Keyboard Stops Responding

[Paul Kaplan]

On Tuesday 06 February 2007 8:43:33 pm Matthew Flaschen wrote:
> Paul Kaplan wrote:
> > On Tuesday 06 February 2007 8:07:37 pm Matthew Flaschen wrote:
> >> This has happened twice so far.  My keyboard has completely stopped
> >> responding, with no warning.  I've been able to recover both times by
> >> restarting KDE.  The first time I restarted the whole computer.
> >>
> >> Just now, I managed to get xev started (not so easy without typing) and
> >> even it didn't detect any of my keystrokes.  Yet, this time I only
> >> logging out and was able to log in (by typing) right away.
> >>
> >> Can anyone speculate what might cause this?  It doesn't seem hardware
> >> related, but more likely low-level software.  I am using a Dell Inspiron
> >> E1505 with the built-in keyboard on Kubunty Edgy.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Matt Flaschen
> >
> > I had this happen a few times and I'm pretty sure it was caused by using
> > an outdate ~/.kde directory, especially when going from 3.5.4 to 3.5.5. 
> > The problem was solved when I renamed the directory and let kde rebuild
> > it at login.  I then copied only my bookmarks.xml file and mail folders
> > to the newly created ~/.kde directory and the problem didn't recur.
>
> I'll try this, though it may prove an annoyance as I've made various
> small changes (though I don't use Konqueror or KMail.
>
>   I haven't had
>
> > it happen since upgrading from 3.5.5 to 3.5.6 on edgy.
>
> Did you upgrade manually?  It seems Kubuntu Edgy KDE is still at 3.5.5.
Yes although the problem only occurred in Dapper going from 3.5.4 to 3.5.5
>
> By the way, it just happened again (before I read your email) and I
> noticed they first key that didn't respond was Backspace.  I highlighted
> a block of text with Shift-Down Shift-Right, then hit Backspace.  I'm
> pretty sure I was still holding Shift.  It didn't erase the text and no
> further keys responded until I logged off.
In my case, no keys responded, so I wasn't even able to log off.  My only way 
out was to (metaphorically) yank the plug and then reboot.
Paul