Reprogram keyboard keys?

[Claymonkey]

Hope you guys can help me with this.

I have a VERY sturdy DSI Modular Pro keyboard that I have setup as a left handed keyboard (arrows and numberpad on the left). This thing is a few years old and cost a lot. A normal left handed keyboard can cost a $100, and that compares to a $10 regular keyboard in quality (SMALL market). Anyway, obviously a huge investment on my part.

Now the reason I'm writing this. It doesn't have a windows key and I finally need one. The keyboard was meant to be useably for either Windows or Mac depending on how you bought it, so it has an option key instead of the windows key.

Is there any program you guys know that that lets me reassign the option key? I've tried a number of windows keyboard remapping programs but of course none of them have the option key as a key to customize.

The BEST solution is if someone knows the reg settings for converting the option key to a windows key in the registry and bypass the need for third party software.

Thanks in advance.

[Helevitia]

This isn't the solution, but it may help you figure it out.

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/903/

[Helevitia]

http://www.swapkeys.com/index.htm

[Helevitia]

Nevermind about the swapkeys progrm, it sucks.

Dave

[Claymonkey]

Thanks for the help Helevitia... and I've seen that KB article... problem is is figuring out how Windows XP sees the option key (if at all) and then reassigning it the windows hex....

[Helevitia]

Portland eh? I need to get back to The Edgefield I love that place. Have you been?

[Claymonkey]

Oh and the reason I'm doing this. Now with the new girlfriend I turned on fast user switching and you REALLY need the windows key for that to be useful

[Claymonkey]

Originally posted by dparadis
Thanks for the help Helevitia... and I've seen that KB article... problem is is figuring out how Windows XP sees the option key (if at all) and then reassigning it the windows hex....

Mmmmm McMenamins! Haven't been to Edgefield but have been to the Kennedy School, The White Eagle and McMenamins on Broadway. Love pubs that brew their own stuff (especially when it's good).

For those that care McMenamin's is an Oregon (NW USA) chain of pubs that all have themes. The Kennedy School is an old Elementry school they refitted with themed rooms (detention, honor roll) and has a built in hotel and movie theatre. You can order a pitcher and a pizza and watch a $3 movie. Highly recommended.

http://www.mcmenamins.com

http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edge/

http://www.mcmenamins.com/Kennedy/index.html

[Jon P. Inghram]

http://www.randyrants.com/archives/000323.asp

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win2000/n1019911460

[Claymonkey]

Originally posted by Jon P. Inghram
http://www.randyrants.com/archives/000323.asp

This will work perfect... if only it had the mac option key. However if I can figure out what the mac option key's scan code is I can temporarly convert another key into a windows key and switch it's code with the option key's code.

Thanks

[Ribbit]

I don't know if these will be the right codes for you (PC keyboards have about 3 different modes, and bear in mind I'm using a UK layout), but running the Linux showkey program shows me these codes for these keys:

A - 30
B - 48
C - 28
Space - 57
Left Ctrl. - 29
Left Windows - 125
Left Alt. - 56
Alt GR - 100
Right Windows - 126
Menu - 127
Right Ctrl. - 97

Hope this helps.

[Gurm]

Sounds about right. That's right at the top of the lower ASCII, in the relatively unused "special characters" range.

- Gurm

[Claymonkey]

Thanks guys... half tempted to hook this thing up to a linux box and see if I can get more info from it. Anyone have a Mac USB keyboard they can plug in and test?
\

[Wombat]

Go to cygwin.com and install the cygwin tools (generally very handy). Then run "cygcheck -k" in a console window, and it will report every keystroke.

Press `q' to exit.
Pressed 1x VK: 0x44 VS: 0x20 A: 0x64 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Released 1x VK: 0x44 VS: 0x20 A: 0x64 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Pressed 1x VK: 0x50 VS: 0x19 A: 0x70 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Released 1x VK: 0x50 VS: 0x19 A: 0x70 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Pressed 1x VK: 0x12 VS: 0x38 A: 0x00 CTRL: -- -- LA -- NL -- -- -- --
Released 1x VK: 0x12 VS: 0x38 A: 0x00 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Pressed 1x VK: 0x0d VS: 0x1c A: 0x0d CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Released 1x VK: 0x0d VS: 0x1c A: 0x0d CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Pressed 1x VK: 0x51 VS: 0x10 A: 0x71 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --
Released 1x VK: 0x51 VS: 0x10 A: 0x71 CTRL: -- -- -- -- NL -- -- -- --

Sorry, I have no Mac keyboard handy.

[Claymonkey]

Thanks wombat, I'll try that when I get home