'Print screen' key doesn't work on HP Pavilion DV6 M 370 (solved)

[oldaolgeezer]

On this PC, my print screen key did not start a screen capture.

Other owners of similar HP Pavillion dv6 PC's also reported the same issue:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sour ... omments/27
and https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sour ... ug/1295994

I used the xev command to display the actual key code generated
while hitting the PrintScr key:
the utility xev showed that my HP Pavillion dv6 sends a 218 code when
its PrintScr key is pressed ! (The "standard value" is 107.)

Here is my "fix" using bookworm 10.0.6, go to the file:
/usr/share/X11/xkb/keycodes/evdev
and display the not working code:
cat evdev | grep PRSC
<PRSC> = 107;

This fix (needed for the first run of a new Puppy Linux iso on my HP Pavillion dv6 )
is to edit /usr/share/X11/xkb/keycodes/evdev,
and search for PRSC (note upper case) and change the 107 value to be 218.

I needed to save that edit change and reboot.

my print screen key on my HP Pavillion dv6 now works.

[mikewalsh]

@oldaolgeezer :-

O-kay. Now; what would the recommended 'workaround' be for those of us using these modern wireless 'mini' keyboards that don't have a PrintScreen key? What d'you think?

Just curious, really....

Mike.

[Wiz57]

@oldaolgeezer :-

O-kay. Now; what would the recommended 'workaround' be for those of us using these modern wireless 'mini' keyboards that don't have a PrintScreen key? What d'you think?

Just curious, really....

Mike.

On this Dell Latitude, it is key combo Fn key plus F11...

[oldaolgeezer]

Hi Mikewalsh and Wiz57:

Firstly, I don't have any modern wireless 'mini' keyboard(s) !

But I assume, even for wireless dongle or bluetooth keyboards, the key code
is captured and then "sent" thru the evdev logic.

But while we waiting for someone more knowledge than me, I might suggest a
plan using the xev command to display the actual key code (of your
wireless 'mini' keyboard) and taping once a single key you don't use
and discover its code value that it generates with the xev command.)

(The xev command produces quite a bit of output even for taping just one key.
KeyPress event ... KeyRelease event ... keycode, etc.)

I don't know how to combine holding down a "shift type" key codes with a second key tap keycode.

And then editing /usr/share/X11/xkb/keycodes/evdev and search for PRSC
string and change the 107 value to the the new value you just found.
(and save and reboot).

Other Puppy forum people should comment with corrections and/or comments.

[jamesbond]

O-kay. Now; what would the recommended 'workaround' be for those of us using these modern wireless 'mini' keyboards that don't have a PrintScreen key? What d'you think?

Why of course, Mike, all you need to do is get a full-size external keyboard

[bigpup]

Look at the manual for the mini keyboard.

I would think it would give info on doing this or what keys could be assigned to something else.

Probably would be alt+ some other key or fn+ some other key. So the key could still be used for what it is labeled.

Print screen is kind of standard feature, just not standard on how to get it.