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How to set the Meta key with xkb? Adding 

key <AA06> {    [ meta,         meta    ]    };

to /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/us (in the "basic" section) and then running sudo dpgk-reconfigure xkb-data seems to work some times, and other times not. In particular, it seems to forget my setting when I switch back and forth between keyboard layouts (even though I added a similar line to the Swedish layout that I'm also using).

Checking with xev, the key I want as meta is initially mapped to Meta_L (as it should be) but after a switch of keyboard layouts, it's mapped to NoSymbol. Sometimes the behaviour is less predictable, and it's mapped to 'NoSymbol' already at boot.

How would I go ahead to get a better picture of where it's going wrong?

tom4everitt
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    Try modifying /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc – user.dz May 02 '14 at 11:41
  • Thanks. That seems to be the place to edit control keys. Behaviour is similar to before though (possibly because I'm just guessing at the syntax).

    At the moment the Meta key seems to be set this way key <META> { [ NoSymbol, Meta_L ] }; modifier_map Mod1 { <META> };

    I tried to change that to key <META> { [Meta_L] }; but no noticeable effects.

     – tom4everitt May 03 '14 at 10:08
  • Thanks, that I already run every time. Sorry for not mentioning it. Added it to the question now. – tom4everitt May 04 '14 at 09:08
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    Sorry I don't have any extended keyboard to try, see with key <AA06> { [ NoSymbol, Meta_L ] }; modifier_map Mod1 { <AA06> }; – user.dz May 04 '14 at 09:13
  • Nope, didn't work. Thanks for your help. I think I can live without the meta key, it's not too important. Cheers – tom4everitt May 04 '14 at 10:28

1 Answers1

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Have you tried removing the existing compiled keybindings?

sudo rm /var/lib/xkb/*.xkm

Then, restart.

Credit: Why did 13.10 break my custom keyboard layout?

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mcaleaa
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