[SOLVED] External keyboard OK, notebook keyboard messed up

[HOW-TO]
Re-installed without external keyboard.
[ORIGINAL POST]
So, first post. I have no long experience with Linux, I tried Red Hat in the late 90's but switched back to Windows until this year. Anyway, to the problem.
I have an Asus UL30A, when using the notebook keyboard in xubuntu it worked just fine. Using the keyboard in the console it works just fine. It works in GDM but as soon as I boot into GNOME it mess up. The defenition of "messed up" is that some keys seems to have the wrong keycode mapped, most keys work as they should but a couple does not display what it suppose to display. y = 3, o = 4 and so on. Looking into the GNOME Keyboard layout preference you can actually see what they are mapped to, so I can for example see that i = numlock_2 and so on.
My external logitech keyboard works like a charm, I used it while installing the system so I am not sure if that messed something up. Anyway, I tried different layouts, keyboard models, tried installing xf86-input-keyboard drivers, looked into the xorg.conf.d folder but I am now clueless. I have not found anything related to this issue on the internet.
Any ideas?
Last edited by gyller (2010-08-21 15:57:01)

Hello, gyller; it looks like your installation with the USB keyboard has somewhat messed up your settings.
If I was having your problem, here's what I would do:
1) Check which keyboard options to use
First bootup the computer using the built-in keyboard only (no USB one plugged in), then have a look at /usr/share/X11/xkbd/rules/base.lst , where all the keyboard model ,layout, variant options are detailed, and choose which one is the more appropriate.
(Then I would set the keymap for the current Xorg session with: # setxkbmap se , and check how it's going on with that.)
2) Back up important Xorg files
I would back up /etc/X11/xorg.conf and /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d in a convenient easily reachable location.
3) Reconfigure Xorg in command line
Reboot the computer (again, without the USB keyboard) and configure Xorg in CLI, for the built-in keyboard to be taken as the default keyboard.
(Later, after having set it up properly, you would take care of the USB one).
As you're running Gnome, I suppose you're using GDM and not running in command line at boot.
To be able to boot in command line, you'll have to boot in runlevel 1 (you can't make xorg changes while you are running Xorg).
This can be achieve simply by adding the runlevel 1 to your kernel command line in Grub during bootup.
(Reference ; tested and working properly).
Boot your computer, select your Arch distro in Grub, press the e key to edit, get down and select the line where /vmlinuz26 is, and add a 1:
linux /vmlinuz26 ...root=/dev/sda3 ro 1 or kernel /vmlinuz26......root=/dev/sda3 ro 1
then press the b key to boot your Arch.
You will be in single-user mode and asked for your root password for maintenance.
Enter it and run # Xorg -configure
(When this option is specified, the Xorg server loads all video driver modules, probes for available hardware, and writes out an initial xorg.conf file based on what was detected. Xorg reference )
Check here Step 3: Configure X
#Xorg -configure will create a config file at /root/xorg.conf.new that you have to copy to /etc/X11/:
# cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Then install evdev, which, since Xorg 1.8, Xorg-server uses for device detection and which has hot-plugging abilities (Ref: evdev )
# pacman -S x86-input-evdev
NB: there's something in the Beginner's Guide that might be interesting:
Note that if you are in possession of a properly configured xorg.conf under another distribution and with the same Xorg version, you may easily copy it over to your current Arch system's /etc/X11/ directory.
Would that work with your Xubuntu xorg.conf?
Once it's done, log out of your root account (# exit) and as a normal user start your session.
4) Have the built-in keyboard, mouse and touchpad set to be working properly (Might take some time!)
For this, check:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sy … _detection
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Evdev
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg
it will need some customizations.
As you're using Gnome, you can install GPointingDeviceSettings from AUR.
It's a very handy way to set up mouse, touchpad, tapping, scrolling, wheel behaviors.
5) Reboot with the USB keyboard plugged in and have it work properly (Time-consuming too!)
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg_multiseat can give you some ideas about that.
There will be some more configuration work to do with xorg.conf and xorg.conf.d
PS: http://caulfield.info/emmet/2008/01/add … eyboa.html might interest you.
Last edited by oupsemma (2010-08-18 15:01:20)

Similar Messages

My Mac notebook does no longer recognise my external keyboard which was connected by a USB cable. I have checked the keyboard on other Mac notebooks and it works fine. Any suggestions?

