Changing application launched when "Calculator" key is pressed onkeyboard

I have a Dell multimedia USB keyboard connected to my Dim 8300.

I would like to change the behavior of the calculator key, so that it
runs a different calculator application than the default Microsoft one.

Also, I would like to change the "mail" key so that it runs Thunderbird
instead of Outlook.

Finally, I would like the "music" key to run Winamp instead of what it
runs now (the cheesy ATI "TV" application that came with the computer).

How can I do this?

I tried going into Control Panel, selecting Keyboard, and editing the
Key Settings tab information for these keys--but that didn't seem to
have any effect whatsoever. Why?

I should say that I am running a recent version of the HID driver
(5.1.2600), so that's not the problem either.


--
Steven L.
Email:
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

is this the keyboard?
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...6379/intro.htm
or this one?
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...7555/intro.htm
or some other model??

"Steven L." wrote in message
m...
I have a Dell multimedia USB keyboard connected to my Dim 8300.

I would like to change the behavior of the calculator key, so that it runs
a different calculator application than the default Microsoft one.

Also, I would like to change the "mail" key so that it runs Thunderbird
instead of Outlook.

Finally, I would like the "music" key to run Winamp instead of what it
runs now (the cheesy ATI "TV" application that came with the computer).

How can I do this?

I tried going into Control Panel, selecting Keyboard, and editing the Key
Settings tab information for these keys--but that didn't seem to have any
effect whatsoever. Why?

I should say that I am running a recent version of the HID driver
(5.1.2600), so that's not the problem either.


--
Steven L.
Email:
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

Steven L. wrote:
I have a Dell multimedia USB keyboard connected to my Dim 8300.

I would like to change the behavior of the calculator key, so that it
runs a different calculator application than the default Microsoft one.

Also, I would like to change the "mail" key so that it runs Thunderbird
instead of Outlook.

Finally, I would like the "music" key to run Winamp instead of what it
runs now (the cheesy ATI "TV" application that came with the computer).

How can I do this?

I tried going into Control Panel, selecting Keyboard, and editing the
Key Settings tab information for these keys--but that didn't seem to
have any effect whatsoever. Why?

I should say that I am running a recent version of the HID driver
(5.1.2600), so that's not the problem either.


What you want to do makes perfectly good sense to everyone except
Microsoft and ATI. I've never tried to do any of this, but my strictly
wild-assed guess (SWAG) is that there are registry settings that control
the behavior of these special keys. Everything else Microsoft considers
important is in the registry, so why not this information? Where in the
registry? Good question... Ben Myers

Ben Myers wrote:
Steven L. wrote:
I have a Dell multimedia USB keyboard connected to my Dim 8300.

I would like to change the behavior of the calculator key, so that it
runs a different calculator application than the default Microsoft one.

Also, I would like to change the "mail" key so that it runs
Thunderbird instead of Outlook.

Finally, I would like the "music" key to run Winamp instead of what it
runs now (the cheesy ATI "TV" application that came with the computer).

How can I do this?

I tried going into Control Panel, selecting Keyboard, and editing the
Key Settings tab information for these keys--but that didn't seem to
have any effect whatsoever. Why?

I should say that I am running a recent version of the HID driver
(5.1.2600), so that's not the problem either.


What you want to do makes perfectly good sense to everyone except
Microsoft and ATI. I've never tried to do any of this, but my strictly
wild-assed guess (SWAG) is that there are registry settings that control
the behavior of these special keys. Everything else Microsoft considers
important is in the registry, so why not this information? Where in the
registry? Good question... Ben Myers

Every keyboard I have that has additional keys also has a software
application that controls what those keys does.
On this Logitech it is called Itouch.
on the older Compaqs it was Easy Keys
Dells is called Dell Touch, The software is on the resource CD that came
with the system. http://www.soft32.com/download_170773.html


Just need to load the proper software and go from there.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

"Steve W." wrote in message
...
Ben Myers wrote:
Steven L. wrote:
I have a Dell multimedia USB keyboard connected to my Dim 8300.

I would like to change the behavior of the calculator key, so that it
runs a different calculator application than the default Microsoft one.

Also, I would like to change the "mail" key so that it runs
Thunderbird instead of Outlook.

Finally, I would like the "music" key to run Winamp instead of what it
runs now (the cheesy ATI "TV" application that came with the computer).

How can I do this?

I tried going into Control Panel, selecting Keyboard, and editing the
Key Settings tab information for these keys--but that didn't seem to
have any effect whatsoever. Why?

I should say that I am running a recent version of the HID driver
(5.1.2600), so that's not the problem either.


