Arch Linux

monkeypants

Member

Registered: 2014-08-18

Posts: 64

External Keyboard Language.

I've got Arch installed on a laptop with a UK keyboard and I often plug in an external keyboard.  The external keyboard is also UK, but when I use it the key layout is US.  The laptop keyboard continues to function with UK layout, and XFCE Keyboard manager still says it's set to a UK keyboard, but the external keyboard continues to have the wrong input.

onslow77

Member

Registered: 2014-09-21

Posts: 283

Re: External Keyboard Language.

Hello,

Have you set your keyboard layout in your ".xinitrc"? Also check if you have a config file in your "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/" that is effecting the layout. If you have allready, set it to match what you whant, if not, you could create one, see https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ke … tion_files

Regards
Martin

Last edited by onslow77 (2015-02-13 01:30:06)

alphaniner

Member

From: Ancapistan

Registered: 2010-07-12

Posts: 2,810

Re: External Keyboard Language.

I think the answer here is relevant. Its probably not compatible with use of the XFCE keyboard manager though.

---

But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist.
-Lysander Spooner

monkeypants

Member

Registered: 2014-08-18

Posts: 64

Re: External Keyboard Language.

My user does not have a .xinitrc in the home directory, and there is only '50-cros-touchpad.conf' in the xorg.conf.d directory.

The keyboard layout is configured correctly.  Before boot (when I put in the system password BEFORE LOGIN) it is in US.  When I reach the login screen it is UK.  Everything from login onwards, including in xfce session is UK layout, how it should be.  It's only when I plug in the external (UK) keyboard that it behaves incorrectly.

monkeypants

Member

Registered: 2014-08-18

Posts: 64

Re: External Keyboard Language.

I think the answer here is relevant. Its probably not compatible with use of the XFCE keyboard manager though.

It's not relevant.  I have a UK keyboard and a UK keyboard.  How can I make this clearer?

alphaniner

Member

From: Ancapistan

Registered: 2010-07-12

Posts: 2,810

Re: External Keyboard Language.

I have a UK keyboard and a UK keyboard.  How can I make this clearer?

It's perfectly clear, just irrelevant. Granted it may not be an ideal solution, but if it worked for that case it seems to me it will work for yours.

---

But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist.
-Lysander Spooner

onslow77

Member

Registered: 2014-09-21

Posts: 283

Re: External Keyboard Language.

The keyboard layout is configured correctly.

If it where, the layout would also be correct when you pluged in your external keyboard, would it not.

What happens if you create a ".xinitrc" in your $HOME and set the layout there, or put a config file for the keyboard in "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/" as I suggested?

Also, it does not matter that you have a UK keyboard for the suggested solution that Alphaniner gave you, wich is also in the line with what I suggested. I suggest you read up on the example Alphaniner gave you and check the wiki page I linked so that you can try something similar.

Regards
Martin

Last edited by onslow77 (2015-02-13 02:24:34)

00000Tristan

Member

Registered: 2019-01-07

Posts: 1

Re: External Keyboard Language.

I had the same problem. When you start X your display manager will set your keyboard layout to whatever you configured it. However apparently this configuration is somehow bounded to your current keyboard(s). When you plug in an external keyboard afterwards, the X keyboard configuration you set is not bounded to this keyboard. So you need to configure it again. The right way to do this is:

setxkbmap uk

2ManyDogs

Forum Fellow

Registered: 2012-01-15

Posts: 4,648

Re: External Keyboard Language.

00000Tristan, welcome to the forum. Please pay attention to the dates on threads. This thread is four years old. Please read the Code of Conduct and do not necrobump.

Closing.