[opensuse] Keyboard non-responsive after login??

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[opensuse] mounting per user samba...

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

30 Dec 2008 30 Dec '08

13:28

Hi, I have another box with openSuSE 11.0 installed and recently typed a few rubbish characters into a file I was planning on retrieving remotely as well as plugging a USB flash disk. Immediately after this my keyboard would not respond to ANY input. I unplugged the flash disk but still no go. As I have had the kb a while I figured it had finally given up and so replaced it with a new one. Same result ie I am able to login but thereafter the kb is prevented from interacting with the system. I plugged in the old kb and logged into the root acoount and the kb worked fine on entering data into OOo. This to me points to the user profile being corrupt. I had a look in Yast to see if there was anything that might prevent my user using the kb and found nothing. So I phoned a Linux Guru. He told me that this sort of behaviour is apparently indicative of the X-Server being corrupt and that running: init 3 and sax2 -r should solve the issue. It happens if I had installed new hardware, with I had not, bar the USB pen drive. I ran init 3, logged in with the unprivileged user, tried the sax2 cmd and was denied access. I then su -, and tried again and as root the sax2 command completed. I logged out entirely and tried to login as the unprivileged user but got the same result ie kb wouldn't work after initial login. Old habits die hard and I then rebooted the system via the CLI and root, strangely enough the unprivileged user couldn't shutdown the machine, although they have done it before. Before any sysadmins pull their hair out I am the only user of the system and consequently mostly use the underprivileged user for day to day tasks but also have the root password if it hits the fan. :) The file system, in software RAID 5 mode, then needed an fsck and I said yes to all the messages fsck gave me about clearing blocks and changing inode numbers etc. After this the machine booted OK but still after login with the user, I cannot use the kb. I cannot do a fresh install and I have tried the 'Repair installation' on the install CD with no luck. Any suggestions, besides crying :) ? Hylton -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

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Carlos E. R.

30 Dec 30 Dec

13:42

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Tuesday, 2008-12-30 at 15:28 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote: ...

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After this the machine booted OK but still after login with the user, I cannot use the kb.

Create a new user and try. If it works, then try your normal user with an alternative environment (kde, gnome, xfce...). If this works, then remove or rename the desktop profiles of your user. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAklaJWAACgkQtTMYHG2NR9UyDwCgmLudFEbsFTn3m7xa/6RjN23h +ZoAoI+SDpnSXi1lGa02Jl8VT3YIlArp =XO8S -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

31 Dec 31 Dec

08:37

Tnx Carlos, OK., Created a new user and kb worked. Logged in as old user, kb didn't work under KDE, but did under IceWM. So it would seem to be a KDE problem... ...As I would prefer to NOT have to reconfigure the desktop, app windows etc on my new user, instead of renaming the desktop profile of the old user, could I rather not uninstall and reinstall KDE via the text mode Yast using a root login? That way my settings for the user stay the same for the app but the app is reinstalled/refreshed? Almost complete.. :) Regards Hylton 2008/12/30 Carlos E. R. :

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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1

On Tuesday, 2008-12-30 at 15:28 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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After this the machine booted OK but still after login with the user, I cannot use the kb.

Create a new user and try. If it works, then try your normal user with an alternative environment (kde, gnome, xfce...). If this works, then remove or rename the desktop profiles of your user.

- -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux)

iEYEARECAAYFAklaJWAACgkQtTMYHG2NR9UyDwCgmLudFEbsFTn3m7xa/6RjN23h +ZoAoI+SDpnSXi1lGa02Jl8VT3YIlArp =XO8S -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

-- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Carlos E. R.

12:06

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Wednesday, 2008-12-31 at 10:37 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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Tnx Carlos,

OK., Created a new user and kb worked. Logged in as old user, kb didn't work under KDE, but did under IceWM.

So it would seem to be a KDE problem... ...As I would prefer to NOT have to reconfigure the desktop, app windows etc on my new user, instead of renaming the desktop profile of the old user, could I rather not uninstall and reinstall KDE via the text mode Yast using a root login? That way my settings for the user stay the same for the app but the app is reinstalled/refreshed?

