ESCape key issues in Pre1-4587 build ???

No, the MDI tab was not active. I was in the middle of a run, so I had pressed the R key to run the program.. after that, I do not touch the interface again till the job stops. I have been using LinuxCNC for a few years now, and it's possible I could have made a rookie mistake like that ... but no, it was not in the MDI tab mode.
It was either going into the wood or close to that when I hit the ESC key, stopping the spindle and motion. When I tried to use the PG UP key, nothing happened. None of the other keys worked until I rebooted.

Are you using parallel port ?
That behaviour is indicative of interference to the parallel port, you should check the grounding and shielding.

shipmodeller wrote: No, the MDI tab was not active. I was in the middle of a run, so I had pressed the R key to run the program.. after that, I do not touch the interface again till the job stops..

Another possibility is if you have a GladeVCP tab open. If the mouse cursor is over the GladeVCP then that grabs the keyboard events.
This used to drive me mad on my old Axis lathe, but an MPG works better than the keyboard in every way and is a complete fix

I've noticed If you click off the window, like the desktop it won't respond to keyboard shortcuts either

Just read the thread again, you are using parallel ports, and that is for sure interference from the spindle due to lack of shielding or proper grounding.

Machine has been running for quite sometime now, it may, MAY be possible that you are correct. However, with the previous versions, I never had this issue.. and my finger is quite fast hitting the ESC key ( or the emergency stop.. ) Never experienced this problem. With the latest install of LinuxCNC, I have been experiencing this issue, with no hardware changes in the last year ...

So, ok.. perhaps this thread can be terminated.. I will be very careful watching and documenting. If I experience this issue again, I hope to have some better, repeatable steps. I wish I knew which or where the logs were so I can post them as well. Already have two issues dealing with subroutines in the queue to be resolved, thought this might be seen by others.. so ... we'll just wait and see if I can document this better.

Thanks for all the posts.