Keyboard layout on login screen (QWERTY) not consistent with keyboard layout when logged in (AZERTY) since upgrade

[Bernard François]

I recently upgraded from ubuntu 8.04 to 9.04 (by first upgrading to 8.10).

In 8.04, my keyboard layout was set to AZERTY (Belgian). I chose this keyboard layout when I initially installed ubuntu (that was 7.04 if I remember that correctly), and it always worked. I never had to modify any settings.

After the upgrade to 9.04, I noticed the keyboard layout changed to QWERTY. After logging in, I changed the layout back to AZERTY in system>preferences>keyboard. However, this didn't change anything to the keyboard layout used when logging in; this is still QWERTY.

I am not 100% sure if the keyboard layout was changed during the upgrade from 8.04 to 8.10, or during the upgrade from 8.10 to 9.04. However, I do think it's more likely it occurred during the latter, as I don't remember noticing any changes in keyboard layout after the first upgrade.

Note that when I go to tty1, I my keyboard layout also seems to be QWERTY.

I found an ubuntu 5.04 bug report of which the description matches my problem:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xfree86/+bug/8836

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: i386
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.6.0-0ubuntu14 [modified: usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so]
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=C
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersion: Linux version 2.6.28-6-386 (buildd@rothera) (gcc version 4.3.3 (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5hostname4) ) #20-Ubuntu Fri Apr 17 08:32:39 UTC 2009
SourcePackage: xorg-server
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-6-386 i686

[Arnaudus (a-lerouzic)]

This looks like bug #395103 ; declared as fixed but still living (bug #401180).

[Matthew Woerly (nattgew)]

That second bug was marked as a duplicate... I'm not sure that's right.
I've upgraded two machines to Karmic from Jaunty and noticed that my Dvorak layout switched to Qwerty for both.

[Andy S (andys-bristolwireless)]

+1. Had to install (9.04) by removing laptop hard disk to USB caddy, then use 2nd PC to install (laptop has broken cdrom + won't boot from USB) This worked fine* however, the laptop has French keyboard layout, but on boot to fresh install on laptop, X and console are still US layout, easy enough to add/change layout in Gnome, but less so in console/X.

Previously (xorg.conf) it would be a simple matter of editing the relevant section, but now this is less than trivial - not least due to there being no xorg.conf in the first place. Creating one would be a solution, but not easy for everyone. I could have attempted to select keyboard layout during install - but without knowing exactly which variant layout the laptop has, entering username/password with layout B then swapping to layout B could be tricky! Well it is now anyway as login screen/console are US and Gnome Fr!

*Luckily I noticed the 'Advanced' option on final installer screen, or I would have installed Grub to the temp host PC mbr and not the USB driver being installed to!

[Andy S (andys-bristolwireless)]

Additional: A possible solution is to run:

dpkg-reconfigure console-data

to redefine default keyboard layout of the console, and presumably X also, see:

http://www.malcolmhardie.com/weblogs/angus/2006/05/02/change-console-keyboard-layout-in-debian/

Not tried this yet, but no doubt will correct the issue at hand.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

[This is an automatic notification.]

Hi Bernard,

This bug was reported against an earlier version of Ubuntu, can you
test if it still occurs on Lucid?

Please note we also provide technical support for older versions of
Ubuntu, but not in the bug tracker. Instead, to raise the issue through
normal support channels, please see:

    http://www.ubuntu.com/support

If you are the original reporter and can still reproduce the issue on
Lucid, please run the following command to refresh the report:

  apport-collect 381872

If you are not the original reporter, please file a new bug report, so
we can work with you as the original reporter instead (you can reference
bug 381872 in your report if you think it may be related):

  ubuntu-bug xorg

If by chance you can no longer reproduce the issue on Lucid or if you
feel it is no longer relevant, please mark the bug report 'Fix Released'
or 'Invalid' as appropriate, at the following URL:

  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/381872

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

We're closing this bug since it is has been some time with no response from the original reporter. However, if the issue still exists please feel free to reopen with the requested information. Also, if you could, please test against the latest development version of Ubuntu, since this confirms the bug is one we may be able to pass upstream for help.