Ideazon Merc gaming usb keyboard extended keys will not repeat

Binary package hint: xmodmap

Hello everyone.

My first attempt at anything like this so please bear with me.

Some background:
lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 8.04.1
Release: 8.04

I have an Ideazon Merc gaming usb keyboard (http://www.ideazon.com/uk/products/mercgamingkeyboard.asp).

By default the gaming keys to the left of the main qwerty area do not work. After searching the Ubuntu forums I found the thread http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=385426. This explains how to re-map the keycodes coming from the keyboard using xmodmap. There is even a script to help automate the process.

However, there seems to be an issue with the keys repeating, i.e. holding down the key and it doesn't repeat.

I have used xev to look at the keyboard events and I have noticed a difference (as others have noticed too).

Pressing down the [a] key on the main keyboard area results in:
KeyPress event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x4e00001,
    root 0x1a6, subw 0x4e00002, time 9140772, (49,52), root:(1144,891),
    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

Some fraction of a second later (but before repeat sets in), I release the key and I get:
KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x4e00001,
    root 0x1a6, subw 0x4e00002, time 9141140, (49,52), root:(1144,891),
    state 0x0, keycode 38 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
    XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XFilterEvent returns: False

If I now look at pressing down the turn left button (which is really the letter "a") on the special gaming area of the Merc keyboard I get:
KeyPress event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x4e00001,
    root 0x1a6, subw 0x4e00002, time 9276668, (35,48), root:(1130,887),
    state 0x0, keycode 234 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
    XKeysymToKeycode returns keycode: 38
    XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XmbLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XFilterEvent returns: False

KeyRelease event, serial 31, synthetic NO, window 0x4e00001,
    root 0x1a6, subw 0x4e00002, time 9276668, (35,48), root:(1130,887),
    state 0x0, keycode 234 (keysym 0x61, a), same_screen YES,
    XKeysymToKeycode returns keycode: 38
    XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (61) "a"
    XFilterEvent returns: False

The KeyPress and the KeyRelease events happen at the same time.

I have used the tool xset to set the key as repeating, but myself (and others from the forum thread above) have not had any success.

I cannot get the key to repeat under any circumstance.

Could it be related to https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/hotkey-setup/+bug/38284 ?

Quoting from this thread:
"I think because they are shown as 'buttons' rather than 'keys' in the HID descriptor they probably don't generate a repeat."

I hope I have given enough information to explain what is going on. I look forward to working with you guys to resolve this issue.

Many thanks,
Mark.