Re: Emacs does not recognize the alt modifier key

[Tim X <timx@nospam.dev.null>]

Tim Johnson <tim@johnsons-web.com> writes:

> Using emacs 22.3.1 on Slackware 13.0 32-bit, stock install.
> FYI: Used emacs extensively at one time, after several years,
> have resumed usage.
>
> Emacs does not recognize the alt key on this Operating system. Emacs
> does recognize the following modifiers: control, hyper and super. The
> last two are set via xmodmap.  xev will recognize the 'alt' key as do
> other applications - such as vim.
>
> <esc> + char sequences appear to be interpreted the same as an alt-char
> combination. (As I would expect)
>
> Example: c-h,k <esc>-p => M-p (translated from <escape> p) runs the
> command scroll-other-window-down.
> But c-h,k <alt>-p => H-p runs the command backward-sexp
> ;; Note 'H-p' instead of 'M-p'.
>
> I have not changed any of my emacs settings (that I know of) since I
> used emacs on previous OSs (slack 10.0 and kubuntu).
>

I believe this is covered in the etc/PROBLEMS file. To some extent, the
solution depends on whether your running under the console, within an
xterm (or similar - some have their own quirks) or running native X
windows. The FAQ may also have some pointers. 

Tim


-- 
tcross (at) rapttech dot com dot au