GDM Login Problem

QuantumXP · 29 Aug 2007 at 23:51

Today I have tried to login to my machine using a physical usb kb/mouse connection rather than using synergy over my network. The problem is GDM appears to freeze not allowing any text to be entered, in the odd case a few numbers only. If I bypass GDM I can happily use the rest of my system, so I dont think my xorg.conf is to blame.

I've had a look at the GDM and Xorg log files and nothing appears to be out of place.

I'm using a Logitech MX3100 cordless desktop connected via a usb connection. The same problem occurs using a generic PS2 kb/mouse.

Has anybody else experience this problem or know of a fix or workaround that doesn't invove disabling/bypassing the graphical login?

Vtec9k · 30 Aug 2007 at 13:40

Have you tried changing gdm and using kdm or xdm instead? Might help pinpoint the exact place things are going wrong.

there should be a gdmrc file in /etc/X11/ somewhere that might have some settings.

Also check /etc/sysconfig/mouse and /etc/sysconfig/keyboard files (In rhel4, other distros should have similar)

QuantumXP · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:55

Following your suggestion I gave xdm a try, it doesn't exhibit the same problem as gdm. This leads me to believe that the problem exits within gdm itself.

leezer3 · 31 Aug 2007 at 00:04

Probably a random question, but have you tried typing the full password & pressing enter, despite whats happening onscreen? It may be that GDM isn't actually freezing, just not displaying the characters as they're typed.

Next, try using some of the other buttons in GDM- Is it solely the text input thats freezing, or is it the whole application?

I wouldn't be certain it isn't in the Xorg.conf though- IIRC Gnome's keyboard options override those specified in Xorg

-Leezer-

QuantumXP · 31 Aug 2007 at 00:58

It's just the keyboard that seems to freeze. The mouse works fine allowing me to select shutdown/change session etc. On the odd occasion that i can get the keyboard to display some characters it tends to stick on the last char and repeat it forever.

The keyboard and mouse settings i use in gnome are the same as in xorg. When gnome is running i dont have a problem, running a text console is also trouble free and i tested xdm earlier and that too was ok.

GDM seems to be the only thing I can narrow down the problem to.

leezer3 · 31 Aug 2007 at 02:15

I would check dmesg & see if there's any odd GDM errors in there, but nothing springs to mind, as the keyboard seems to work everywhere else.
You could try switching the USB keyboard option in the BIOS to the opposite of what it is ATM- Long shot, but could be having an effect.
Another long shot, but try changing the GDM theme- If its corrupt, it could be causing odd issues.

If all else fails though, switch it out

KDM or XDM seem to be working fine, so TBH I really wouldn't bother too much over it, just use one of those; You only see it for a few seconds anyway.

-Leezer-