• From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Topic: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

When i had #! on my netbook, i noticed that when i went to unlock the desktop from xscreensaver it kept saying invalid password, even though it was the correct password.

I found the problem was that my password contained £ which when i typed it on my netbook, it didnt seem to inputted into the password box(was no black dot)

I'll be putting #! back on my netbook soon, so il be able to see if this problem still occurs.


Sorry if this is the wrong place to posting this.

Last edited by cra1g321 (2011-09-03 00:55:43)

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7
  • From: Dusk Till Dawn
  • Registered: 2009-07-02
  • Posts: 4,431

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

well, we have no bugtracker *cough* so this is the right place. Have you checked if there is a bugreport already? This is definitely worth one.

Last edited by machinebacon (2011-09-03 06:42:49)

Nothing right in the left brain. Nothing left in the right brain.
  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

Just added a new user to my #! desktop which is fully updated, when creating the user with useradd or adduser (cant remember) i added £ to the start of the password.

Logged into the account then locked the screen, when inputting £ (shift key + 4 key) it still isn't inputted into the password box.
I tried other characters like !"$%^ and they seem to be inputted fine, so I'm thinking there might be a reason for this, perhaps ?

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7
  • From: Dusk Till Dawn
  • Registered: 2009-07-02
  • Posts: 4,431

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

I just noticed you are from Northern Ireland - sorry for my ignorance, but is there a special keymap used? (like for example the different french, or belgian keymaps)

Nothing right in the left brain. Nothing left in the right brain.
  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

Im just using the uk layout, how can i check what keymap/layout im using ?

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7
  • From: Dusk Till Dawn
  • Registered: 2009-07-02
  • Posts: 4,431

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

as root:

dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration
Nothing right in the left brain. Nothing left in the right brain.
  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

machinebacon wrote:

as root:

dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

That only lets me change to a new keyboard layout, doesn't show what one im already using.

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7
  • From: Dusk Till Dawn
  • Registered: 2009-07-02
  • Posts: 4,431

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

it does, because the selected element is the one which is chosen as default now. 

cat /etc/default/keyboard
Nothing right in the left brain. Nothing left in the right brain.
  • From: California, USA
  • Registered: 2008-11-29
  • Posts: 8,647

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

I would try the xscreensaver package from testing/unstable which is the latest. If it still happens, then either search for an existing bug or report a new one upstream (not here).

Note: ** Please read before posting **

BTW if you wish to contact me, send me an e-mail instead of a PM.
  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

machinebacon wrote:

it does, because the selected element is the one which is chosen as default now. 

cat /etc/default/keyboard

Entered this into terminal and got :

XKBMODEL="pc105"
XKBLAYOUT="gb"
XKBVARIANT=""
XKBOPTIONS=""

I don't really need to update/upgrade the xscreensaver packages or change sources list, i just changed my password. Just thought i would mention it on the forum because it would be annoying for someone to have work and apps open, then they lock their screen only to find they cant unlock it because their password contains £

I'll do a bit of searching and see if there's any similar posts/threads about this and where i can report this.

Last edited by cra1g321 (2011-09-04 21:12:03)

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7
  • From: Dusk Till Dawn
  • Registered: 2009-07-02
  • Posts: 4,431

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

Maybe because the pound sign is a non-ASCII character it cannot be used in the password (generally). I'll look into the problem, you don't need to report a bug yet - it is possible this is a system-wide problem, not an application-only problem.

Nothing right in the left brain. Nothing left in the right brain.
  • From: Northern Ireland
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 114

Re: Possible Bug with Xscreensaver

Ok no problem, let me know if find anything out.

Thanks, craig

Dual-booting Debian Squeeze (openbox) & win7