Arch Linux

pinchyfingers

Member

From: Bristol, PA

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 46

Website

can't switch virtual terminals

ctrl + alt + Fn won't switch terminals. I tried adding modMask = mod4Mask, and it did not work for me. The windows logo key doesn't become the meta key and alt no longer works as the meta key, and switching vt still doesn't work. I am using xmonad-darcs and I've been trying to get this to work right for days. Thanks for any help!

EDIT: This is not an Xmonad problem. I can't switch VT period.

Last edited by pinchyfingers (2008-11-24 22:10:59)

pinchyfingers

Member

From: Bristol, PA

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 46

Website

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

I guess I'm on my own. I'll post if I figure it out.

oew

Member

From: Norway

Registered: 2006-11-08

Posts: 105

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

Maybe you have disabled vt switching through xorg.conf?

> man xorg.conf

       Option "DontVTSwitch"  "boolean"
              This disallows the use of the Ctrl+Alt+Fn sequence (where Fn refers to  one
              of  the  numbered function keys).  That sequence is normally used to switch
              to another "virtual terminal" on operating systems that have this  feature.
              When  this  option is enabled, that key sequence has no special meaning and
              is passed to clients.  Default: off.

___
oew

---

there's no place like ~/

pinchyfingers

Member

From: Bristol, PA

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 46

Website

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

no, I used nvidia-xconfig and it generated an XF86Config file. Is that a problem? I've been worried that it might be.

Either way, that option is not in my config file.

What is a better way of generating an xorg.conf?

string

Member

Registered: 2008-11-03

Posts: 286

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

I'm not sure I understand. CTRL+ALT+F# in order to switch from one virtual console to another is not an XMonad keybind -- so why both with modMask? We *are* talking virtual consoles here, right? (/dev/vc/1, /dev/vc/2, etc.)

and alt no longer works as the meta key

.. that's exactly what's supposed to happen when you change the value of modMask to `mod4Mask` (you're practically telling XMonad: don't use ALT, use mod4Mask ("usually" windows logo key)). This modification probably does make your XMonad key bindings work with the WINLOGO key, however, not surprisingly, it doesn't solve your console-switching problems.

What is a better way of generating an xorg.conf?

I usually write xorg.conf by hand/from scratch, you decide if that's `better` (can't really call it "generating" though). Might help to post your xorg.conf along with any relevant logs

(I'm sorry I can't be more helpful at this time)

pinchyfingers

Member

From: Bristol, PA

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 46

Website

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig:  version 1.0  (buildmeister@builder57)  Wed Jul  2 12:30:48 PDT 2008

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier     "Layout0"
    Screen      0  "Screen0"
    InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
    InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Files"
    RgbPath         "/usr/lib/X11/rgb"
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load           "dbe"
    Load           "extmod"
    Load           "freetype"
    Load           "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    # generated from default
    Identifier     "Mouse0"
    Driver         "mouse"
    Option         "Protocol" "auto"
    Option         "Device" "/dev/psaux"
    Option         "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
    Option         "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    # generated from default
    Identifier     "Keyboard0"
    Driver         "keyboard"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier     "Monitor0"
    VendorName     "Unknown"
    ModelName      "Unknown"
    HorizSync       30.0 - 110.0
    VertRefresh     50.0 - 150.0
    Option         "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier     "Device0"
    Driver         "nvidia"
    VendorName     "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier     "Screen0"
    Device         "Device0"
    Monitor        "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth    24
    SubSection     "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes      "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

pinchyfingers

Member

From: Bristol, PA

Registered: 2008-11-04

Posts: 46

Website

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

I think I found my problem

(II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Keyboard0" (type: KEYBOARD)
(EE) Error compiling keymap (server-0)
(EE) XKB: Couldn't compile keymap
(WW) Couldn't load XKB keymap, falling back to pre-XKB keymap
(--) Mouse0: PnP-detected protocol: "ExplorerPS/2"
(II) Mouse0: ps2EnableDataReporting: succeeded

But I'm having plenty of trouble fixing it.

Last edited by pinchyfingers (2008-11-24 23:59:07)

FreakGuard

Member

Registered: 2008-04-27

Posts: 103

Re: can't switch virtual terminals

It's called something like "Don't zap"