Shift+Ctrl+[Left|Right] to highlight text, then type, ignores the first two characters typed

Question

I'm using openSuse. It was installed for me by the IT group here at work this week. I routinely use Shift+Ctrl+ some arrow key to highlight text, and I'm in the habit of simply typing in order to replace the text that has been highlighted.

If I highlight the text with the mouse and start typing, everything works fine. If I highlight the text using the keyboard combination, then the first character I type deletes the highlighted text and the second does nothing, then the remainder of the characters I type are put as a replacement to the highlighted text. This behavior appears to happen regardless of application. I've seen it in Google chrome (although not the URL bar), Firefox, and in Eclipse text editors.

I have no idea what's going on, but it's really annoying and slowing me down in Eclipse. I can get around in linux, but I'm no guru. Where should I look to figure out what is going on?

Update: I'm in Gnome. I've seen the behavior in Open Office writer, Google Chrome, Firefox, Eclipse, Thunderbird. I did not see it in Tomboy Notes or gedit.

Answer 1

So you would expect the first and second characters to overwrite the selected text, right?

What does xev print?
(Run it from a terminal, then move the mouse over the window, then press
Ctrl Shift Left Left a b)

For me, it does this.

Pressing and holding Ctrl then Shift...

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143718968, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x10, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143719024, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x14, keycode 50 (keysym 0xffe1, Shift_L), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

then Left, Left...

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143720176, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x15, keycode 113 (keysym 0xff51, Left), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyRelease event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143720280, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x15, keycode 113 (keysym 0xff51, Left), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143720952, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x15, keycode 113 (keysym 0xff51, Left), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyRelease event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143721040, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x15, keycode 113 (keysym 0xff51, Left), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

then letting go of Ctrl and Shift...

    KeyRelease event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143723304, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x15, keycode 37 (keysym 0xffe3, Control_L), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyRelease event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143723304, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x11, keycode 50 (keysym 0xffe1, Shift_L), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 0 bytes: 
        XFilterEvent returns: False

then pressing a, b

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143724576, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x10, 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 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143724672, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x10, keycode 38 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyPress event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143725048, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x10, keycode 57 (keysym 0x62, b), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (62) "b"
        XmbLookupString gives 1 bytes: (62) "b"
        XFilterEvent returns: False

    KeyRelease event, serial 33, synthetic NO, window 0x4c00001,
        root 0x109, subw 0x4c00002, time 143725136, (47,65), root:(48,147),
        state 0x10, keycode 57 (keysym 0x62, b), same_screen YES,
        XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (62) "b"
        XFilterEvent returns: False

I would look especially at the last two blocks, i.e. when releasing Ctrl and Shift and then when pressing a b to see if there are any differences.

Other thoughts:

• do you have Sticky Keys on?
• do you have Ctrl+Shift set to change the keyboard layout or language?