My Mac notebook does no longer recognise my external keyboard which was connected by a USB cable. I have checked the keyboard on other Mac notebooks and it works fine. Any suggestions?

and in some kind of record, I've read another thread an it's fixed!!
Kids.
Accessability-> zoom-> off
5 days i've been squinting!

Mackbook internal keyboard fails to work after connecting external keyboard

I am using 13 inch alum macbook. The keyboard and trackpad has always been good.
Today, I tried to connect it to an external wireless logitech keyboard. Initially things do not work. Macbook does not recognize the external keyboard, and ask me to press the key on the right hand side of the left shift key. I tried to press a couple of times, and realized that the wireless keyboard has been running out of battery (has not been using that for a while). After I changed the new batteries, things are connected. However, I am not sure what key I pressed to answer macbook's question. Anyway, most keys work as expected (the 26 letters), but windows key on the external keyboard works as the apple command key. Then I downloaded the doublecommand software trying to remap keys.
Suddenly, I found that the external keyboard fails to work. I then try the internal keyboard, which fails as well. I then disconnect the external keyboard/mouse/display, and restart the machine. The trackpad works ok, but the internal keyboard still fails to work and thus I can not login (can not enter my password). Restarted a couple of times and the situation remains.
I tend to believe this is a software problem related to the mess up of the external keyboard. I tried to boot the machine using the original installation DVD and repaired the permissions of the hardisk. This did not fix the problem.
Please help. Thanks.

Problem solved.
It was the "doublecommand" software that I installed after connecting the external keyboard.
I called the Apple Technical Support. They helped me to boot into the safe mode (press Shift when turn on your computer until you see the login screen), and uninstall the software. Things are back to normal.
Apple technical support is very professional and knowledgeable. Thanks.

Spilt milk. Some keys not working. External keyboard?

I have a 2009 macbook. My daughter spilt some milk on the keyboard and now a few of the keys won't work. One of the keys is used in the password I use to get the desktop. Can I hook in an external keyboard and override the laptop keyboard?
Are there any other solutions to this problem? I need to get in to computer to backup some files.
Cheers
aaapow

I am sorry, but to get your issue more exposure, I would suggest posting it in the commercial forums, since this is a commercial product. You can click here for the link.
HP ProBook 4540s Notebook PC Support
TwoPointOh
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom to say “Thanks” for helping!

How to set "display mode" from external keyboard

I have an EliteBook 8570p in a docking station, with an external monitor and keyboard attached.
I typically have my display mode as "duplicate", with the same thing showing on both my laptop screen and external monitor. I use the external monitor as the main screen. This might be uncommon, but I prefer it this way. I've been working this way for quite a while.
I very recently started using MS PowerPoint 2013. Today I discovered an annoying bug with this combination. I was in "slideshow mode" for a pptx I was working on, and I pressed ESC to get back to editing the doc. What happened was that the external monitor just showed my background wallpaper, and the laptop screen showed the normal display, along with my background wallpaper. I then had to slide over to my laptop keyboard and press Fn-F4 and set it to "Duplicate", and that restored my external monitor display.
I'm definitely going to pursue this weird behavior with PowerPoint, but I'm going to assume out of the box that this will be difficult to change. What I'd like to get from this forum is simply a quicker way to restore the "Duplicate" display mode. Is there a keyboard shortcut I can use from my external keyboard to change the display mode? There's no "Fn" key.

Although I'd still like to get an answer to this, my original problem has been solved, as I was able to disable the feature in PowerPoint 2013 that mucked with my display mode (turn off "Use Presenter View").

