Why doesn't system accept both Alt keys for the Print Window option?

Support & Help Requests
1

My keyboard has two Alt keys.

For some idiotic reason, the system refuses to recognize the left Alt when I try to compose the PrintWindow (mate-screenshot -w) action. It will only accept the right Alt function for that.

Where can I go, or what can I enter, to make a permanent change that will recognize either key as valid to compose the PrintWindow action?

I've seen references to gsettings, but they all refer only to gnome, not mate, and I don't want to dive into that without being absolutely sure.

2

I tested on my um24.
Either left ALT or right ALT + Printscreen key take a screenshot of a window.

Control Center | Keyboard Shortcuts

image
image587×313 79.1 KB

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3

Is the physical key itself working, or registering as being held down? You can check with:

sudo evtest

I misread the post for this next bit, but a fun fact:

  • On non-US layouts, the right Alt key is actually Alt Gr which lets us type special characters like ¹²³€½¾º™±↑æ«»¢¶. If you had said the Right Alt key wasn't working, it could've been because the keyboard layout was set to an international US layout.
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4

Thank you, Pavlos. I already played around with that and it only used the right-Alt button, not accepting the left-Alt button for that function.

:frowning:

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5

Luke, you hit the nail on the head!

I was not aware that the Alt could be anything other than plain Alt, under any language selection.

However, I was using the English(UK) and English(Canada) keyboard choices, without realizing that they could affect the functional assignment of the Alt key to anything like Alt Gr. I guess I will revert back to plain English(US) for keyboard and stick to that ... except when the need dictates otherwise. :slight_smile:

Upon reflection, that brings me to offer the following pearl of wisdom":

"Each new day brings new learning.
      If not ... you must already be dead!"

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