VMWare Horizon Client

qubes-neurotic · March 23, 2024, 1:24pm

Hello - My work allows access via VMWare Horizon Client. I successfully installed the VMWare Horizon debian client in a debian-based Qube called “Work”

It generally works…except the keyboard input is quite erratic. Sometimes right shift puts in unwanted characters, sometimes a keypress with result in multiple repeat characterssssssssss.

The vMWare Horizon Client works well on my standout debian computer. So, I suspect something is happen in QubesOS? The software only has a couple of settings that can be adjusted and I’ve not had any luck. The only thing I could find on wvware’s site is that “security software” might be interfering withe Horizon client from sending keystrokes.

Anyone have recommendations on how I might troubleshoot this?

renehoj · March 23, 2024, 1:30pm

There are applications that don’t work well with how mouse and keyboard is used in Qubes OS.

Try reading this thread

github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues

Allow temporary VM mouse capture with user consent

opened 11:08PM - 18 Apr 19 UTC

DemiMarie

T: enhancement C: gui-virtualization P: major

**Qubes OS version** `Qubes release 4.0 (R4.0)` **Affected component(s) or f…unctionality** Mouse virtualization **Brief summary** Minecraft is not playable in an AppVM. The graphics work fine, but I can’t aim the camera. Others have reported no such problems, and I believe that this may relate to QubesOS’s mouse virtualization, so I am reporting this as a QubesOS bug **To Reproduce** 1. Create a new Debian-based TemplateVM or StandaloneVM 2. Purchase Minecraft (Java edition) 3. Install the official Debian package for Minecraft. 4. Try to play **Expected behavior** It works, albeit with slow frame rate due to the lack of hardware-accelerated graphics. **Actual behavior** I cannot get the camera to move vertically in any controllable way, rendering the game unplayable. **Screenshots** I don’t have any, but can provide them if they would be helpful. **Additional context** This could be an issue with the Linux touchpad drivers, but I doubt it. **Solutions you've tried** USB pass-through of a USB mouse.

qubes-neurotic · March 23, 2024, 1:35pm

ah ok thanks! I’m pretty sure I dont have the tech chops to be making redirection scripts and such as describe in that thread. I’ve been meaning to switch to PS/2 mouse/keyboard so maybe that might fix the problem.

Iambchop · March 23, 2024, 2:19pm

This was a work around for a key-repeat issue on Windows, but you could try it. Add the following to ~/.vmware/config:

mks.disableTypematic = "TRUE"
mks.disableRemoteClientTypematic = "TRUE"

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/59631

qubes-neurotic · March 23, 2024, 2:55pm

that fixed it lambchop! thanks so much! Wish your answer was a nostr post so I could zap ya some gratitude sats!

qubes-neurotic · April 1, 2024, 1:11pm

Well it fixed it…sorta. It fixed the repeat characters issue

I still have random text that gets inserted, particularly around the time I use right shift.

But interestingly, the problem goes away when I use a PS2 keyboard rather than a USB keyboard. Anyone have any ideas on how I might troubleshoot that? Seems the VMWare App is getting weird input from sys-usb?

I’m wondering if this issue has something to do with the following usb-related errors I get when I install the vmware client:

Starting vmware-USBArbitrator … failed
Warning: The daemon for USB redirection fails to start!