Keycodes
This page should be used to collect keyboard data from various laptop keyboards. The priority goes to laptop keyboards from the following manufacturers: IBM, Toshiba, Dell, and HP/Compaq.
Keyboard configuration for Linux and X11 is over-complicated, so collecting keyboard data may need to be done in three places: X11, the Linux kernel, and the BIOS.
Gathering X keycodes
In order to get the X keycode for a key, open up a terminal and run xev. Put the cursor in the window that appears, and press the key. The terminal should output information like this:
KeyRelease event, serial 28, synthetic NO, window 0x2800001,
root 0x46, subw 0x0, time 2178948, (142,22), root:(148,117),
state 0x0, keycode 164 (keysym 0x0, NoSymbol), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:If no information is displayed, it might be an X11 bug, a mis-configuration in the Linux kernel, or BIOS problem.
Gathering Linux keycodes and scancodes
If xev doesn't output anything when the key is pressed, check that the Linux kernel is getting the keycodes.
To check the kernel keycodes, you will need to switch to the console. To switch back to X, you will press <Alt> and <F7> at the same time. To switch to the first Linux console, press <Ctrl>, <Alt> and <F1> at the same time. Now run showkey and press the key you want to get info about. showkey will exit after no key has been pressed for a couple of seconds. If you get a result here, there is probably a bug in the X11 keycode conversion. If you do not, there may be a kernel configuration problem.
To check if the kernel is ignoring this key, check the kernel log. The easiest way to do this is from an X terminal. Run tail -f /var/log/kern.log and press the key. You may see information like this:
May 21 11:18:59 localhost kernel: atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0x93 on isa0060/serio0). May 21 11:18:59 localhost kernel: atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e013 <keycode>' to make it known. May 21 11:18:59 localhost kernel: atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0x93 on isa0060/serio0). May 21 11:18:59 localhost kernel: atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e013 <keycode>' to make it known.
This means that the console keymap is not configured to recognize this key. If you don't see anything, it could be because:
- The key only generates an ACPI event.
- The BIOS won't let the key emit any information until a "knock sequence" is intiated.
Modern BIOSes and keyboards
Some modern laptop BIOSes requires a "knock sequence" to allow the special keys to start generating any keycodes. HP Omnibooks and some Toshiba laptops require this. See the omke, FreeZeeButtons, and fnfx projects.
If a key is pressed, but no information is displayed in /var/log/kern.log, showkey, or xev, your laptop probably requires a "knock sequence."
If some of your keys only generate an ACPI event, then one possibility is to use acpi-keys. This small utility, if integrated with acpid, can generate X events.
Common laptop keys
Laptop keys |
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Key |
Full functionality |
"Rad" functionality |
Possible X keysym name (from XF86keysym.h or keysymdef.h) |
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Music/CD/MP3 |
Launch music player |
If the music player isn't running, start it. If it is started and it isn't the top window (minimized or hiding), bring it to the front. If it is the front window, minimize it. |
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Launch mail application |
Similar to Music key |
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Info |
Launch web browser |
Similar ot Music key |
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Play/Pause |
Stop or restart music |
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XF86AudioPlay or XF86AudioPause |
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Stop |
Stop music |
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XF86AudioStop or XF86Eject |
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Next track |
Skip to the next track |
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XF86AudioNext |
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Previous track |
Skip to the previous track |
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XF86AudioPrev |
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Mute |
Mute or unmute audio |
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XF86AudioMute |
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Screen lock |
Lock screen |
Should blank screen, then (if password set) go to lock screen with Ubuntu countdown on mouse or keyboard activity. Othewise, unblank screen. |
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Power profile selector |
Change CPU power consumption |
Should select power consumption profile. (A suggested list is Full Power, High Power, Normal, DVD Playback, Presentation, and Long Life.) |
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Standby mode (suspend to RAM) |
Suspend to RAM |
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Hibernate mode (suspend to disk) |
Suspend to disk |
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Display modes |
Cycle the display modes. (A suggested list of combinations: built-in only, built-in and VGA-out, VGA-out only, built-in and TV-out, TV-out only.) |
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Brightness down |
Reduce the brightness of the built-in display. |
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Brightness up |
Increase the brightness of the built-in display. |
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Wireless antenna toggle |
Enable or disable the wireless antenna. |
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Trackpad toggle key |
Enable or disable the trackpad. |
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Cursor overlay toggle key |
Enable or disable the Cursor overlay (enabling the use of the main keyboard for KP_Left). |
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Numeric overlay toggle |
Enable or disable the Numeric overlay (enabling the use of the main keyboard for KP_4). |
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Scroll lock |
Enable or disable Scroll Lock. |
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Specific laptop model info
Gericom Blockbuster |
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Key |
Known X keycodes |
kern.log output |
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236 |
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Info |
178 |
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Music/CD/MP3 (hardware music player requires special FAT32 partition |
237 |
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Loop |
160 |
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Play/Pause |
162 |
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Stop |
164 |
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Next track |
153 |
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Previous track |
144 |
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Known owners: ZygmuntKrynicki, VedranMiletic
Asus m6800N |
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Key |
Known X keycodes |
/var/log/acpid ouput |
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Numlock |
77 |
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Scrollock |
78 |
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|
completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000050 00000000" |
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Web |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000051 00000000" |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 0000005d 00000002" |
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Touchpad |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 0000006a 00000002" |
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Power profile selector |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 0000005c 00000002" |
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Play/Pause |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000045 00000001" |
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Stop |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000043 00000001" |
