Upgrading to Firefox 17 on ubuntu linux 10.04 caused my xmodmap remapped keys to not work in Firefox
After upgrading from Firefox 16 (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to Firefox 17 (17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) on 22-November-2012 I no longer can use an xmodmap remapped F key in Firefox. It still works in other gnome programs but pressing the new F key anywhere in Firefox 17 produces no action. I even had to use the gedit program in order to type all this before copying it into the Ask a Question form.
Here is my situation: I use Ubuntu Linux 10.04 LTS on a circa 2004 Sony Vaio notebook pc. I've been using linux on it dating back to Ubuntu 8.04. When I got the used pc the "F" key on the keyboard was broken off. I programmed the .xmodmaprc file in my home folder to initiate the "Keycode 133 = F" command on startup in order to remap the missing key to the unused Windows Logo key on the lower left of the keyboard. This has worked flawlessly for over four years. In all prior versions of Firefox going back to whatever version was included in Ubuntu 8.04 I have had no trouble using this key through all Firefox upgrades until now.
On the morning of 22-Nov-2012 the Update Manager notified me of an upgrade to the following packages as shown in the history log of Synaptic Package Manager:
Commit Log for Thu Nov 22 09:20:16 2012 Upgraded the following packages: firefox (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 firefox-branding (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 firefox-gnome-support (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 firefox-locale-en (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 ubufox (2.1.1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 2.6-0ubuntu0.10.04.1 xul-ext-ubufox (2.1.1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1) to 2.6-0ubuntu0.10.04.1
After performing the upgrade and restarting Firefox I noticed I was no longer able to use my remapped F key at all. I checked other programs and it worked OK so I know it's a Firefox 17 problem only. I tried reinstalling all the packages again with no results. I even went so far as to perform a Reset Firefox in Help-->Troubleshooting Information to try and get it working. All this ended up doing was removing all add-on extensions and changing some of my settings in Preferences but I'm not positive of any changes beyond the Location Bar setting in Privacy changing from Nothing to History and proxy setting going from No to Auto-Detect.
The only solution that has worked to fix this problem is uninstalling Firefox 17 and reinstalling Firefox 16 using a downloaded firefox_16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1_i386.deb file from Ubuntu as Firefox 16 no longer shows up in the main repository since 22-November-2012. The only versions available for a Force Version in Synaptic are 3.6 and 17 now. After downgrading only the firefox package shows version 16.0.2, all other components I listed above stayed at version 17. I don't know if this will cause any other problems but so far nothing bad has happened.
After I submit this question I will be downgrading again to Firefox 16 until this problem can be solved.
Edit: noted the following Language Packs were disabled on restart after downgrading to Firefox 16 again: English (GB) Language Pack 17.0 English (South Africa) Language Pack 17.0
If my memory is correct I only remember having an English (GB) Language Pack in all prior versions of Firefox. Firefox 17 was the first time I noticed a English (South Africa) Language Pack installed. It's possible the problem with xmodmap keys not functioning in Firefox 17 could be related to something in these two packs.
Modified by newforcefivefan
All Replies (4)
This one might be tricky as I don't use Ubuntu myself. And I understand that you can't upgrade to a more recent version of Ubuntu to see if the problem is fixed then. I also assume you can't, or don't want to actually repair your keyboard.
What you could try is to download Firefox 17 manually from mozilla.org and install it in one of your user folders, just to see if the problem you're experiencing is related to the specific package that Ubuntu shipped with 10.4 LTS. It you have the same problem with the vanilla package from Mozilla, then I'm out of ideas and I would recommend filing a bug in bugzilla.mozilla.org about this specific issue -- especially if you don't experience this problem with vanilla Firefox 16 (also installed from mozilla.org).
Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes!
Sorry I forgot to mention I'm running Ubuntu on a circa 2004 sony vaio laptop which is on it's last leg. In addition to the broken F key I'm also using an external display and mouse because the internal displays light bar can't decide if it wants to work or not. I was given this computer back in 2008 when my nephew screwed up the preinstalled windows to the point of not being able to boot or reinstall. Back then I had version Ubuntu 8.04 installed on it and over time upgraded it to it's current 10.04 LTS. Only reason I haven't gone over to the newest version of ubuntu at this time is as I've upgraded each version and taken updates for the kernels and installed components the computer has gotten slower and now barely runs programs that used to fly on Ubuntu 8.04. I tried staying with version 9.04 till I was forced to upgrade when that version was no longer supported. At some point in the near future I will do a clean install of the latest Ubuntu to see if Firefox 17 works with xmodmap or not.
For the time being I am going to try filing a bug report about this problem. I downloaded the vanilla version of 17, extracted to a folder and ran firefox from there and the remapped F key still didn't work. I'll have to try vanilla version 16 later and see if it works or not. I do know the version 16.0.2 firefox debian package from ubuntu does work. When I had vanilla 17 running I even tried disabling the two language packs it disabled when I downgraded to version 16 just to see if maybe they were the cause and it didn't fix it. As I said I've never had this problem with any prior version of Firefox on Ubuntu.
Thank you for trying to help.
Unfortunately I'm out of ideas since this is such a rare case (trying to re-map keys due to broken hardware, and to make things even more exotic, using an older version of Ubuntu).
Have you considered just plugging in a new USB keyboard and using that instead of this re-mapping solution? There are cheap and high quality keyboards for less than $10 these days (example: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-002478-Keyboard-K120/dp/B003ELVLKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354871813&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+keyboard).
Hope this helps.
Modified by David Tenser
Ok I tested a bunch of different Firefoxes on my pos linux box.
Worked with xmodmap: Vanilla 16.0.2, Vanilla 16.0B6, Ubuntu Firefox 16.0.2 (16.0.2+build1-0ubuntu0.10.04.1)
Did Not Work with xmodmap: Vanilla 17.0.1, Ubuntu Firefox 17.0.1 (17.0+build2-0ubuntu0.10.04.1)
I have an old Dell Dimension 2400 I plan to use as a replacement for the Sony Vaio when it pops. I've held out as long as possible because it lacks a pci or usb wifi and I really didn't want to run 50 feet of cat5 up a flight of stairs to it. [as i type this i think i remember where a linksys stick for it might be]. Yes I guess it's about time I just do that.
Don't laugh but the reason I held off adding a simple usb keyboard was just lack of space in my tiny bedroom. My setup is on two tray tables side-by-side. Sony Vaio is on left one, my lcd monitor and mouse are on the other. I barely have room to put a cup of coffee on the one with monitor and mouse let alone a full size usb keyboard lol.
Anyway thank you again for all your help.