debian workspace switching fails

If you try to switch your workspaces with the usual shortcuts (ctrl+alt+F..) and it fails, try to set a new one.

Go to debian menu, system, preferences, keyboad shortcuts.
You're gonna find an action denoted by "Switch the workspace ...".
Create a new shortcut but make sure that it's not used for any other action on your environment.

Ctrl-A fails on Debian

The Ctrl+A shortcut is by default used to "select all" procedures.
If you try a "all text selection" on an editor and the command fails, test the Ctrl key with other combinations, for instance Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V (copy/paste).
If Ctrl key is working properly and that just happens with Ctrl+A, probable it's because there is a shortcut conflict.

Go to debian menu, system, preferences, keyboad shortcuts.
Check which shortcut is using the "Ctrl+A and disable it (click over the shortcut column, and use backspace - see note on the window).

If the shortcut disabled is important for you, switch to another combination that it's not used yet.