Description of problem: The backspace key does not work when using xterm from an Exceed X-terminal emulator. It behaves identically to the "Delete" key and sends the same keycode. This behaviour is located to the file /usr/lib/X11/app-defaults/XTerm where deletion of the line "...<Key>Delete:..." resolves the problem. A quick test reveals no immediate problem using xterm on the server console after modifying this file. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): xterm-179-6.EL How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Use a PC with Exceed 8 installed. 2. Open a xterm window to the Fedora server. 3. Enter something and then try to erase the info with the BS key (Left arrow above "Enter"). Actual Results: No characters deleted, and a "bell" sounded. Expected Results: Character left of cursor to be erased. Additional info: This seems to be a portability issue.
If I recall correctly, this is just a difference in the way that the defaults that Exceed expects do not match the default xterm provides. I have not ever used Exceed and do not have access to it, however you should be able to change settings in Exceed to match what xterm uses in all other UNIX like environments, or you can change the TERM variable to the terminal type Exceed expects. That might get you a working setup. Again however, this is just a suggestion that I've got no way to confirm, as I do not have access to that software. I have carbon copied the upstream xterm author as he may be aware of any Exceed related issues and would be better suited to advise. I'm not aware of any bugs in xterm itself that cause problems in Exceed however.
Google suggests this for further reading: http://web.purplefrog.com/~thoth/philosophy/backspace-delete.html He's talking about this line in the XTerm app-defaults file: *VT100.translations: #override \ <Key>Delete: string(0x1b) string("[3~") \n\ which I recall as one of the reasons for reinstalling that file.
On the other hand (peculiarities of Exceed), this is interesting: http://www.nedit.org/pipermail/discuss/2001-October/000369.html
Comment #2 reflects my problem very well, and I tried to fiddle around a lot with Exceed before figuring out that the translate-statement in the Xterm config file was messing up everything. I don't have any pure X terminal, so I'm not able to check with anything else. The best solution would be to drop that offending line in the config file. Changing the TERM variable doesn't change a thing, or even makes things worse with other side-effects.
That's pretty much what I see. (I'm very pressed for time til Friday, will probably retest the Redhat app-defaults file to retest that - I only recall that it seemed to interfere with more than the "Delete" on the 6-key editing-keypad).
We've updated our xterm resources patch in rawhide xterm. Please upgrade to the latest rawhide xterm. If the problem persists, it is suggested that you try reconfiguring things on the Exceed side of things. Setting status to RAWHIDE.