Ctrl key and Alt key are acting as Shift key

rotopercutor · 12-17-2019, 08:31 AM

I installed Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon a few days ago and found out that CTRL and ALT keys are working as SHIFT so i am unable to use most keyboard shortcuts.

I tried solving the problem in System Settings without success. Any help is appreciated.

teckk · 12-17-2019, 08:37 AM

Got the right key map for the keyboard that you are using?

US english for example would be a QWERTY keyboard.

rotopercutor · 12-17-2019, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teckk

Got the right key map for the keyboard that you are using?

US english for example would be a QWERTY keyboard.

Yes, i have English(US) keyboard layout

DavidMcCann · 12-17-2019, 10:45 AM

Let's see what's happening. Run the command xev in a terminal emulator and see what you get. The results for the left Shift, Control, and Alternate should include

Code:

keycode 50 (keysym 0xffe1, Shift_L)
keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L)
keycode 64 (keysym 0xffe9, Alt_L)

If the keycodes are wrong, it's a hardware problem. If the bits in parentheses are wrong, it's a keyboard driver and we can tackle it.

rotopercutor · 12-17-2019, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMcCann

Let's see what's happening. Run the command xev in a terminal emulator and see what you get. The results for the left Shift, Control, and Alternate should include
[CODE]
keycode 50 (keysym 0xffe1, Shift_L)
keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L)
keycode 64 (keysym 0xffe9, Alt_L)
[CODE]
If the keycodes are wrong, it's a hardware problem. If the bits in parentheses are wrong, it's a keyboard driver and we can tackle it.

When i press Alt or Ctrl i only get the keycode 50 for Shift. Also, i always get 0xffe1 (Shift).

DavidMcCann · 12-18-2019, 11:33 AM

So, Mint would seem to be not guilty. The keycode is what the keyboard is providing to the operating system. How about the keys on the right?

rotopercutor · 12-19-2019, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMcCann

So, Mint would seem to be not guilty. The keycode is what the keyboard is providing to the operating system. How about the keys on the right?

Right Ctrl, Alt, Super and even right Shift are getting the keycodes for left shift and keysym 0xffe1.

DavidMcCann · 12-19-2019, 10:23 AM

That definitely sounds like a hardware fault.

rotopercutor · 12-19-2019, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMcCann

That definitely sounds like a hardware fault.

I'm not sure, my keyboard worked fine before installing Linux Mint so I thought it's a problem with my OS, i will reinstall it.

boughtonp · 12-19-2019, 10:52 AM

If it's a standalone keyboard, do you have any other machines you can plug it into to test?

What type of keyboard is it - a simple one, or a macro/gaming one (which might do processing between the keys and the computer)?

What system were you running it against before upgrading?

Do you have any live USB/CD distros that you can boot to determine whether the OS is a factor?

rotopercutor · 12-19-2019, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

If it's a standalone keyboard, do you have any other machines you can plug it into to test?

What type of keyboard is it - a simple one, or a macro/gaming one (which might do processing between the keys and the computer)?

What system were you running it against before upgrading?

Do you have any live USB/CD distros that you can boot to determine whether the OS is a factor?

I solved it, it was so simple. I had a Scorpion Order K650. I tried it on another PC and it worked. Now i tried a myria keyboard on my linux and it works fine. Thanks