Reinstalling kde will do you no good, I'm afraid: the proof is that it works for a new user, so the software is good. You have to remove and redo your settings. Not all of them, perhaps, you could restore the settings for individual apps, like kmail; but most of them, the ./kde* directory. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAklbYGIACgkQtTMYHG2NR9V0rACbBpI8ME8fnQB2obHvC0S/XfA1 ohoAoIPX4b08HaQJutlD3wUVAM5Hr+ri =s6nD -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

nordi

12:45

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Reinstalling kde will do you no good, I'm afraid: the proof is that it works for a new user, so the software is good. You have to remove and redo your settings. I agree that reinstalling will not help. But he may not have to reconfigure everything. My ~/.kde/config has ~450 files, and one of

Carlos E. R. wrote: those files is probably causing the trouble that the Hylton has. Using binary search and assuming that copying+starting KDE+shutting down KDE can be done in 1 minute, it would take approx. 9 minutes to single out the config file that is triggering this. Regards nordi -- Spam protection: All mail to me that does not contain the string "suse" goes to /dev/null. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

19:40

2008/12/31 nordi :

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Reinstalling kde will do you no good, I'm afraid: the proof is that it works for a new user, so the software is good. You have to remove and redo your settings. I agree that reinstalling will not help. But he may not have to reconfigure everything. My ~/.kde/config has ~450 files, and one of

Carlos E. R. wrote: those files is probably causing the trouble that the Hylton has. Using binary search and assuming that copying+starting KDE+shutting down KDE can be done in 1 minute, it would take approx. 9 minutes to single out the config file that is triggering this.

OK regarding reinstalling. I have had a look on the troublesome machine at the ~./kde directory and there are a few sub directories in there but nothing mentioning config or profile. Should I just rename the ~./kde directory using the root user to ~./kde.2008-12-31? I guess then a login with the troubled user would recreate a new ~./kde directory? Then I need to reconfigure a few of the apps? Sorry Nordi the 'using binary search' concept flew over my head. Regards Hylton -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Boyd Stephen Smith Jr.

20:19

On Wednesday 2008 December 31 13:40:24 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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2008/12/31 nordi :

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I agree that reinstalling will not help. But he may not have to reconfigure everything. My ~/.kde/config has ~450 files, and one of those files is probably causing the trouble that the Hylton has. Using binary search and assuming that copying+starting KDE+shutting down KDE can be done in 1 minute, it would take approx. 9 minutes to single out the config file that is triggering this.

I have had a look on the troublesome machine at the ~./kde directory and there are a few sub directories in there but nothing mentioning config or profile. Should I just rename the ~./kde directory using the root user to ~./kde.2008-12-31? I guess then a login with the troubled user would recreate a new ~./kde directory? Then I need to reconfigure a few of the apps?

Did you spell the names "~./kde" or "~/.kde"? There's a sizeable difference between the two, and you want "~/.kde" not "~./kde".

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Sorry Nordi the 'using binary search' concept flew over my head.

"Binary search" to find problematic files in .kde: 0. Stop KDE. 1. Move 1/2 of the files out of the .kde directory. 2. Start KDE and see if the problem exists. If so it must be with the remaining files. If not, it must be with the moved files. 3. Stop KDE. 4a. If it is a problem with the remaining files: If more than one file remains, goto 1. If only one file remains, it is your problem. 4b. If it is a problem with the moved files, move the remaining files out of the .kde directory and put back the files you moved last time you were at 1. It is now a problem with the remaining files. 5. (optional) Start KDE to confirm the problem exists. If not, the problem is caused by the interaction between two (or more) files--one is one half one in the other--which is bad; you'll need a more sophisticated strategy. 6. Stop KDE, if it is running. 7. goto 4a. Each time you get to back to step 1, you'll verified that 1/2 of the files are good. For 2 files it only takes 1 visit to step 1 to find the problem file. For 4 files it only takes 2 visits to step 1 to find the problems file. For 513-1024 files it only takes 10 visits to step 1. -- Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. ,= ,-_-. =. bss@iguanasuicide.net ((_/)o o(\_)) ICQ: 514984 YM/AIM: DaTwinkDaddy `-'(. .)`-' http://iguanasuicide.net/ \_/

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

20:51

2008/12/31 Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. :

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On Wednesday 2008 December 31 13:40:24 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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2008/12/31 nordi :

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I agree that reinstalling will not help. But he may not have to reconfigure everything. My ~/.kde/config has ~450 files, and one of those files is probably causing the trouble that the Hylton has. Using binary search and assuming that copying+starting KDE+shutting down KDE can be done in 1 minute, it would take approx. 9 minutes to single out the config file that is triggering this.

I have had a look on the troublesome machine at the ~./kde directory and there are a few sub directories in there but nothing mentioning config or profile. Should I just rename the ~./kde directory using the root user to ~./kde.2008-12-31? I guess then a login with the troubled user would recreate a new ~./kde directory? Then I need to reconfigure a few of the apps?

