gnome-screensaver steals focus from rdesktop

This document (7000864) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment


SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 2
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 2

Situation

If gnome-screensaver is activated while the focus is on a rdesktop window, upon exiting the screensaver (either password protected or not) mouse
and keyboard are not working anymore (moving the mouse and clicking or typing has almost no effect). Only keys like X-windows and gnome shortcuts e.g. <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<L>, <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<F1> are still functional.

Resolution

Meanwhile there's fix, but the gnome-screensaver package is not yet released.
Versions above gnome-screensaver-2.14.0-19.52 should come with the fix.

Until then, a few workarounds exist.

1.) Make sure rdesktop doesn't have focus when gnome-screensaver is activated.

2.) If gnome-screensaver already is activated, switch to a textconsole (<Ctrl>-<Alt>-<F1>)
      log in as user and submit: " killall gnome-screensaver "
      Return to your X Session (<Ctrl>-<Alt>-<F7>) and continue

3.) The third workaround requires some initial work to be done but is the most convenient in day-to-day
      business.

      Note that the following steps require root permissions!
     
      Rename /usr/X11R6/bin/rdesktop to /usr/X11R6/bin/rdesktop.bin
      Save the following code to /usr/X11R6/bin/rdesktop:


#!/bin/bash

# Record original Logout short cut state
ORIG=$(gconftool-2 \
    --get /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/keybindings/power)

# Restore Logout short cut to original state
function restore()
{
    gconftool-2 \
    --type string \
    --set /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/keybindings/power \
    "$ORIG"
}

trap restore EXIT

# Disable Control-Alt-Del
gconftool-2 \
    --type string \
    --set /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/keybindings/power \
    ''

# Launch rdesktop
rdesktop.bin -K $@

################ End of File #################################

Now change the file's permissions:

chmod 755 /usr/X11R6/bin/rdesktop

      One drawback, this last workaround disables the Gnome shortcut <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<Del> as long as rdesktop is running.

Additional Information


Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7000864
  • Creation Date: 03-Mar-2009
  • Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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