mod1        Alt_L (0x40),  Super_R (0x6c),  Meta_L (0xcd)
mod2        Num_Lock (0x4d)
mod3      
mod4        Super_L (0xce),  Hyper_L (0xcf)
mod5        ISO_Level3_Shift (0x5c),  Mode_switch (0xcb)

I'm in way over my head but is that common assignment at mod1 maybe causing my problem?

AlexelA · 2009-01-14 15:02:02

fhsm wrote:

Still working on solving this problem. Given that I can map to another key but not to special key I'm not wondering if this has something to do with the modify key list. xmodmap -pm:
shift       Shift_L (0x32),  Shift_R (0x3e)
lock        Caps_Lock (0x42)
control     Control_L (0x25),  Control_R (0x69)
mod1        Alt_L (0x40),  Super_R (0x6c),  Meta_L (0xcd)
mod2        Num_Lock (0x4d)
mod3      
mod4        Super_L (0xce),  Hyper_L (0xcf)
mod5        ISO_Level3_Shift (0x5c),  Mode_switch (0xcb)
I'm in way over my head but is that common assignment at mod1 maybe causing my problem?

I don't think so. Here's what I get when I do a xmodmap -pm...

shift       Shift_L (0x32),  Shift_R (0x3e)
lock        Caps_Lock (0x42)
control     Control_L (0x25),  Control_R (0x69)
mod1        Alt_L (0x40),  Alt_R (0x6c),  Meta_L (0xcd)
mod2        Num_Lock (0x4d)
mod3      
mod4        Super_L (0xce),  Hyper_L (0xcf)
mod5        ISO_Level3_Shift (0x5c),  Mode_switch (0xcb)

As you can see, it's exactly the same as yours (I am using a desktop, btw). At this point, I'd double check that Openbox has properly assigned the task to Super_L/Super_R and not to some other key. I really can't see any reason why Openbox doesn't read your key correctly while xev does.

fhsm · 2009-01-14 16:58:55

How would I check to see if openbox has made those assigned tasks correctly? That seems like another good suggestion.

I'm not sure I agree that we have the same -pm map: your mod1 line doesn't include Super_R and mine does. I really don't know how the layers of abstraction work in X but it's clear to me that I've got key 108 saying it's the right super key. But it is still in the mod1 grouping. What does X look for? (http://calypso.tux.org/pipermail/xemacs … 10878.html gave me this question.)

I'm wondering about trying something like:

keycode 108 = Super_R
remove mod1 = Super_R
add mod4 = Super_R

I'm not at home, but I'll test this tonight. Does that seem like it a possible fix?

Just in advance of the disaster that's coming how would I revert to my original setup? delete ~/.Xmodmap and restart?

fhsm · 2009-01-14 19:49:28

2.5 for 3! Hopefully someone later will benefit from my frustration.
to make this happen in ~/.Xmodmap

keycode 108 = Super_R 
remove mod1 = Super_R
add mod4 = Super_R

Then run

xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

If you starting conditions were like mine this should make your right alt key act like a super key.

I still don't really understand how this whole system works, but something about the mod map is important for triggering the actual events regardless of what the key claims to be in xev. Keycodes, syms and mods are all different and responsible for different steps / layers.

They key step that is missing from most of the info I could find is the whole mod list. This message board provides some insight. The bottom line appears to be that many apps (but not all) treat mod1 as alt and mod4 as super. If you call a key a super key (keycode 108 = Super_R) but don't change the mod list (leaving 'Alt_R' in it, which now shows up as Super_R in xmodmap -pm) your key will claim to be Super_R in xev but act like an alt key. If you have the key in two mod lists (say you just did keycode 108 = Super_R and add mod4, leaving the Super_R on mod1) you get nothing (no alt+f2 run box, no super+space menu); however, xev will say you've got a super key. Finally if you tell key 108 to be a super key, take that key (IDed by keysym) of mod1 and add it to mod4 you get a key that claims to be a super key in xev and works like one too. This mac centric article is also helpful. Like I said I really have very little grasp on what is happening so your mileage may very.

For those with thinkpads this thinkwiki page is helpful.

So why only 2.5? Well shift+alt is the meta key (open emacs and give it a try for some wrest cracking fun). I like having this option and didn't want to kill it in this process if possible. I haven't been able to figure out how to save that behavior. The default map for an alt key is:

 keycode 108 = Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R Alt_R Meta_R

the default for a super key is

 keycode 134 = Super_R NoSymbol Super_R NoSymbol Super_R

. These define shift behavior. I thought that using:

 
keycode 108 = Super_R Meta_R Super_R Meta_R Super_R Meta_R
remove mod1 = Super_R
add mod4 = Super_R
add mod1 = Meta_R

would save this function. It does not. Again the key behaves as expected in xev (Super_R w/o shift Meta_R w/ shift) but super+space doesn't work and it doesn't function as a meta key either.