RSI Issue: Need help on IBM/Lenovo external keyboards w Trackpoint? Pic

Need help on IBM/Lenovo external keyboards w Trackpoint? Pic
I started my journey with Thinkpads on a T42, then T43.. then T61, X61T, R61 & T410 (bought for 2 cousins & they love it), W510 (dads new laptop). I may be a much recent convert but I swear by them now.
MAJOR ISSUE: Recently started feeling RSI (Repetitive Stress) & Carpal Tunnel symptoms (already doing stretches.. adjusted the desk.. & finding new adjustable LCD stand) since I am not using the Thinkpad directly... but using it docked with an External keyboard. Lot of Mousing as well. I'd like to go back to Thinkpad FEEL... or atleast have keyboard with a pointing device so my hands dont have to keep moving back n forth.
So, it would be great it some of my fellow T4x/T6x/X6x 'ers would guide me a bit on this... share their first hand experience, or what they've seen on these keyboards and feel free to point me to reliable sources of information.
Currently this would greatly be use with T61 - Adv Mini Dock - 30" XHD3000 LCD as shown in my signature below.
Anyone who has used or know something about one of these Thinkpad related keyboard (ideally both of these to give a comparative response).
Which of the following have you used?
How was the experience?
(Maybe point me to thread with peoples experiences)
If you've used several, which one do you prefer / recommend? Why?
At the moment I have a "slim" BTC 6200C desktop keyboard. It has laptop like scissor keyswitches, so I like it the slim notebook like profile.
The way I have positioned my 30" LCD I'd like to be able to keep the keyboard on my lap at times while on my chair and maybe on the desk at times.
ThinkPad Full-Size UltraNav USB Keyboard
The keyboard and trackpad of the IBM Lenovo Thinkplus USB Keyboard with Ultranav:
ThinkPad Travel UltraNav USB Keyboard
The travel version of the above:
Newer:
ThinkPad USB Keyboard with TrackPoint
A 2009 replacement for the previous one but not the full keyboard nor wireless:
Thinkpads:
T61 8892-02U: 14.1"SXGA+/2.2C2D/4G/XP|Adv Mini Dock|30" Gateway XHD3000 WQXGA via Dual-link DVI
X61T 7767-96U: 12.1"SXGA+/1.6C2D/3G/Vista|Ultrabase
W510 4319-2PU: 15.6"FHD/i7-720QM/4G/Win7Pro64 (for dad)
T43 1875-DLU: 14.1"XGA/1.7PM-740/1G/XP
Dell:
Inspiron 9300: 17"WUXGA/NVidiaGeForce6800/2.2PM/2G/XP (old)

I had the same issue - had to go to voice command for a few weeks (sucked) wore wrist gards to keep things netural.
Everything went away when I changed to a USB keyboard with the Ultra nav (I use the track point and disable the pad).
I've been working like that for 6+ years now... no issues.
(as a side note, sleeping with wrist guards on helped heal me the fastest. I had neoprine, with a metal plate in them - from a local drug store)

What's a good external keyboard for MBP

Given that the MBP keyboard is so inadequate and Apple is seemingly too stubborn to give us a good one, an external keyboard is mandatory. However, I'm not sure what's good in the Apple world. There is, of course, the Apple keyboards and I'm going to take a look, but there are also some from Logitech and others. Does anyone have any suggestions on good ones? I purchased the iHome IH-K236LS, but just looking at it and feeling it and seeing that it requires a power cord is not making me feel like it's a good purchase. Plus the mouse feels incredibly cheap. Like something from a kids toy. And it requires two of the three USB ports (but does add two on the keyboard). Anyway, I'm thinking I'd better check into other possibilities, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

