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Keyboard keys mis-assigned

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:05 pm
by langstracht
I am using a laptop and a usb keyboard with a Mint 12 OS.

A number of keys on both are incorrect (for instance key # produces ASCII 156 (British pound); " produces @; | produces ~; \ produces #).

This is VERY annoying (especially the loss of "|". Can someone please tell me how to fix this.

TIA

Re: Keyboard keys mis-assigned

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:19 pm
by DrHu
So which is the keyboard you selected on install, the default and the only one that is available during an install should be USA standard or USA international (which might account for the oddball key codes..)
--and that will also depend on whether or not you have any additional keyboard/locales (national language selections) installed and are using another active keyboard instead of the standard USA default

If the keyboard has other than USA keys stamped on the keyboard, then you might have been sold a non-usa keyboard which is mostly ok, except for a few characters..

It might help to know the usb keyboard brand and model you have selected..

Re: Keyboard keys mis-assigned

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:32 pm
by langstracht
The keyboard chosen was English (United States) - I don't see any option to choose USA standard or US International.

The USB keyboard is a Vibe VA-90-COMBO.

As I indicated the problem exists on both the (Toshiba) laptop keyboard AND the USB keyboard. Consequently I don't believe it's provenance has anything to do with the problem.

That said, I believe both to be US standard compliant. Upper case 2 is @ not "; upper case 3 is # not GBP, upper case \ is | not @.

Re: Keyboard keys mis-assigned

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 6:30 pm
by SilverNexus
You may have to either reinstall xkb or manually edit xkb; it could be confused.
If reinstallation does not work, here is a good resource for modifying/customizing keyboard layouts:

http://archive09.linux.com/feature/113715

Keep in mind that if you do resort to tweaking xkb, you will have to figure out what exact keyboard layout is being used and change the proper file ([whatever menu selection is needed, if any, depending on desktop environment]->preferences->keyboard->layout(tab) can tell you this).

Other than that, I don't know what to say.

Re: Keyboard keys mis-assigned

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 6:51 am
by langstracht
Thanks so much for the resources.

I'm sure with them and some reading up I will be able to get this situation resolved.

Thanks again.