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Next track |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000041 00000003" |
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Previous track |
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completed event "hotkey ATKD 00000040 00000003" |
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Known owners: Alex Thomsen Leth megetspam@stofanet.dk
Toshiba Satellite M35X-S149 keys |
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Key |
Known X keycodes |
kern.log output |
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Music/CD/MP3 |
none |
atkbd.c: code 0x93. Use 'setkeycodes e013 <keycode>' |
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Play/Pause |
162 |
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Stop |
164 |
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Next track |
153 |
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Previous track |
144 |
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Mute (<Fn> + <Esc>) |
160 |
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Screen lock (<Fn> + <F1>) |
none |
atkbd.c: code 0xee. Use 'setkeycodes e06e <keycode>' |
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Power profile selector (<Fn> + <F2>) |
none |
none |
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Standby mode (suspend to RAM) (<Fn> + <F3>) |
none |
none |
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Hibernate mode (suspend to disk) (<Fn> + <F4>) |
none |
none |
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Display modes (<Fn> + <F5>) |
none (works once then requires a reboot) |
none |
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Brightness down (<Fn> + <F6>) |
239 (and dims LCD) |
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Brightness up (<Fn> + <F7>) |
none (works without generating keycodes) |
atkbd.c: code 0xd9. Use 'setkeycodes e059 <keycode>' |
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Wireless antenna toggle (<Fn> + <F8>) |
none (may work; untested) |
none |
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TouchPad toggle key (<Fn> + <F9>) |
none (disables TouchPad) |
off: kern.log: atkbd.c: code 0x9f. Use 'setkeycodes e01f <keycode>' |
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on: kern.log: atkbd.c: code 0x9e. Use 'setkeycodes e01e <keycode>' |
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Cursor overlay toggle key (<Fn> + <F10>) |
none (works without generating keycodes) |
none |
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Numeric overlay toggle (<Fn> + <F11>) |
77 (Num_Lock, but seems to only work once.) |
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Scroll lock (<Fn> + <F11>) |
78 (Scroll_Lock) |
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Known owners: FrankMurphy
Requires FreeZeeButton to activate keys. (It has a Phoenix BIOS, instead of a Toshiba BIOS, so fnfx won't work.) omke might also work.
Acer Aspire 1684WLMi keys |
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Key |
Known X keycodes |
kern.log output |
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Play/Pause |
162 |
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Stop |
164 |
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Next track |
153 |
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Previous track |
144 |
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Volume up |
176 |
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Volume down |
174 |
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Hot key help (<Fn> + <F1> |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e025 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Acer eSetting (<Fn> + <F2>) |
none |
none |
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Acer ePowerManagement (<Fn> + <F3>) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e027 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Sleep (Zzzz) (<Fn> + <F4>) |
none |
none |
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Display modes (<Fn> + <F5>) (untested) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e029 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Display on/off toggle (<Fn> + <F6>) |
none, but works fine |
none |
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Touchpad toggle (<Fn> + <F7>) |
none, but works |
Use 'setkeycodes e072 <keycode>' to make it known. when turning touchpad off |
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Use 'setkeycodes e071 <keycode>' to make it known. when turning it on |
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Mute (<Fn> + <F8>) |
160 |
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Wireless antenna toggle (front of laptop) |
none, but works () |
Use 'setkeycodes e056 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Bluetooth toggle (untested, module not installed, next to wireless button) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e058 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Euro sign key |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e033 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Dollar sign key |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e034 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Brightness down (<Fn> + <Arrow left>) |
239, dims LCD) |
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Brightness up (<Fn> + <Arrow right>) |
none, brightens LCD |
Use 'setkeycodes e06e <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Email key |
236 |
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Web browser key |
178 |
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"Acer E-Manager" (user-programmable) (name from manual) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e074 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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"P" (user-programmable) (name from manual) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e073 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Known Owner: Martijn van de Streek
Above values are the same for the Acer Extensa 1522wmli. Known owner: Koert van der Veer
Acer Aspire 1350 keys |
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Key |
Known X keycodes |
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Lower volume |
174 |
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Raise volume |
176 |
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Audio mute |
160 |
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P1 |
243 |
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P2 |
244 |
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WWW |
178 |
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236 |
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Known Owner: Marvin Raaijmakers
Notes: The "known X keycodes" listed above are detected on a 2.4 kernel. Some keys of these keys might not have a keycode in kernel 2.6. This keyboard is also supported by keyTouch: http://keytouch.sf.net
HP/Compaq tc1100 tablet keys |
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Key |
Purpose |
Known X keycodes |
kern.log output |
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External monitor |
Enable/disable external monitor |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e002 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Q menu |
Pop up a menu (helpful in tablet mode) |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e003 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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tab |
Tab key; map with setkeycodes e004 15 |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e004 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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ESC |
ESC key; map with setkeycodes e005 1 |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e005 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Jog up/left |
General purpose; useful as PGUP or scroll wheel up |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e006 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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Jog down/right |
General purpose; useful as PGDN or scroll wheel down |
none |
Use 'setkeycodes e007 <keycode>' to make it known. |
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LaptopTesting/Keycodes (last edited 2008-08-06 16:23:32 by localhost)