Hi guys,

I've been wondering why my keyboard stops working after while and I was trying to reproduce this problem.

Well, turns out that if I press the shift-key for 20 seconds or so my keyboard completely dies. I don't get any key response whatsoever. I can't type anything and not even ctrl+alt+backspace works.

The mouse keeps working and when I click on "Log out", the keyboard is working again once I'm back to KDM.

What's the matter here? I'm using the latest KDE 4.2 on Arch Linux.

TIA,
Blackhole

You've most likely activated "slow keys", you will need to hold down a key for a second or so for it to actually activate. You can disable it in System Settings -> Accessibility.

Zarin wrote:You've most likely activated "slow keys", you will need to hold down a key for a second or so for it to actually activate. You can disable it in System Settings -> Accessibility.

No, slow keys is disabled. Any other idea?

//Edit: I've also tried to disable/enable keyboard layout in System Settings, but the problem occurs regardless of those settings. Have you tried keeping the shift-key pressed for 30 seconds or so, Zarin?

You may wish to check the Modifier keys and other Keyboard filters in Accessibility. You may also wish to disable the activation gestures on the "Activation Gestures" tab of Accessibility.

bcooksley wrote:You may wish to check the Modifier keys and other Keyboard filters in Accessibility. You may also wish to disable the activation gestures on the "Activation Gestures" tab of Accessibility.

Thanks a lot bc! It was the checkbox "Use gestures for activating sticky keys and slow keys". I can't remember activating any accessibility things whatsoever. Is that a default? What does it do anyway? What kind of "gestures"?

Is it a bug or a feature?

Gestures would for example include holding the Shift key for an extended period of time, and are activated by default.

Slow keys are provided ( I think ) for people who have issues pressing keys at a high rate of speed ( Arthritis, etc ) and allow the key to be pressed for a longer period of time before triggering a keystroke.

Usually a prompt is displayed before they are activated however.