"Error activating XKB configuration"

[serhalp]

Greetings.

I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron). I just installed a bunch of recommended updates plus the closed-source ATI accelerated graphics driver. I ran into some problems (namely, my alt key stopped working for certain shortcuts and I couldn't access other workspaces), so I uninstalled it and reverted to the open source driver. To make a long story short, I now have a problem with my keyboard layout. From what I understand, I seem to have "dead keys" enabled (to get an apostrophe, I must type ', then space; same for double-quotes). I'm using the 'USA' layout with the 'Default' variant. Any time I log in or change anything in the 'Layouts' tab of the Keyboard preferences, I get the following error:

Error activating XKB configuration.
It can happen under various circumstances:
- a bug in libxklavier library
- a bug in X server (xkbcomp, xmodmap utilities)
- X server with incompatible libxkbfile implementation

X server version data:
The X.Org Foundation
10400090

If you report this situation as a bug, please include:
- The result of xprop -root | grep XKB
- The result of gconftool-2 -R /desktop/gnome/peripherals/keyboard/kbd

xprop -root | grep XKB

_XKB_RULES_NAMES_BACKUP(STRING) = "xorg", "pc105", "us", "", "lv3:ralt_switch"
_XKB_RULES_NAMES(STRING) = "xorg", "pc105", "us", "", "lv3:ralt_switch"

gconftool-2 -R /desktop/gnome/peripherals/keyboard/kbd

layouts = [us]
model = pc105
overrideSettings = false
options = [lv3 lv3:ralt_switch]

I've tried several keyboard model settings, layouts and variants. I get the same error and the same 'dead keys' behavior with all combinations. I've also rebooted at several points.

I've followed the "successful" solutions of several users on these forums and others. I've unset the keys in /desktop/gnome/peripherals/keyboard/kbd from gconf-editor to reinitalize those settings and rebooted. I've tried it the other way around by commenting lines in /etc/X11/xorg.config and rebooting. I've removed the "scim" package as someone proposed. I've tried countless other proposed solutions as outlined in various forums, but to no avail.

Also, they often seem to suggest that 'dead keys' are part of the 'USA International' layout, which I am not using. There are also no 'dead keys' options under 'Layout Options' with which to work.

I'm stumped here. Does anyone have any idea what I could try next? I appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you!

[Motorhead Kaze]

Man! Just no help huh? I just posted a "Yeah me too!" on another very similar post.

I installed an ATI graphics card yesterday and did a lot of toying with the xorg.conf to get my dual monitors going together. At the SAME TIME I had an issue with Compiz just randomly turning itself on (I have desktop effect OFF) and turning my screen white! So, I did a lot of fixing...somewhere in there, my keyboard got switched from Japanese to an American one, and that is not good for me at all.

So yeah, I would really like to hear from somebody about how we fix this XKB thing! (My error message was identical to yours)

[Motorhead Kaze]

This is what I just did:

Type this into a terminal

 gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

to access your xorg.conf and go to the section called,

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	
EndSection

I had all these options right after "driver 'kbd'" and deleted all of those options. Then I went to system/preferences/keyboard and reset my keyboard to the way I want it (Japanese keyboard, 106keys). Now my keyboard is back to normal.

[serhalp]

Didn't do anything at all. I still get the same error every time I change the layout or any layout option and I still have dead keys enabled when they shouldn't be.

This problem is on my work computer - and I am a programmer. I've been dealing with it for nearly two weeks, and it's kind of a hassle... If anyone has any possible solution in mind, please let me know!

Thanks

[serhalp]

If anyone else still has this problem, let it be known that the latest updates to XKB have fixed my problem! After re-adding the default USA layout and removing the old one, everything was fixed! Huzzah.

[vmisha]

what exactly did you do...?