Disabling PgDn Key in Xorg: Linux Tech Support Guide
In this article, we will discuss how to disable the PgDn key in Xorg on a Linux system. This can be useful for preventing accidental page scrolling or for customizing your keyboard layout to suit your needs.
Determining the Key Code
The first step in disabling the PgDn key is to determine its key code. This can be done using the showkey command in the terminal:
sudo showkey keycode 109
press keycode 109
release keycode 109
In this example, the key code for the PgDn key is 109. Make a note of this key code, as you will need it in the next step.
Disabling the Key with xmodmap
Once you have determined the key code for the PgDn key, you can disable it using the xmodmap command:
xmodmap -e "keycode 109 = NoSymbol NoSymbol NoSymbol NoSymbol"
In this example, the key code 109 is mapped to the NoSymbol value, effectively disabling the key. To make this change permanent, you can add the xmodmap command to your startup script.
Alternative Method: Using xkb
An alternative method for disabling the PgDn key is to use the xkb utility. This method involves editing the XKB configuration files to remove the key definition:
sudo vi /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc
Find the section that defines the PgDn key and remove the key definition:
key {
type= "PC_CONTROL_LEVEL2",
symbols[Group1]= [ Prior ],
actions[Group1]= [ LockMods(modifiers=Control) ]
};
Save the changes and exit the editor. Then, update the XKB configuration:
sudo setxkbmap -print | sudo xkbcomp - $DISPLAY
This method has the advantage of being persistent across reboots, but it may be more complex than using xmodmap.
- To disable the PgDn key in Xorg on a Linux system, you need to determine its key code using the
showkeycommand. - You can then disable the key using the
xmodmapcommand, by mapping the key code to theNoSymbolvalue. - An alternative method is to use the
xkbutility to remove the key definition from the XKB configuration files.