Ubuntu

Ctrl+Click File Selection Problem

Asked by Scott Moore

I'm running Feisty on an IBM Thinkpad X41 and I can't use "Ctrl+Click" to select multiple files in Gnome window manager. My "Shift+Click" works to select contiguous files, but for some weird reason my "Ctrl+Click" doesn't respond. However, both of my Ctrl buttons on the keyboard are working... as I can hit "Ctrl+T" to open a new tab in the Mozilla browser.

I've double-checked my keyboard preferences and they look fine.
I've looked at my /etc/X11/xorg.conf and it also looks fine. (Copy below)

Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Scott

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf(5) manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi"
 FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi"
 # path to defoma fonts
 FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
 Load "bitmap"
 Load "ddc"
 Load "dri"
 Load "extmod"
 Load "freetype"
 Load "glx"
 Load "int10"
 Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
 Driver "kbd"
 Option "CoreKeyboard"
 Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
 Option "XkbModel" "microsoft"
 Option "XkbLayout" "us"
# Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Configured Mouse"
 Driver "mouse"
 Option "CorePointer"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
 Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
 Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
 Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
 Option "EmulateWheel" "true"
 Option "EmulateWheelButton" "2"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
 Driver "synaptics"
 Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
 Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
 Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
 Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "stylus"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "stylus"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "eraser"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "eraser"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "cursor"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "cursor"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Intel 915GM"
 Driver "i810"
 BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "Generic Monitor"
 Option "DPMS"
 HorizSync 30-90
 VertRefresh 50-75
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Default Screen"
 Device "Intel 915GM"
 Monitor "Generic Monitor"
 DefaultDepth 24
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 1
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 4
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 8
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 15
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 16
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
 SubSection "Display"
  Depth 24
  Modes "1920x1440" "1600x1200" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
 EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
 Identifier "Default Layout"
 Screen "Default Screen"
 InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
 InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
 InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
 Mode 0666
EndSection

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Scott Moore
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#1

This is indeed strange. You can check if the events are detected by the X server. Open a terminal and give the command:

xev

Now try to press and release the ctrl key and the mouse button (move the mouse within the white window).
Do you see in the terminal the keypress, keyrelease, buttonpress and buttonrelease events?
For the key events, is (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L) reported?

We will proceed from there.

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#2

Hi Cesare,

Yes, I see both the Keypress and Keyrelease events when hitting the Ctrl
button... and then when I hold the Ctrl button and press my left mouse
button I see the following:
-----------------------------------------------------------

KeyPress event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 961011, (110,78), root:(239,608),
    state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

FocusOut event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    mode NotifyGrab, detail NotifyNonlinear

ConfigureNotify event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    event 0x2800001, window 0x2800001, (127,528), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x2e00020, override NO

ConfigureNotify event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    event 0x2800001, window 0x2800001, (151,522), width 178, height 178,
    border_width 2, above 0x14001c8, override NO

EnterNotify event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 969519, (110,78), root:(263,602),
    mode NotifyUngrab, detail NotifyNonlinear, same_screen YES,
    focus YES, state 20

KeymapNotify event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x0,
    keys: 2 0 0 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FocusIn event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    mode NotifyUngrab, detail NotifyNonlinear

KeymapNotify event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x0,
    keys: 93 0 0 0 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
           0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 969699, (110,78), root:(263,602),
    state 0x14, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

Thanks so much for your help!
Scott K. Moore

Cesare Tirabassi wrote:
>
> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Cesare Tirabassi requested for more information:
> This is indeed strange. You can check if the events are detected by the
> X server. Open a terminal and give the command:
>
> xev
>
> Now try to press and release the ctrl key and the mouse button (move
> the mouse within the white window).
> Do you see in the terminal the keypress, keyrelease, buttonpress and
> buttonrelease events?
> For the key events, is (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L) reported?
>
> We will proceed from there.
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>

--

Signature
Scott K. Moore
Chief Information Officer
www.ap-networks.com
Tel: 240.683.1001
Cel: 240.274.5007

Revision history for this message
Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#3

Thanks. I assume this is just an excerpt of all the messages?
What do you see when you press and release the left button alone (within the white window)?