People have such different views of what makes a "good" keyboard, GTGeek, that it is almost impossible to make suggestions without getting a better idea of what your requirements are.
I grew up using manual typrewiters (Olivetti Lettera 32's etc), migrated to IBM and Brother electrics, and then nearly 30 years of different computer and data terminal keyboards.
In the early years, perhaps not surprisingly, the closer a computer got to approximating that of an IBM golfball the happier I was. Few computer keyboards seemed to have the "feel" or travel that I was used to. Despite this i gradually found I adapted to almost all of them.
I still have many of my older computers and I often get a bit of a shock when I use them these days! My favourite in days gone by on a portable was on the NEC8021a, but today when I use it the keys seem too sculpted and to have too much travel (both features I once really liked about it!)
The keyboards on modern MBPs , of course, are at the opposite extreme - flat keys and little travel. The same goes for Apple's own current external keyboards. I now use them all the time, but if you don't like the keyboard on a current MBP I doubt you will want to yourself. The feel is very similar.
The older white Apple Bluetooth keyboards had more travel , and more sculpting and a nice feeling of "solidity", but can only be found second hand these days.
I personally like the Apple Pro wired keyboards in days gone by, but, as with the white bluetooth they are now history.
I have two Logitech wireless and and a Microsoft USB keyboard tucked away in the draw (together with just about every keyboard Apple have ever made) . The Logitech and MS ones feel very "plasticky" compared to Apple offerings, but, as I said, I have simply adapted to the latter over time. You might find them fine if that is what you are used to.
On Mac notebooks my favourites in the past were those on the PB1400, the PB 12 and the earlier models of the MBP, but I've adapted to the current MBP ones now as well.
All of which adds up to the fact that the only way to decide something like this is to test them yourself, and, perhaps, to be prepared for a period of adjustment whatever you get before you can really judge it. Familiarity breeds contempt, they say, but in the case of keyboards it has always seemed quite the opposite to me. What you have been using most in recent times always seems to be the best after a while!
Cheers
Rod

How to Disable WiFi for Portege R830 + Port Replicator& External Keyboard

Dumb questions I'm sure, but this is driving me nuts.
I have a Port Replicator with external keyboard and monitor attached. The Port replicator has an wired Ethernet connection to my LAN. When I dock my R830 into the Port Replicator I'd ideally like it to turn off the wireless adapter, but as a minimum I definitely want it to default to using the wired LAN connection not WiFi.
Currently it just seems to randomly decide to either use the wired or wireless connection when I dock.
So ... two part question:
1. How can I set the R830 to automatically default to a wired Ethernet connection when I dock?
2. How can I disable the wireless connection when I'm docked and using an external keyboard (the F8 toggle to turn wireless on/off on the laptop keyboard doesn't work on external keyboards)
Many thanks in advance for your advice.

> How can I set the R830 to automatically default to a wired Ethernet connection when I dock?
If the port replicator is connected to the LAN then the notebook would use the LAN connection automatically if you connect the R830.
> How can I disable the wireless connection when I'm docked and using an external keyboard (the F8 toggle to turn wireless on/off on the laptop keyboard doesn't work on external keyboards)
Well, in such case you can use the internal keyboard to switch off the Wlan using Fn + F8

External Keyboard being recognized as Internal Keyboard

I have a Microsoft Wireless 6000 v2 external keyboard. I have installed the Intellitype software and in the past I have had this setup working great! The problem I'm now facing is that somewhere during my latest reinstall of Leopard (hard drive crashed), my setup procedure for the external keyboard got messed up. I plugged the keyboard in first, it asked me to identify the layout of the keyboard, which I did, and then I installed the MS software. However, none of the special buttons are being recognized by the software. What is weird is that if I go to the Keyboard & Mouse pref pane, I see 3 options now (instead of the typical two): "Apple internal...", "Keyboard", and "MS Wireless Desktop Receiver". What is also weird is that if I click on "Change Keyboard" at the bottom and have it try to identify the external KB's layout, every time I push the keys it complains that I pushed a key on the internal Apple keyboard on the Macbook. These things lead me to believe that the hardware mapping is messed up and Leopard thinks my external KB is my internal KB and thus the MS software is not receiving any of the button signals.
So my question is obviously "how do I fix this?" I think resetting the recognized keyboard list in Leopard would do it - but I don't know where that is. I've tried resetting the PRAM, which had no effect, and I've reinstalled the software multiple times, etc.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

I don't know Apple's "bump" policy - but here I am bumping this thread...

