Sunday, June 6, 2010

Ubuntu: Enable Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to restart the X server

By default, this key combination comes disabled. Here's an excerpt from ubuntugeek on how to enable it:
Since Ubuntu 9.04, the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace key combination to force a restart of X is now disabled by default, to eliminate the problem of accidentally triggering the key combination. In addition, the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace option is now configured as an X keymap (XKB) option, replacing the X server “DontZap” option and allowing per-user configuration of this setting.
As a result, enabling or disabling the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut can now be done easily from the desktop.
Enabling Ctrl-Alt-Backspace for Ubuntu 10.04
* Select “System”->”Preferences”->”Keyboard”
* Select the “Layouts” tab and click on the “Layout Options” button.
* Select “Key sequence to kill the X server” and enable “Control + Alt + Backspace”.

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