text console availability

[Jim Ham]

Hello,

We sell an embedded product based on an Xscale processor. Our app runs 
under X with no WM, making direct calls to X. This all works great. It's 
started from a script in init.d. X is running over a framebuffer that is 
compiled into the kernel.

The latest shipments from our board vender (Arcom) now uses the xorg server.

Previously (xfree86) when we plugged in a USB keyboard one could get to a 
text console via alt-F1, F2, etc. X was running on console #7.

Now when we plug in the keyboard something is blocking the switch to other 
consoles. If I log in via SSH I can kill X and now the keyboard can switch 
to other consoles. X appears to be running on console #2. If I have typed 
something on the keyboard before killing X, I see gibbersh on the screen. 
So something is going to the screen from the keyboard, but not correctly. 
Once X is done the keyboard works as expected.

The previous behavior is useful for us. I'm hoping someone can give me a 
clue as to where to look to restore the old way. I'm not even sure if this 
behavior is considered a bug or a feature. It's definitely not a desired 
feature for us.

I'm not even sure if this is the right venue to ask the question. If not 
perhaps someone can point me in the right direction.

Regards,

Jim Ham


Porcine Associates
+1.650.326.2669
www.porcine.com