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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: miminashi on Wed, 02 September 2015, 15:34:31

Title: HHKB Pro 2 Ubuntu Configuration
Post by: miminashi on Wed, 02 September 2015, 15:34:31
I recently received HHKB Pro 2 (model PD-KB400B), and I'm having some issues getting it set up in Ubuntu 14.04.

The main issue is that the meta keys aren't producing the meta keycodes -- rather, they are producing muhenkan and henkan used for Japanese input. Since I got this keyboard primarily to use with Emacs, this is a bit of a bummer. A secondary issue is that the tilde key is generating 'escape'. Pressing shift+tilde does produce a tilde, but that leaves no way to enter a back tick.

I've tried various switch settings, but haven't had any luck. I also tried changing the keyboard layout in Ubuntu using the settings manager, but so far that hasn't worked out, either. I've read conflicting information about using xmodmap or xkb to remap the keys, but haven't gotten anything to work. Right now I have all the switches in the 'off' position.

Is anyone using the HHKB in Ubuntu 14.04? If so, care to share your configuration? Are there firmware differences between Japanese and US models? So many questions ...
Title: Re: HHKB Pro 2 Ubuntu Configuration
Post by: suicidal_orange on Wed, 02 September 2015, 16:16:48
I have that model HHKB and use Linux but I don't use emacs and don't know which key is a meta key or what it should do - if you can tell me these things I can try and test them and help you work it out.

I can say that my backtick works fine, I'm not seeing anything resembling Japanese, and my keymap is set to ISO-UK.  I have only switch 3 "on" but that shouldn't make any difference.
Title: Re: HHKB Pro 2 Ubuntu Configuration
Post by: Hypersphere on Wed, 02 September 2015, 16:38:37
I have the same model of HHKB Pro 2 that I purchased from EliteKeyboards in the USA. I have the DIP switches set with 2, 3, and 6 ON and the other OFF. I use the keboard with Mac OS X, Linux Mint 17.2 (which is based on Ubuntu 14.04), and Windows 8.1. I have had no issues with any of the keys, including the "diamond" key (Super, Command, or "Windows") or the Backtick/Tilde key.
Title: Re: HHKB Pro 2 Ubuntu Configuration
Post by: MJ45 on Wed, 02 September 2015, 17:15:51
I have the same model of HHKB Pro 2 that I purchased from EliteKeyboards in the USA. I have the DIP switches set with 2, 3, and 6 ON and the other OFF. I use the keboard with Mac OS X, Linux Mint 17.2 (which is based on Ubuntu 14.04), and Windows 8.1. I have had no issues with any of the keys, including the "diamond" key (Super, Command, or "Windows") or the Backtick/Tilde key.
Same here no issues, I would suggest DIP sw 2 on (Mac mode) and test the  HHKB on another computer to see if it is a keyboard or computer issue.
Title: Re: HHKB Pro 2 Ubuntu Configuration
Post by: miminashi on Wed, 02 September 2015, 18:10:14
Cool, thanks for the responses. The tilde/backtick issue came down to an xkb setting -- 'japan:hztg_escape'. Clearing the option got rid of the issue. Now I just need to figure out how to make it permanent. As for the diamond keys, that appears to come down to configuration as well. Mapping the left diamond to FN seems good to me, but time will tell.

Thanks again for allaying my fears. I was worried that there was a firmware issue or something, but it looks like everything is working as it should.