Just another clear sign that I don't have any idea how this is really working. Do you have any insight into this AlexelA? Thanks for all your help!!

fhsm · 2009-01-14 21:13:32

mad I just did a restart and my changes didn't survive!!!! This feels like a five day hunt for a ;! Anyway instead of tossing my computer out the window I made the following changes to my ~/.Xmodmap file (to be clear this will fix the problem):

keycode 108 = Super_R 
add mod4 = Super_R
remove mod1 = Super_R
remove mod1 = Alt_R

It is worth noting that this will result in an error if you try to run xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap on the command line. This file order is needed to get the right map past a restart.

keycode 108 = Super_R 
remove mod1 = Super_R
add mod4 = Super_R

in ~/.Xmodmap will work without error when running xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap but will not work on reboot.

note: if you like your alt keys more than your caps lock you can use the caps lock instead.

Last edited by fhsm (2009-06-11 01:14:36)

nabilalk · 2009-03-10 14:00:01

AlexelA wrote:

fhsm wrote:
2) My system doesn't have a windows key / super key. Under windows I had mapped the right alt key to act like a super key. Is it possible to accomplish something like this under #!?
DUDE wrote:
All I know is that theres a program called "xmodmap" thats supposed to do what you ask for, try "man xmodmap".
Little bit of googling suggest that this is an involved fix.
Save the following in a file called .Xmodmap in your home directory.
keysym Alt_L = Super_L
keysym Alt_R = Super_R
Then type:
$ xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
You can use a program called xev to find the keysyms and keycodes and remap your entire keyboard if you like. Here's my favourite tutorial on the subject.

It doesn't sound like from the previous post that this issue has been solved.

Thanks for the link to the tutorial. I'm having a similar issue as fshm. My Windows key is at the top right-hand corner of the keyboard. I would like to switch the position of the Windows (Super) key with the Function (Fn) key. However, the pressing the Fn key by itself doesn't register with xev in terminator. The keycode for Super_L is 135, and I don't know what the keycode for the Fn key is. Any ideas, or is it not possible to reassign keys to the Fn key by itself? If I can't use the Fn key then I guess the Alt key fix is the best option. However, it sounds like the changes that fshm made were lost during reboot. Should he have added something to the autostart.sh file?

Last edited by nabilalk (2009-03-10 16:31:37)

nabilalk · 2009-03-10 16:33:54

fhsm wrote:

~/.Xmodmap will work without error when running xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap but will not work on reboot.

Did you try adding the key remap code to autostart.sh?

keycode 108 = Super_R 
remove mod1 = Super_R
add mod4 = Super_R

fhsm · 2009-03-10 21:42:00

nabilalk wrote:

It doesn't sound like from the previous post that this issue has been solved.

My problem is in fact solved (thus the [Solved] tag smile ):
The point was that something about when the .Xmodmap file is parsed during startup means that the modifier keys are not assigned as they would be after a completed boot. As a result the .Xmodmap that you would apply with xmodmap to a running system and the .Xmodmap for use at boot are slightly different. Long story short, after a lot of searching I think it's safe to say that the mod key system is black magic.

You shouldn't need to mess with autostart.sh, ~/.Xmodmap should be parsed on startup. The .Xmodmap file will be more portable / applies to all the distros that using a common home folder.

If your Fn key isn't registering an X-event you've got another problem to solve first. What does xev show when you press and release the Fn key? Nothing?

nabilalk · 2009-03-10 22:35:59

fhsm wrote:

What does xev show when you press and release the Fn key? Nothing?

Oh, I thought your problem was unsolved since #! didn't seem to maintain your changes upon reboot.

xev shows nothing when I press and release the key.

fhsm · 2009-03-11 02:35:13

If your Fn key isn't resulting in an X event I've got nothing to offer. Are you sure the key is even working?

nabilalk · 2009-03-11 16:16:45

fhsm wrote:

If your Fn key isn't resulting in an X event I've got nothing to offer. Are you sure the key is even working?

Yes, because Fn+up or Fn+down alters the brightness. Also, Fn printscreen works, disk eject etc...Fn works and I just put a brand new keyboard in it. So I am certain the Fn key isn't the problem. Any other ideas please?

fhsm · 2009-03-12 23:08:24

What does xev show if you do Fn plus one of those other keys that is working?

nabilalk · 2009-03-13 09:50:29

fhsm wrote:

What does xev show if you do Fn plus one of those other keys that is working?

http://crunchbanglinux.org/pastebin/213 Thanks for taking a look.

CrunchBang Linux

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