Multiple file selection question

[MatrixOpal]

I am able to use the shift key to select a bunch of sequential files.

Coming from windows, I thought using the ctrl key would let me select multiple files that were not in order.. I was wrong.
ctrl doesn't do anything while I am selecting files.

Might there be a different key in Linux for this function? Or a setting I don't know I need to turn on maybe?

[mikeflan]

The Ctrl key should act just as you expect. It does for me. Either the left Ctrl key or the right Ctrl key - both do the same as in windows.

Type xev in a terminal and then depress the left Ctrl key and the right Ctrl key. You should get two 37's and then two 105's. Then close the white window.

[MatrixOpal]

that was interesting. I typed xev (tried xev and pressing ctrl l&r before hitting enter.. nada).. hit enter and got this:
it's really long

Code: Select all

opal@opal-HP-Laptop-17-by3xxx:~$ xev
Outer window is 0x5400001, inner window is 0x5400002
editing a lot out because.. long post

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107642, (24,72), root:(726,438),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107650, (20,76), root:(722,442),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107658, (18,78), root:(720,444),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107666, (16,79), root:(718,445),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107672, (15,80), root:(717,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107688, (14,80), root:(716,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107752, (13,80), root:(715,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107768, (12,80), root:(714,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107782, (11,80), root:(713,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107798, (11,80), root:(713,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107806, (10,80), root:(712,446),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107814, (9,79), root:(711,445),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107830, (8,79), root:(710,445),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107846, (7,78), root:(709,444),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107878, (6,78), root:(708,444),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107908, (6,77), root:(708,443),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107916, (5,75), root:(707,441),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107924, (5,72), root:(707,438),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107932, (5,69), root:(707,435),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107940, (5,64), root:(707,430),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107948, (6,59), root:(708,425),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107956, (6,54), root:(708,420),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107964, (7,50), root:(709,416),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107972, (8,47), root:(710,413),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107980, (8,43), root:(710,409),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107988, (9,39), root:(711,405),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247107996, (9,36), root:(711,402),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

LeaveNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108002, (10,34), root:(712,400),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyInferior, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108002, (10,34), root:(712,400),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108010, (11,32), root:(713,398),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108018, (11,30), root:(713,396),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108026, (12,29), root:(714,395),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108034, (13,27), root:(715,393),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108042, (13,26), root:(715,392),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108050, (14,25), root:(716,391),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108058, (15,24), root:(717,390),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108066, (15,23), root:(717,389),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108074, (16,21), root:(718,387),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108082, (17,20), root:(719,386),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108090, (18,19), root:(720,385),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108098, (18,17), root:(720,383),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108106, (19,17), root:(721,383),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108114, (20,15), root:(722,381),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108128, (21,14), root:(723,380),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108136, (22,13), root:(724,379),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108152, (22,12), root:(724,378),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108168, (23,12), root:(725,378),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108184, (23,11), root:(725,377),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108192, (24,11), root:(726,377),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108208, (25,11), root:(727,377),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x5400002, time 247108216, (25,10), root:(727,376),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

EnterNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108224, (27,9), root:(729,375),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyInferior, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

KeymapNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x0,
    keys:  4294967198 0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   
           0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108224, (27,9), root:(729,375),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108230, (28,8), root:(730,374),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108238, (30,8), root:(732,374),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108246, (32,7), root:(734,373),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108254, (34,6), root:(736,372),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108262, (35,6), root:(737,372),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108270, (37,6), root:(739,372),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108278, (39,5), root:(741,371),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108286, (40,5), root:(742,371),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108294, (43,5), root:(745,371),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108302, (45,4), root:(747,370),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108310, (48,3), root:(750,369),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108318, (52,3), root:(754,369),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108326, (58,1), root:(760,367),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108332, (62,0), root:(764,366),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

LeaveNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247108340, (65,-1), root:(767,365),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyAncestor, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

FocusOut event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    mode NotifyGrab, detail NotifyAncestor

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (699,363), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (698,362), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (697,362), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (696,361), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (695,360), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (694,360), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (692,359), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (691,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (690,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (688,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (687,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (686,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (685,358), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (684,357), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (682,357), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 38, synthetic YES, window 0x5400001,
    event 0x5400001, window 0x5400001, (681,357), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x0, override NO

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247114776, (147,66), root:(759,335),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247114784, (153,70), root:(765,339),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247114792, (161,75), root:(773,344),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247114800, (171,82), root:(783,351),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

LeaveNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247114808, (184,92), root:(796,361),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyAncestor, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

EnterNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247123270, (25,0), root:(637,269),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyAncestor, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

KeymapNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x0,
    keys:  2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   
           0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247123270, (25,0), root:(637,269),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247123278, (14,1), root:(626,270),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

MotionNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247123286, (3,4), root:(615,273),
    state 0x10, is_hint 0, same_screen YES

LeaveNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247123294, (-4,6), root:(608,275),
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyAncestor, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 16

FocusOut event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    mode NotifyNormal, detail NotifyNonlinear

PropertyNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    atom 0x162 (_NET_WM_STATE), time 247124179, state PropertyNewValue

PropertyNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    atom 0x188 (_GTK_EDGE_CONSTRAINTS), time 247124179, state PropertyNewValue

ColormapNotify event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
    colormap 0x20, new NO, state ColormapUninstalled

pressing the left and right ctrl buttons here doesn't do anything either.

