Virtualbox in Ubuntu 9.04, using xmodmap - broken

[Jenda]

Hi,

I am using a modified dvorak layout on Ubuntu 9.04, with the help of a .xmodmap file which took years (literally) to make and fine-tune. I use Ubuntu as my main and only OS. However, I recently got a job/deal for which I NEED to run Microsoft Office 2007, and it has proved most convenient to run it in XP in VirtualBox. It has been working perfectly for a few weeks now (and I got a lot of work done thanks to it, too ツ)

Occasionally, however, the guest system has started to ignore some of the keys (most that differ from default dvorak, although some have stayed, e.g., the Super modifier), but started working later (either by re-loading the xmodmap file, rebooting either OS or saving&restoring the virtual machine state. Now, however, it has happened again and doesn't seem to want to get better no matter what I do.

I believe it has some connection with XP's own keyboard layout, as it is the keys that the default layout doesn't have that don't work, with the exception of modifiers (which, AFAIK, the windows keyboard setup doesn't change). I also think I might've updated to a newer virtualbox version somewhere in the process.

Any suggestions about how to fix this? Thanks in advance ツ

[Jenda]

OK, this is what happened since I wrote that message:
1) I renamed .VirtualBox to BAK.VirtualBox, so VB had to create new config files. I reconnected the original .vdi and voila - keyboard worked!
2) Keyboard stopped working for no apparent reason.
3) I repeated 1), but that didn't help. Tried reinstalling vbox and still nothing.
4) Rebooted Ubuntu and voila, keyboard worked again!
5) Tried reloading .xmodmap file, altering it (changing the CapsLock key to be a Mode_switch), reloading... no problem, still works. I still have no idea what breaks it and a very vague one what fixes it.

FYI - the keys that always work are the alphabetical ones. The ones I know not to work are ěščřžýáí (on the number row), numbers and "-", right next to Enter on dvorak.

Grateful for any help ツ