I am using XEmacs 23.
I tried to execute a shell command by M-! cmd RET but it did not work.
M-! does not turn up in the microbuffer no matter how many times I press Alt+!.
But if I go to Tools menu and select Shell Command... option then it writes M-! to the microbuffer and everything works fine.
What is the problem here?
NOTE: I am using XMonad window manager. Is it affecting key bindings?
You can use either Escape ! or Alt+! to enter M-!. If Escape ! but not Alt+!, it's probably because your window manager has rebound that key combination. Try typing Ctrl+h c Alt+!. If this shows “M-! runs …”, the key combination is bound to the indicated command. If the “Describe key” prompt just sits there, it means the key isn't getting to Emacs at all. Use Escape ! as a workaround or change your window manager binding.
Type Ctrl - h f shell-command, it should say something like:
shell-command is an interactive compiled Lisp function.
It is bound to <f10>, M-!, <menu-bar> <tools> <shell>.
[...]
If M-! doesn't appear in that list then it's an issue about XEmacs: try to rebind it in your .emacs.
Otherwise it may be that Alt is used by XMonad as main key, I suggest you to use the Windows (super) key for that.