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#4

KeyPress event, serial 28, synthetic NO, window 0x3000001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 998687, (361,-398), root:(375,10),
    state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x3000001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 1000833, (361,-398), root:(375,10),
    state 0x14, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

Cesare Tirabassi wrote:
>
> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Cesare Tirabassi requested for more information:
> Thanks. I assume this is just an excerpt of all the messages?
> What do you see when you press and release the left button alone
> (within the white window)?
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>

--

Signature
Scott K. Moore
Chief Information Officer
www.ap-networks.com
Tel: 240.683.1001
Cel: 240.274.5007

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#5

Cesare,

One thing of note.... When I hold the Ctrl key and click the mouse to
select additional files, the arrow cursor turns to a "+" sign.... I
thought that might help.

Thanks,
SKM

Cesare Tirabassi wrote:
>
> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Cesare Tirabassi requested for more information:
> Thanks. I assume this is just an excerpt of all the messages?
> What do you see when you press and release the left button alone
> (within the white window)?
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>

--

Signature
Scott K. Moore
Chief Information Officer
www.ap-networks.com
Tel: 240.683.1001
Cel: 240.274.5007

Revision history for this message
Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#6

Thanks, but, are you pressing the control key or the left button? The events you pasted are those associated to the control key!?
When you say "the arrow cursor turns to a "+" sign" is it just a plus sign or there is also an inverted L that marks the upper left corner?

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#7

Cesare,

The following output is from pressing the Ctrl key and then releasing
the Ctrl key:

----------------------

KeyPress event, serial 28, synthetic NO, window 0x3000001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 20603138, (105,-14), root:(109,33),
    state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x3000001,
    root 0x5d, subw 0x0, time 20604467, (105,-14), root:(109,33),
    state 0x14, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
    XFilterEvent returns: False
-------------------------

When I hold down the Ctrl key and then press my left mouse button to
select, the cursor turns to a "+" sign and then any mouse movement
actually moves the entire window. There is no inverted "L" that marks
the upper left corner.

Thanks,
SKM

Cesare Tirabassi wrote:
>
> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> Cesare Tirabassi requested for more information:
> Thanks, but, are you pressing the control key or the left button? The
> events you pasted are those associated to the control key!?
> When you say "the arrow cursor turns to a "+" sign" is it just a plus
> sign or there is also an inverted L that marks the upper left corner?
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>

--

Revision history for this message
Dennis Dirdjaja (dcd-ditsch) said : 		#8

Hi Scott, do you have desktop effects (compiz or beryl) turned on? Sounds like the shortcut for the »move«-Plugin overrides the normal function of ctrl+click.

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#9

Hi Dennis,

I don't have any desktop effects enabled.... any other ideas?

Thanks,
SKM

Dennis Dirdjaja wrote:
>
> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Dennis Dirdjaja proposed the following answer:
> Hi Scott, do you have desktop effects (compiz or beryl) turned on?
> Sounds like the shortcut for the »move«-Plugin overrides the normal
> function of ctrl+click.
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273/+confirm?answer_id=7
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>

--

Signature
Scott K. Moore
Chief Information Officer
www.ap-networks.com
Tel: 240.683.1001
Cel: 240.274.5007

Revision history for this message
Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#10

Dennis,

Do you have any other ideas on what I could do/try?

Thanks,
SKM

On Wed, 2007-06-20 at 09:30 -0400, Scott Moore wrote:

> Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
>
> Status: Answered => Open
>
> You are still having a problem:
> Hi Dennis,
>
> I don't have any desktop effects enabled.... any other ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> SKM
>
> Dennis Dirdjaja wrote:
> >
> > Your question #8273 on Ubuntu changed:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
> >
> > Status: Open => Answered
> >
> > Dennis Dirdjaja proposed the following answer:
> > Hi Scott, do you have desktop effects (compiz or beryl) turned on?
> > Sounds like the shortcut for the »move«-Plugin overrides the
> normal
> > function of ctrl+click.
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________________________________
> > If this answers your question, please go to the following page to
> let us
> > know that it is solved:
> >
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273/+confirm?answer_id=7
> >
> > If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> > following page to enter your feedback:
> > https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/8273
> >
>
> --
>
> Signature
> Scott K. Moore
> Chief Information Officer
> www.ap-networks.com
> Tel: 240.683.1001
> Cel: 240.274.5007
>
>
>

Revision history for this message
Dennis Dirdjaja (dcd-ditsch) said : 		#11

Sorry Scott,

no idea. Maybe there are suggestions from someone other?

Revision history for this message
Best Scott Moore (smoore) said : 		#12

System -> Preferences -> Windows -> Movement Key -> CTRL was selected.

So every time I was holding down the CTRL key it thought I wanted to move the visible window.