solved: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

[synaptik]

Under keyboard shortcuts in Kcontrol, I am trying to change (or add as an alternate, preferrably) the Popup Launch Menu (kmenu) shortcut to use the Windows key. However, when I press this key to specify it, it doesn't stick and as soon as I let go the field is empty. I've also tried to hold the Win key and then click Save, but that doesn't work either.

This seems pretty basic, so I don't know why this doesn't work. Is there another way of doing this?

[monte48lowes]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

I believe that the windows key is used similar to 'Shift' or 'Ctrl'. It is a modifier key which requires another key to perform an action. I can access the kmenu with Ctrl-Esc, just as in windows.

Mike

[Snowhog]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

The solution is simple. When you have clicked on the Popup Launch Menu, under Shortcut for Selected Action click Custom. This opens another window. Click Alternate shortcut and then just press the Windows key and click on Ok and then Apply. That's it!

[synaptik]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

The solution is simple. When you have clicked on the Popup Launch Menu, under Shortcut for Selected Action click Custom. This opens another window. Click Alternate shortcut and then just press the Windows key and click on Ok and then Apply. That's it!

That's what I'm saying, Snowhog, that method does not work. But it seems like it should.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

I posted the 'solution' because I did it, and it does work. I set my Windows key to be the Popup Launch Menu and it did just that - opened K Menu with a single push of the Windows key. It stayed open until I pressed the Windows key again.

[synaptik]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

I posted the 'solution' because I did it, and it does work. I set my Windows key to be the Popup Launch Menu and it did just that - opened K Menu with a single push of the Windows key. It stayed open until I pressed the Windows key again.

Hm. That's exactly what I'm doing. But the Win key (text) disappears when I let go. And if I hold the Win key and press Save, it doesn't set either.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

Okay. I just did it again. When you've selected Custom and you are presented with the next window and you check Alternate and then press the Window key, the window closes and you are back at the first screen. Note that the button now shows Alt+F1;Multi_key
Now just click on Apply and close the window. Then test by pressing the Windows key. As I said, it works for me.

[synaptik]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

Okay. I just did it again. When you've selected Custom and you are presented with the next window and you check Alternate and then press the Window key, the window closes and you are back at the first screen.

This and everything after it doesn't happen for me. After I press the Windows key, "Win+" appears briefly in the Alternate shortcut field, then when I let go of the Windows key, it disappears.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

Are you running Gutsy, or an earlier version?? This is what the display screen looks like after my steps to set the Windows key as described:

[synaptik]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

I believe you! lol It just isn't working for me.

I am running Gutsy.

[Snowhog]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

You might go through these steps:

Open kcontrol (Alt+F2 and type kcontrol)
Click on Regional & Accessibility
Click on Keyboard Layout
Click the Xkb Options tab
Check the Enable xkb options box
Scroll down the list and check the Compose Key Position box
Select the key you want to be used as the Compose key by unselecting the rest
Click Apply
Press Ctrl+Alt+BkSp to restart

This is the only 'other' thing I did, and it was not related to your issue, a few days back in order to get accented (cedillia) characters to work for another member. Do the above, and then go through the steps I outlined for setting the Windows key for the popup.

[synaptik]

Re: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

that did it! thanks Snow!

[Snowhog]

Re: solved: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

You're very welcome. Glad that I could be of assistance.

[SpikoPath]

Re: solved: Kmenu keyboard shortcut using Windows key - problem

I tried doing what snowhog suggested, but it didn't work at first

Open kcontrol (Alt+F2 and type kcontrol)
Click on Regional & Accessibility
Click on Keyboard Layout
Click the Xkb Options tab
Check the Enable xkb options box
Scroll down the list and check the Compose Key Position box
Select the key you want to be used as the Compose key by unselecting the rest
Click Apply

At this stage got a permissions error saying it couldn't write to the configuration file in my home directory but with the knowledge from the issue I was having with dolphin, I used these commands to give me permission.

cd /home
sudo chown -R username:username username

Just replace 'username' with your own

I was able to continue with the rest of the process and it is now functioning fine.

Thanks Snowhog