Did you spell the names "~./kde" or "~/.kde"? There's a sizeable difference between the two, and you want "~/.kde" not "~./kde".

Tnx Boyd. The directory file is in my home directory so I assume ~/.kde Having a look at ~/ I see there is a /.kde and /.kde4 directory so I guess I should rename both?

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Sorry Nordi the 'using binary search' concept flew over my head.

"Binary search" to find problematic files in .kde: 0. Stop KDE....... <snip>

Tnx for the explanation but it would seem the renaming of a directory is FAR easier. :) Regards Hylton -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Boyd Stephen Smith Jr.

21:25

On Wednesday 2008 December 31 14:51:51 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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2008/12/31 Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. :

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On Wednesday 2008 December 31 13:40:24 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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I have had a look on the troublesome machine at the ~./kde directory ^^^^^^ and there are a few sub directories in there but nothing mentioning config or profile. Should I just rename the ~./kde directory using the ^^^^^^ root user to ~./kde.2008-12-31? I guess then a login with the troubled ^^^^^^ user would recreate a new ~./kde directory? Then I need to reconfigure ^^^^^^ a few of the apps?

Did you spell the names "~./kde" or "~/.kde"? There's a sizeable difference between the two, and you want "~/.kde" not "~./kde".

Tnx Boyd. The directory file is in my home directory so I assume ~/.kde

I only ask because your message consistently spelled it "~./kde".

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Having a look at ~/ I see there is a /.kde and /.kde4 directory so I guess I should rename both?

Probably just the one that corresponds to the version of KDE you are using.

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...
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Sorry Nordi the 'using binary search' concept flew over my head.

"Binary search" to find problematic files in .kde:

Tnx for the explanation but it would seem the renaming of a directory is FAR easier. :)

Maybe. Depends on how long it takes you to reconstruct your settings. After the binary search technique nearly all your setting are there. After renaming the directory nearly all your settings are gone. -- Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. ,= ,-_-. =. bss@iguanasuicide.net ((_/)o o(\_)) ICQ: 514984 YM/AIM: DaTwinkDaddy `-'(. .)`-' http://iguanasuicide.net/ \_/

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

1 Jan 1 Jan

06:30

2008/12/31 Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. :

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On Wednesday 2008 December 31 14:51:51 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

<,snip>

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Having a look at ~/ I see there is a /.kde and /.kde4 directory so I guess I should rename both?

Probably just the one that corresponds to the version of KDE you are using.

OK,, so as I am using KDE4, I log into the box as the troubled user, using a different window manager, rename the file, logout and login back in under ke4, and all should work again, bar me having to reconfigure an app or twos window settings?

...

...
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"Binary search" to find problematic files in .kde:

Tnx for the explanation but it would seem the renaming of a directory is FAR easier. :)

Maybe. Depends on how long it takes you to reconstruct your settings. After the binary search technique nearly all your setting are there. After renaming the directory nearly all your settings are gone.

Have to admit it sounds better but seems to complex to do as a 'newbie' user. Perhaps I can explore this type of troubleshooting in another thread. Regards Hylton -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)

2 Jan 2 Jan

13:21

SOLVED (explanation below) 2009/1/1 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) :

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2008/12/31 Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. :

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On Wednesday 2008 December 31 14:51:51 Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

<,snip>

...
...
Having a look at ~/ I see there is a /.kde and /.kde4 directory so I guess I should rename both?

Probably just the one that corresponds to the version of KDE you are using.

OK,, so as I am using KDE4, I log into the box as the troubled user, using a different window manager, rename the file, logout and login back in under ke4, and all should work again, bar me having to reconfigure an app or twos window settings?

I deleted the ~/.kde4 directory using the same user but on a different window manager Logged off and then resigned in with the same user who stopped being able to log into KDE4. Came up fine although I will need to redo some window and desktop redecoration. Thanks for all the help folks. Regards Hylton P.S: I wonder if this 'feature' is also available in 11..1/11.2? -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Carlos E. R.

31 Dec 31 Dec

23:07

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Wednesday, 2008-12-31 at 21:40 +0200, Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC) wrote:

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Should I just rename the ~./kde directory using the root user to ~./kde.2008-12-31?

Just log in using another desktop, as your normal user. Gnome, xfce, etc. Or text mode. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAklb+2cACgkQtTMYHG2NR9UTBwCfUokbuqJjVR2dU0Ca9/O687Nv asAAn1QUrqH5aGxtRdkdJNJzntluO54G =sYdE -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

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Boyd Stephen Smith Jr.
Carlos E. R.
Hylton Conacher (ZR1HPC)
nordi