CentOS - May 2008 - Windows key works some times I boot, doesn't work others

Hi all,

I run CentOS5.1 with all updates, and like to use metacity's keybindings 
(gconf-editor->/apps/metacity/global_keybindings and 
keybinding_commands) to set shortcut keys for xterm, nautilus, and the 
like, so <Mod4>x runs xterm and <Mod4>e runs nautilus, rather how 
Windows-XP keyboard shortcuts work.  I always log on as 'neek', the only
user other than 'root' that I use for user shells on this laptop. 
I've
used a default Gnome desktop since fresh install about 4 months ago.

I find that sometimes when I boot, the keybindings take effect, and 
sometimes when I boot, they do not.  I reckon one of two things might be 
happening:

- on some boots, the gconf configuration that I have set up fails to be 
loaded
- on some boots, my windows key mapping somehow gets screwed, so that 
pressing it does not send a Mod4 keystroke to whatever recognises them

I don't think the former is happening, because I can run gconf-editor as 
'neek' and see my keybinding configuration even when the keybindings are
not working, such as this morning.

I suspect the latter, because I can press Mod4-x and get an 'x' 
character in places where I'd expect it to not give me an 'x', for 
example in an xterm pressing the key combination just sends an 'x' to 
the console, whereas alt-x does not.  When the windows key is working as 
expected, I don't see an 'x' echo'd to the console.

How can I investigate why my Windows key is not triggering the expected 
keybinding commands?

TIA
Nick

On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 11:13 PM, Nick Fenwick <neek at tcp.co.uk>
wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> How can I investigate why my Windows key is not triggering the expected
> keybinding commands?
>
This may seem dumb, but are you sure it's not your keyboard?  I use a
Logitech EX110 wireless keyboard and mouse, and every once in a while
the number keypad goes silent, and then it comes back for no
particular reason.  Could your Mod key be misbehaving?

Also, there are three key bindings files in gnome (none of which I
recall by name at the moment) but you need to make sure they all are
set correctly (there's one for each section of the keystroke
preferences window - desktop, multimedia and windows).  I had some
problems similar to this when the right settings wound up in the wrong
file, but nothing as sporadic as what you're describing.

HTH.

mhr