[Bug 155142] New: The keyboard stops responding except for repeats

[Vivien Mallet]

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http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=155142         
           Summary: The keyboard stops responding except for repeats
           Product: kde
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: Ubuntu Packages
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: crash
          Priority: NOR
         Component: general
        AssignedTo: unassigned-bugs kde org
        ReportedBy: Vivien_Mallet excite com


Version:            (using KDE KDE 3.5.8)
Installed from:    Ubuntu Packages
OS:                Linux

I report a very annoying problem, but with very little expectations as I only have the symptoms and I have no hints about the cause. Maybe other people will contribute and help finding out the cause.

I am under Kubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (7.10), with kdm and KDE (3.5.8). After some time under KDE, the keyboard stops responding. It happens once or twice a (full) day, on average. The event seems to be completely random. It can occur three times in the same hour and no more for the rest of the day. Whatever the applications and the connected items may be (memory sticks, etc.).

Actually, the keyboard responds only with repeats if I hold down a key for a long time (say, 2 seconds, which is longer than my usual repeats threshold). But only some keys, not all. It does not work with "Num Lock" or "Caps": they never respond. I cannot kill X with ctrl+alt+backspace. "Ctrl" and "Alt" cannot be used.

The bug report #109322 seems to be similar, but the mouse does not behave in the same way. This is not like "Alt", "Ctrl" or both where activated all the time. The mouse behaves perfectly.

If I log out, I get back the keyboard immediately in kdm (login screen), thus with relaunching Xorg. This is why it may be related to KDE more than to Xorg. Everything is working fine when I eventually log in again.

I have checked in the logs: kernel, xorg, kde, etc. I did not find any particular event. After the keyboard stops working, I have tried to unplug and replug a USB keyboard (in different USB plugs and with different keyboards): no way... Still the same behavior. But the unplug and replug actions were correctly detected by Xorg (seen in xorg.conf).

Other remarks: I had the same problem in Kubuntu Feisty Fawn (7.04); I have the problem with and without dual screens; I do not experience the problem with my laptop (even with an external USB keyboard).