[decrepit]

I get what looks like the same output to that, it's too long to check thoroughly.
But I can use the ctrl key to select multi files not in sequence. But I'm using mate with the caja file browser.

[MatrixOpal]

I was able to use it before switching to Linux - or I'd be side eyeing the laptop.
It does work for copy/paste operations so it's not the keys.

[mikeflan]

Old broad looking for new OS tricks

One trick is to put long output in the code tags. You can edit your previous post (push the pencil button next to the post) to do that if you want. The button that inserts these tags is marked </>, which is in the mini toolbar above the edit box where you type your reply. Just highlight the long text and hit that button.

I believe your Ctrl keys are working (to some extent). The evidence is near the top of your long list:

Code: Select all

KeyPress event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247102448, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247102636, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x14, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyPress event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247104070, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x10, keycode 105 (keysym 0xffe4, Control_R), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247104224, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x14, keycode 105 (keysym 0xffe4, Control_R), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

The key part is 'Control_L' and 'Control_R'.

You can test with xev again if you want. No need to hit enter. Just hit the Ctrl keys and then close the box. You will get output like listed above on the key press and on the key release.

You just posted a long list of keystrokes you have recently made. I suspect there is nothing sensitive in there, but if there is, you might want to reduce the list a bit (edit with the pencil button and delete some of it).

[cliffcoggin]

I was able to use it before switching to Linux - or I'd be side eyeing the laptop.
It does work for copy/paste operations so it's not the keys.

The Control key works fine for me in selecting non-sequential files in Mint 19.2 Cinnamon. What version are you using?

[MatrixOpal]

20.1 Ulyssa

[MatrixOpal]

Old broad looking for new OS tricks

One trick is to put long output in the code tags. You can edit your previous post (push the pencil button next to the post) to do that if you want. The button that inserts these tags is marked </>, which is in the mini toolbar above the edit box where you type your reply. Just highlight the long text and hit that button.

I believe your Ctrl keys are working (to some extent). The evidence is near the top of your long list:

Code: Select all

KeyPress event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247102448, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247102636, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x14, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyPress event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247104070, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x10, keycode 105 (keysym 0xffe4, Control_R), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 38, synthetic NO, window 0x5400001,
root 0x79e, subw 0x0, time 247104224, (115,-74), root:(817,292),
state 0x14, keycode 105 (keysym 0xffe4, Control_R), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False

The key part is 'Control_L' and 'Control_R'.

You can test with xev again if you want. No need to hit enter. Just hit the Ctrl keys and then close the box. You will get output like listed above on the key press and on the key release.

You just posted a long list of keystrokes you have recently made. I suspect there is nothing sensitive in there, but if there is, you might want to reduce the list a bit (edit with the pencil button and delete some of it).

alrighty.. the long post has been edited. I removed some of the code.. it's still long though.

The keys do work *to some extent*.. I can ctrl C, V, P for copy/paste/print. It's the file system selection function that's absent.

I must be missing something.
When I type xev - and press either or both of the ctrl keys, left then right.. nothing appears after the xev unless I hit enter.

How do I get any output if I close the terminal?

[mikeflan]

You don't close the terminal. You close the white window:

If you haven't been closing that white window, that might be why you are getting a ton of output when hitting enter.

[decrepit]

I must be doing something wrong as well, I don't get a white window to close

[mikeflan]

And I have a white window that won't close - so it won't go away. I just minimize it and go about my business, for a whole day now.

You have a peculiar problem that we have not seen before. I hope we figure something out soon.

Please live boot your install USB and tell us if you have the problem there too. I suspect you will.

[decrepit]

And here's another weird one, today I have the window yesterday I didn't. I even scrolled back my commands to yesterdays and used that xev, just to make sure I'd entered it correctly. and exactly the same command that didn't bring up a white window then brings one up now.

[MatrixOpal]

As suspected, booting from the installation stick did not solve the problem.

I appreciate the responses.

I'm not getting notifications of replies in this thread.. well, not since the first one.
Apologies to anyone that thought.. well crap.. maybe she didn't want help after all.. I just didn't know there were replies.

[decrepit]

could it be a keyboard type issue?

[MatrixOpal]

I am on a laptop.. no separate keyboard and the ctrl key does work for other functions.

[decrepit]

I am on a laptop.. no separate keyboard and the ctrl key does work for other functions.

I guess what I meant, does what Mint thinks the keyboard is, match what's there. Seems it's not recognising the ctrl button for some reason or another

[MatrixOpal]

I guess it could be.. something with the OS and settings is what I originally thought.
I am fairly sure it was one of the first 'differences' I noticed with Linux in basic file management.. it just took me a while to ask about it since it doesn't disrupt most of what my day involves.

I rounded up a lot of photos from older machines on USB sticks/ transferred them to this machine and it turns out there are tons of duplicates, that are not named the same thing.. so not sequential in the folder.
Deleting one at a time has become tedious.

[SimonPeter]

I rounded up a lot of photos from older machines on USB sticks/ transferred them to this machine and it turns out there are tons of duplicates, that are not named the same thing.. so not sequential in the folder.
Deleting one at a time has become tedious.

You can sort the files by size (View->Arrange Items->By Size) and then delete duplicates (duplicates have the same file size -- don't forget to confirm it by opening the files).

[MatrixOpal]

I've done that.. and by date (sometimes the date from the og file transfers in tact) but it started at almost 7 gigs in the folder.. I have no idea how many files are left.. but I'm not under 5 gigs yet.. it's a lot.. I can't do it for long before my mind goes numb.