What you want to do makes perfectly good sense to everyone except
Microsoft and ATI. I've never tried to do any of this, but my strictly
wild-assed guess (SWAG) is that there are registry settings that control
the behavior of these special keys. Everything else Microsoft considers
important is in the registry, so why not this information? Where in the
registry? Good question... Ben Myers

Every keyboard I have that has additional keys also has a software
application that controls what those keys does.
On this Logitech it is called Itouch.
on the older Compaqs it was Easy Keys
Dells is called Dell Touch, The software is on the resource CD that came
with the system. http://www.soft32.com/download_170773.html


Just need to load the proper software and go from there.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

some of the dell 'enhanced' keyboards do have a software utility that allows
you to assign the application associate with the keys, some do not. i
suspect like ben that for the ones that do not the solution may be a
registry edit or possibly can be resolved by changing the default internet
browser and mail reader via the task bar and start menu properties - but the
calculator is not something that is set there. knowing the model of the
keyboard that the op is talking about is key to determining a solution.

Hi!

What you want to do makes perfectly good sense to everyone except
Microsoft and ATI.
Everything else Microsoft considers important is in the registry, so why
not this
information? Where in the registry? Good question... Ben Myers

For Windows XP, try the XP version of TweakUI. It claims to be able to
change the function of keyboard hotkeys, and points out (because I'm *sure*
that some luser* asked them) that a keyboard may not have every key listed.

ATI stuff seems to involve a running process known as the ATI Hotkey Poller.
Makes me think that it could be hardwired.

I don't know for sure. I don't "do" those frilly-fru-fru keyboards. My
typing activities involve The One True Keyboard.

William

*System administration is my day job, and boy is it making me bitter (some
days more than others)!

William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi!

What you want to do makes perfectly good sense to everyone except
Microsoft and ATI.
Everything else Microsoft considers important is in the registry, so why
not this
information? Where in the registry? Good question... Ben Myers

For Windows XP, try the XP version of TweakUI. It claims to be able to
change the function of keyboard hotkeys, and points out (because I'm *sure*
that some luser* asked them) that a keyboard may not have every key listed.

ATI stuff seems to involve a running process known as the ATI Hotkey Poller.
Makes me think that it could be hardwired.

I don't know for sure. I don't "do" those frilly-fru-fru keyboards. My
typing activities involve The One True Keyboard.

William

*System administration is my day job, and boy is it making me bitter (some
days more than others)!



"The One True Keyboard". Would that be the venerable IBM 101-key clicky
keyboard with spring loaded heavy-duty keycaps? Works for me. I can
even get close to speed typing on it... Ben Myers

Hi!

"The One True Keyboard". Would that be the venerable IBM 101-key
clicky keyboard with spring loaded heavy-duty keycaps? Works for me.

Accept no substitutes or imitations! That is the one. I have one everywhere
I can...even brought a few to work with me.

I think the only thing that comes close (at least in a quiet 'board) are the
ones that Key Tronic made for HP some years back. I have a few of those in
situations where quiet is a must and they are nice. Quiet versions of the
Model M exist, but I don't like them nearly as much.

I got boxes and boxes of them from the local school system. I may never run
out for the rest of my life.

65 WPM on a good day, closer to 40 on average.

William (never tried a NorthGate OmniKey, so I don't know about that one)

William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi!

"The One True Keyboard". Would that be the venerable IBM 101-key
clicky keyboard with spring loaded heavy-duty keycaps? Works for me.

Accept no substitutes or imitations! That is the one. I have one everywhere
I can...even brought a few to work with me.

I think the only thing that comes close (at least in a quiet 'board) are the
ones that Key Tronic made for HP some years back. I have a few of those in
situations where quiet is a must and they are nice. Quiet versions of the
Model M exist, but I don't like them nearly as much.

I got boxes and boxes of them from the local school system. I may never run
out for the rest of my life.

65 WPM on a good day, closer to 40 on average.

William (never tried a NorthGate OmniKey, so I don't know about that one)



Me, too. I have several cartons of IBM Model M 101-key clicky
keyboards. Even sell one occasionally to the connoisseurs of the good
things in life. I have at least one Model M with a Dell logo, rather
than an IBM one, from back in the day when Dell bought Lexmark Model M
keyboards to ship with Pentium systems. The one I use for testing is a
very new one, made in '96... Ben Myers

Christopher Muto wrote:
is this the keyboard?
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...6379/intro.htm

That's the one.

I tried going into Control Panel\Keyboard and editing Key Settings, but
it had no effect on any of the special keys like Calculator, Music,
Mail, etc.


--
Steven L.
Email:
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.