Step Input Recording via an external keyboard?

Hi there.
I'm having difficulty with inputting data from my midi keyboard to logic express. when i play the notes from my external MIDI keyboard notes register on the transport bar and I can hear the notes, however they will not appear in the piano roll window. I have followed the instructions from the brilliant book by David Nahmani and I have also read the manual and I cannot seem to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
I have the MIDI in button enabled and I also have the instrument track record enabled and I have the empty MIDI region created in the instrument track which I created using the pencil tool.
I saw a video online, which showed that the step input will not respond to the external keyboard until you actually go to Options - open the step input keyboard and press one of the keys and then your external MIDI keyboard can input notes.
I tried this and it worked, however I can just play the one note and the play head will move but when I play another note on the external keyboard Logic will again not register the note.
Can you please help me solve the issue
Sorry for the long winded question. I hope It makes sense and if not just ask
Thanks in advance

The best place to ask would be in the Logic Express forum.

S6000 external keyboard keys repeating

I have the S6000 with the external keyboard and the keys tend to repeat most of the time, even with a single tap. Is there a setting that I am missing? The virtual keyboard works fine.

I have found that my BT keyboard starts to repeat when it is low on charge. Charging it solves the problem.

IBM External Keyboard Hotkeys not working with T60.

Hi,
I have connected an IBM External keyboard to my T60.
Everything is working fine except the hotkeys on top of the keboard and Access IBM button.
Keyboard Details
Model No SK-8815
P/N - 89P8800
Does anyone know how to fix it?
Thanks,
Simon Mandy
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi sim_tcr!
If you search Lenovo Suppport & downloads for "USB Enhanced Performance Keyboard" you should come up with Vista and XP/2000 drivers.
Not having one of those keyboards myself, I can't say for sure that the drivers include the hotkey functionality, but I'm guessing from the size of the download that it is not just simple keyboard driver software.
Tell us if that works!
I don't work for Lenovo. I'm a crazy volunteer!

G3 ibook keyboard messed up

Im working on some ibooks for a school...one of them has a strange issue when you press the "t" key it starts typing [5tgb over and over again....
I tried swapping the keyboard out and that seemed to make it a little better but it still goes completly crazy....I tried an external keyboard and there are no problems, could this be a logic board issue??
any ideas?

Problem solved... me the n00b...
After reading the log in /var/dt/Xerrors more closely this time I found that it was trying to load module "Keyboard" for the device "Keyboard1" and was not able to find that module. The log was also suggesting that this module is deprecated and I should use "kbd" instead... Made the changes in xorg.conf and things are good now...

Azerty external keyboard with trackpoint

Hi
does somebody know if there is a french (azerty layout) version of this external keyboard 55Y9003 ?
I am looking for an external thinkpad keyboard with trackpoint...any ideas?
Thank you
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi louisr, and welcome to the Lenovo User Community!
Yes there is one. Click on the Service parts link at the bottom of the 55Y9003 page for a list of part numbers for various language versions. 55Y9014 is the French version.
Hope this helps!
I don't work for Lenovo. I'm a crazy volunteer!

Connecting an external keyboard

i have a hp touchpad (wifi) and i want to connect a external keyboard in the mini usb port on the device but the device will not reconize the keyboard connected to it.
what to do?

Hello, and Welcome to the HP Support Community!
Unfortunately, what you are trying to do cannot be done. The port does not support OTG.
You can however purchase any model BlueTooth keyboard and use it with the TouchPad. I use my ancient Palm BlueTooth Folding Keyboard with my webOS TouchPads and HP tablets running Android, and it works well with all of them!
Palm/HP used to sell a Bluetooth keyboard as an accessory; you might be able to locate one at amazon.com, etc.
WyreNut
I am a Volunteer here, not employed by HP.
You too can become an HP Expert! Details HERE!
If my post has helped you, click the Kudos Thumbs up!
If it solved your issue, Click the "Accept as Solution" button so others can benefit from the question you asked!

[SOLVED] External keyboard OK, notebook keyboard messed up

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for