#9205 – Keys Not Functioning Properly or New Terminal Driver Needed

Keys that are not functioning properly or WordPerfect® documents showing nothing but garbage text are most often associated with terminal interface problems. Even though terminal problems can get extremely complex, at least 60% of all terminal problems can be solved with the following information.

For Terminals that do not function at all

When a terminal or malfunctioning key problem occurs, the first thing you need to make sure of is that they are on (or are emulating) the correct terminal type.

Note: The following steps will be the same whether it is just one user who is having difficulties or all users.

As a User or Root, go to the UNIX/Linux® prompt and type: env

This will display all of the environment variables. Look for WPTERM7, WPTERM52, or WPTERM51 and make sure that it is set to a correct term type.

Important: The TERM is NOT the same as WPTERM, and if you are relying solely on the TERM variable you will always have problems.

Note: Corel® WordPerfect® 8 uses WPTERM as its variable.

After verifying what terminal you are on or are emulating, compare it with a list of supported terminals included with WordPerfect. To do this, enter the following command at a terminal prompt:

ls /< path to shlib10>/shlib10 | grep .trs | less

This will list all available terminals. Locate the terminal or the one that has similar attributes as your terminal and that the system can emulate.

At the bash, sh or ksh prompt, type:

export WPTERM=<terminal type>

For a c-shell variant (csh, tsh, etc.).

Set WPTERM=<terminal type>

Now launch WordPerfect. Try several different terminal types before giving up on this option. Term definitions will need to be set in each users profile by creating the WPTERM and then exporting it.

To make this change permanent, add the command used from above to the .profile or .bashrc. The configuration file used will depend on the system configuration. If you are unsure of the procedure, contact the system administrator or Corel's Technical Services at (613) 274-0500.

For Terminals that do function, but have lost some functionality

Hint: This problem has been observed when using the F6 or BOLD key. This is a known issue, and the following steps are a workaround for it.

First, verify whether this is happening with just one or two users or to everyone on the system.

If this is happening to one or two users, follow these instructions:

Use the previously mentioned steps for verifying that the WPTERM variable is still set correctly. After verifying, proceed with the next set of steps.

The settings file needs to be removed because it has most likely become corrupt.

cd /<home directory path>/.wprc(for WordPerfect 7 or 8)

cd /<home directory path>/.wpcorp(for WordPerfect 5.2+/6.0)

cd /<home directory path>(for WordPerfect 5.1)

ls -al(lists all files, including hidden files)

mv .wp8(c)(x).set .wp8(c)(x).old(for WordPerfect 8 character or GUI)

mv .wp7(c)(x).set .wp7(c)(x).old(for WordPerfect 7 character or GUI)

mv .wp60.set .wp60.old(for WordPerfect 5.2+/6.0)

mv .wp51.set .wp51.old(for WordPerfect 5.1)


Now re-enter WordPerfect. An error will occur stating that no settings file exists. This is acceptable, as new settings files will be created simply by launching WordPerfect.