Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

docFarto · 2023-01-23 18:58:19

I just got a new keyboard and right off the bat some of my keys are sticky.
I am trying to turn on sticky keys for them via my X window manager.
I got the keycodes and am trying to turn it on with just one for starters, I have tried using loadkeys which was giving me problems and I read is not the correct solutions anyways. I created a file called stickyKeys

keycode 15 = S6

I run the command loadkeys -C ./stickyKeys and I get the error Couldn't open stickyKeys
I have used chmod 777 to make sure anyone has access to it, but that didn't change the error

so I read about setxkbmap and decided to try that.
I am running the command
setxkbmap -v -layout stickyKeys
and here is my output

Warning! Multiple definitions of keyboard layout
         Using command line, ignoring X server
Trying to build keymap using the following components:
keycodes:   evdev+aliases(qwerty)
types:      complete
compat:     complete
symbols:    pc+stickyKeys+inet(evdev)+terminate(ctrl_alt_bksp)
geometry:   pc(pc105)
Error loading new keyboard description

I asssume the Warning is coming from my xorg.conf that has Section to set up ctrl alt backspace to end the X session

xorg.conf

Section "ServerFlags"
	Option "DontZap" "false"
EndSection
Section "InputClass"
	Identifier "Keyboard Defaults"
	MatchIsKeyboard "yes"
	Option "XkbOptions"
	"terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp"
EndSection

I dont think that is the issue, but am posting jusst in case. My real concern is the Error loading new keyboard description, I cant find anything about it online.
I would like to keep using this keyboard, even though it may not be working properly I should be able to fix it via X. Does anyone have any ideas?

seth · 2023-01-23 20:43:31

I just got a new keyboard and right off the bat some of my keys are sticky.

Don't eat over the keyboard…

I am trying to turn on sticky keys for them via my X window manager.

You're aware that this is an a11y feature for people w/ limited motoric skills? Not to compensate for broken hardware.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Access … e_keyboard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_keys

tl;dr, it allows you to press ctrl+c w/ only one finger.

I have tried using loadkeys

loadkeys is for the console, not X11

I get the error Couldn't open stickyKeys

man loadkeys wrote:

You can specify console device by the -C (or --console ) option.

You're trying to set the keymap as console device.
Stop messing around with that. Blindly altering the keymap will in worst case leave you w/ an unusable keyboard and force a hard reboot.

setxkbmap -v -layout stickyKeys

I asssume the Warning is coming from my xorg.conf that has Section

No, the warning is because "stickyKeys" is no valid xkb layout.

Does anyone have any ideas?

RMA the keyboard (unless the stickyness is your fault)
To be clear: you're not looking after the a11y feature but somehow want to software un-fix your broken hardware? That's not gonna happen.

docFarto · 2023-01-23 21:44:25

Hey thank you for the clarifications, I just have one more question I would like to ask.
From a software perspective there must be a way to check if you get multiple key presses within a certain timeframe that are the same key to ignore the 2nd and onward, especially if there has not been a key release? That definitely should be possible, what would one call that if not sticky keys?

V1del · 2023-01-23 21:58:08

You are looking for key repeat/delay: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xorg/K … y_and_rate

seth · 2023-01-23 21:59:46

You'd need to disable autorepeat for all or individual keys, https://man.archlinux.org/man/extra/xor … set.1.en#r

If RMA isn't an option and this isn't a sugar-laden beverage caused situation, you might have luck whacking the keyboard (on its back, not the side w/ the keys) about where the "sticky" key is.
Don't try to break it, but also don't be shy.
(Static build-up in the keyboard can block the signal and the shock resolves that. I have a, very old, keyboard that needs that couple of times a year)

docFarto · 2023-01-24 18:04:12

Thanks for pointng me in the right direction, I ended up using

kdbrate -r 9 - 500

and it so far is working great.
I probably should just have RMA'd it but sending it back in the mail just felt like a huge hassle and now it works so that great.

seth · 2023-01-24 21:58:31

Please always remember to mark resolved threads by editing your initial posts subject - so others will know that there's no task left, but maybe a solution to find.
Thanks.

Arch Linux

#1 2023-01-23 18:58:19

Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#2 2023-01-23 20:43:31

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#3 2023-01-23 21:44:25

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#4 2023-01-23 21:58:08

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#5 2023-01-23 21:59:46

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#6 2023-01-24 18:04:12

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

#7 2023-01-24 21:58:31

Re: Trying to set sticky keys on my X window system

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