[mythtv-users] Program Guide locking up

[Michael T. Dean]

On 08/11/2007 11:46 AM, Paul van Gerven wrote:
> Sorry if this issue has been raised before, but I could not find a way 
> to search the archives, nor did googling or posting on relevant forums 
> get me anywhere.
>
> Mythtv is working fine, except for one major annoyance. When I call the 
> program guide while watching live TV, I cannot move around in it using 
> the 'cursor keys' on the remote. Instead, I can make exactly one move 
> (i.e. either up, down or right) and then the guide becomes completely 
> unresponsive, although the preview keeps running. The only key that 
> keeps working is the one I assigned to 'quit' so I can go back to 
> watching LiveTV.
>   

Focus issue.  Yes, it really is a focus issue.  Often caused by a) not
using a window manager, b) using an improperly configured window
manager, c) using multi-head displays, or d) external programs (like
xine--although xine, specifically, has been fixed so it no longer causes
this behavior).  See the thread at
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/82722#82722 for more
details and a workaround (hack).

> Something similar happens when I try to quit MythTV altogether. When 
> asked for confirmation I cannot switch between yes or no. The only thing 
> I can do is press quit to return to the main menu.
>   

Funny.  The exact same two examples I gave.

> I should also mention that this error does not kick in immediately after 
> I start the frontend. Once or twice, the guide works fine, and only then 
> the lock up problem surfaces. If quit the frontend point and restart, 
> the error persist. If I reboot, I can fully browse the guide once or 
> twice again.
>   

Right.  It only happens after something else takes focus from Myth. 
I.e. you manually switch focus, your Window Manager gives something else
focus, you do some work on the other (non-Myth) display of your
multi-head display, you start the external program.  The problem is that
focus isn't properly restored to Myth afterwards.

Mike