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[BKB]

Hi!

This is probably the most n00b question ever posted on this forum, but here goes:

(This all started when I upgraded to build 852, and I'm having these same issues both in gnome and in sugar)
When I use the XO, it frequently won't let me move the mouse unless I hold down the fn key. It seems that when viewing a web page, using the terminal, or if I'm somewhere where there is an interactive field, the XO will stop accepting mouse input. Sometimes, it will do something else instead (such as scrolling, on a web page). If I hold down the fn key, it will go back to acting like normal.
This goes for typing too. If I'm typing a web address, nothing will show up - unless I hold down the fn key. Sometimes, only a few letters will show up, and then it will stop working unless I hold down the fn key. And what drives me absolutely nuts is that in the terminal, instead of the up arrow key bringing up the last entered command, it moves the display up a couple of lines. Here, if I hold down the fn key, it sometimes will let me get the last entered command. Other times, it will give me the first entered command in the session and I can then "scroll down" to the last entered command. Sometimes, it will give me a command I entered way back in some terminal session before the last reboot, and then refuse to bring up any other lines.

Now I'm assuming that this is some sort of auto-assist technology. But please, please, is there a way to turn it off? I can't find anything in the settings that looks like a good suspect. I just want my touchpad to act like a normal mouse.

I would be very grateful for any and all help!
Thank you,
BKB

[BKB]

Addition: After being on for a while, the XO typically refuses to move the mouse at all unless the fn key is held down, even if I'm not mousing over any kind of input field.

[XOIOWA]

This is just a wild guess, but you may have fallen victim to the "sticky control key" problem.

If you're unaware of what I mean, please search this forum for "sticky control key".  It seems that some of the XO's (mine included) had a manufacturing issue with the lower left side of the keyboard.  For many of us that meant that the control key in the lower left side of the keyboard was intermittently staying held down.  Others had issues with the z, x, a, shift, or alt keys.  Pressing function may be just enough to un-stick the key that's sticking, and let you continue.

I fixed mine by following the 'official' method of disassembling and adding thin tape strips between the contacts.

Like I said, it's only a wild guess, but it may be worth checking into.

[mavrothal]

Another wild guess is that you may want to make sure that you are running firmware q2e45 (the about my XO control panel should have this info)
I think is coming with os852 but your XO must be plugged and with a (n almost) full battery during powerup, for the update to happen.

[BKB]

Thank you both your your advice! I will investigate.

[GregYohn]

I run Xubuntu and my XO freezes up when uisng the mouse.

I disconnect the mouse or hard boot to repair the problem.

Maybe Fn unfreezes it for me?

[BKB]

Using the "test keyboard" command at the firmware front confirms that the left "hand" key is indeed sticking. Thank you so much for your help! I never would have found that on my own. I will go ahead and take it apart and add some electrical tape.

[BKB]

That does seem to have solved the problem. Thank you again for your help!

[XOIOWA]

Glad to hear it!