FN Key on MacBook keyboards

[cloaking_device]

Thanks for a wonderful project! I am experiencing a slight issue running Virtualbox 1.4.1 (beta2) on my MacBook Pro running OSX 10.4.

My guest OS is Ubuntu 7.04, and everything is working well except the function key on the keyboard. When I press it, the keyboard registers an "a". Xev output when I press the "FN" key:

Code: Select all

KeyPress event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0x1200001,
    root 0x3f, subw 0x0, time 3802982, (331,172), root:(447,328),
    state 0x0, keycode 38 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XmbLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0x1200001,
    root 0x3f, subw 0x0, time 3803094, (331,172), root:(447,328),
    state 0x0, keycode 38 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XFilterEvent returns: False

It still works as the function key (i.e. FN+left produces home), but it also inserts an "a" character.

I've tried to change my keyboard mapping in X11, but I wonder if anyone has encountered this problem. Thanks!

[alman]

I installed VirtualBox BETA 2 on my Mac, with the virtual OS running WinXp, and I have the same issue. Everytime I am in the virtual machine and press the fn button, I have the letter 'a' inserted at my cursor. If I shift FN, I get a capital A, so it appears its mapped as the A button.

[Areviono]

Me too. MacBook Pro, OS X 10.4.10, VirtualBox 1.4.1-beta2 with Win2K guest.

[Gand]

Same problem using fn+esc to get pause key as in my previous post: Pause Key

[Harald Lukas]

Same problem for me.
When using the function-key together with Alt or Ctrl (Strg), I press the second key at first (Alt-Fn instead of Fn-Alt, Ctrl-Fn instead of Fn-Ctrl).
In Word 2000, that trick worked well.
My virtual machine is disabled, can't try it myself: I suggest to press Alt-Fn, than to release (only) the Alt-key and to press the second key combined with Fn.