[ Thanks to Sensei for this link.
]
“Several of the newer distributions seem to have a problem
with the Backspace key when using kdm, xdm, or gdm (a.k.a.
run-level 5). For some reason (unknown to me) they will make the
Backspace key into a Delete key. I know that RedHat 6.X and
Slackware 7 both fall victim to this problem. If you are using
another distribution and have encountered the same problem, this
text will most likely apply to you too. I will be focusing on how I
solved the problem in RedHat 6.1.”
“So, you just installed one of the new Linux distributions on
your computer, and in keeping with your Windows experiences, you’d
like to be presented with a graphical log-on to the system. This is
quite easy to do in Linux, and I will not focus on it (you’ll
probably be able to figure out how to do it from this text
anyways). Now, having configured the appropriate script(s) to allow
a graphical log-on, and rebooting your computer, you are presented
with a window that asks for your login name and password. You type
them in, and are greeted with your favorite desktop/window
manager’s interface. Everything seems right, but when you open your
favorite IRC client and make a mistake while typing, you realize
your backspace key doesn’t do anything. However if you put the
cursor in front of some text, and hit the backspace key, it deletes
it. What’s going on?!?”