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After using Windows or Mac OS X as the guest OS in VMware for Linux, sometimes my ALT, SHIFT or CTRL keys break and stop working. So I can't use ALT+Tab, for example.

Does anyone know what the cause is, and how to fix that?

Is there a way to make the keys work again?

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Not really related to the question, but if the same thing happens on a Windows host, pressing the Ctrl/Alt or Win Key quickly about 5 times in succession seems to "unstuck" the keys again. – user47977 Jul 9 '10 at 15:27
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2 Answers

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To fix the keys, just run:

setxkbmap

And that should restore them to default behaviour.

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You may be experiencing the VM capturing your keystrokes. If I am running VMWare or Virtual box my CTRL+arrowKey no longer works for rotating desktop cube. Also Gnome-Do cannot be called up with super+spaceBar. If that's not what you mean, then it's probably Neil's suggestion.

PS: Don't forget to install the VM software on the guest operating system (if available) to enhance integration, but I doubt you could very easily get your keystrokes to happen on both guest and host at the same time.

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I released control with CTRL+SHIFT+ALT already, and I've got VMware Tools installed. I'm not sure what's causing it. – Neil Sep 13 '09 at 3:28
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