Hey guys, there's a way to remap the codes yourself in the registry. I did it more than a year ago. Since my keyboard is an old Model M, I remapped right alt to windows key. Also remapped scroll lock to mute - very useful. Anyway, if insert has a keycode, the same thing can be done for it. The registry hex codes are kind of difficult to get it right, but once it's done it's done.
... After writing that little bit I decided it wasn't worth making someone else learn all the tricks to it. So here's a registry file that will disable insert. It should be noted that this replaces the keymapping instead of adding to it - it doesn't read the registry or anything. So if you have anything for "scancode map" this will erase any weird mappings you or a program have made.
Yep Shorty, Thats what I use and have never hit the insert key. BTW, I love the natural keyboard layout. It's so comfortable, and I can't get used to straight keyboards anymore. They feel quite strange to type on now, and I make all kinds of mistakes. lol
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout\"Scancode Map" is a hex mapping of keys. So you can change the input for anything on your keyboard (each key has a scan code, and I mapped Insert's to null in that reg file). Dunno where I came across it the first time, I must have searched for a while on getting alt to be a windows key.
THANK YOU!!!!!111 This is actually BETTER than what I was looking for!
How did you find the hex code for each key?
0
Straight_ManGeeky, in my own wayNaples, FLIcrontian
edited November 2003
In essence, the older character mapping software did this. Nominally, all keys are ASCII on a normal keyboard if you factor in the ALT and CTRL and SHIFT offsets.
Take ASCII value, convert to hex, you have the keycode. A programmers multibase translating calculator will convert for you. Try Programmer's Heaven for one, they are out there inexpensively, and the better Ti's can also do this in a not-so-direct manner.
If you want to do this manually, you work right to left, and remember four binary bits per hex digit and that it is easiest that when doing by hand that you first take decimal to binary and then rebuild hex digits from that if you want hyper-simple calc path.
Lets take ASCII 127 (yes I am cheating). 127 is binary 11111111 so that calcs to hex FF (highest decimal value that hex 0F (or just F for hex digit discussion's sake) is, is 15 (16 possibles including 0 decimal) and that is four bits (8+4+2+1 in decimal by place of bit position which progresses bigger to left from right). Lets now take 63 decimal-- that is more than one hex digit, it is over 16-- so lets take this to binary.
Conversion from decimal to binary is an iterative calc, goes like this:
we are working right to left, so I will invert the process for you:
64-1 is 63 with a 1 remainder
63-2 is 61 with a 10 "
61-4 is 57 with a 100
57-8 is 49 with a 1000
49-16 is 36 with a 00000 Result is even, no remainder, but need 0 as place holder.
63-32 is 31 with a 100000
31-64 does not compute to a positive, but is 16 +15.
So, now we have an addition problem.
_00101111
+00010000
+00001111
yeilds
01000000 binary and that is right as 64-1 (to allow for 0 being valid) is 63.
that help some??? Take extended ASCIIvalue , convert to binary. Now for hex conversion.
Left digit is binary 0100 and that is hex 4. Right digit is binary 0000, hex 0. Conversion complete when we marry hex digit results to 40.
Welcome to PART of what you will be doing with IPV6 addressing, which takes binary IP octets and uses HEX instead as well as allowing different number of Hex digits per hextet structure of IP definition, but that is a different starting point.
If you are familair with boolean ANDing logic, will show you the left to right method if you want, which is what I use internally, but this is above method is easier to program into a HUMAN brain,IMHO.
Rule set, boolean, for left to right is:
If negative, lead 0.
If positive AND even, lead 0.
If positive AND odd, lead 1.
AND, subtract left to right bitwise using byte size leftward progressive padding chunk steppingss to get correct hex result for a Modulo 8 machine if converting to hex. Modulo 16 machines get 2 byte chunking\padding, modulo 32 bit machines are far in the future in pure sense but take a 4 byte chunking. Right now most hardware is building larger words from Modulo 8 or Modulo 16 RAM storage,and RAM is not truely Modulo 32 yet.
I looked at a couple examples on the Internet as well as the one I made a long time ago, cuz I knew this would work for Insert... it sounded like exactly what you needed. Then I checked MS's page to confirm the format. I didn't know where to get the key codes (was planning to google it thoroughly) but fortunately the MS page had a link I hadn't noticed. It was a document and how the key codes work and it had a table of them. Anyway, glad to help ya
Scroll Lock was to be used back in the days of dirt to allow you to scroll the screen with the arrow keys.
As for the Insert key, Prime had it right.
Also, Shift+Insert is the same thing as Ctrl+V.
I use Ctrl+V nowadays but the first paste function I learned was Shift+Insert.
Linux, Unix, and BSD consoles (like BASH, the Bourne Again SHell) still use Shift-Insert and Shift-Delete for paste and cut (or copy instead of cut, depending on shell). BUT, I learned them in DOS before DOS apps got Ctrl-C, Crtl-X, Ctrl-V also.
Look at the key layout on an IBM Netvista Professional keyboard. Nice wide backspace key (1.5X nomral key width) and to its right is 1\2 keys worth of nice plastic keyboard top, THEN the Insert key to right of that. Some Logitech keyboards also use this layout, and some Keytronics keyboards have similar ideas of separating the INSERT and its mode or file position hopping cousin keys from the backspace key. You are not alone in this respect of accidentally hitting wrong keys, by any means. MY bugaboo is hitting A and Caps Lock at same time....
So, yet another way to solve the problem is get a new keyboard that has things spaced to suit you (that way you can have the function keys, just not bump into them by accident as often), and keys for functions either spaced away from "normal" keys or extra-wide keys for functions. IBM base keyboard layout is one that has been in use since the late 70's and in some cases the keys folks complained about in that layout got separated by a bit of space or adjusted in key width also.
0
Straight_ManGeeky, in my own wayNaples, FLIcrontian
Just found this thread doing a search. Tried the link above but it's been moved.
I'd like to remap the F1 key to the same command as Winkey+M (Minimize all windows) so I can get to the desktop with one fell swoop.
This is for my now infamous 9x DAW (95 explorer, 98SE core, ME system file upgrades)
Is there a resource that someone can point me to or, can someone make a .reg for me (shameless ain't I?)
Thanks.
Why would you want to remap the Windows Help Subsystem call default key (that is what F1 normally does) to Minimize-ALL (I do not understand this one, that func key is one I use a lot to look up detailed things)??? Try, for minimizing an open Window in older Windows O\S versions (not in Linux, there it is an up\down scrollbar controller sequence), Ctrl-- (that is control key and - key at same time). Once mouse cursor is on the desktop, try Ctrl-M or CTRL-ALT-M or Ctrl-Shift-M and see what happens.... The Windows key is essentialls what older Windows responded to with a Ctrl-ALt-(plus a key) sequence.
My install is very small less than 40 MB. I stripped out everything I didn't need. This is a very dedicated computer that only records/mixes digital audio (DAW). In fact the F1 key dosen't respond to anything. But since it is a win95 explorer, there is no quick launch bar and no minimize all/show desktop shortcut. I'd really love to be able to minimize all/show desktop with that fat "doing nothing" F1 key though.
Straight_Man, I just put it together that I know you by your old name. That's the third name change I think since Icrontic (?). Anyway nice to see you.
Where in a Computer Science degree does that lesson fall, Straight Man? Because I love computers, but your little lesson has the distinction of being the first thing I have ever read that made my head throb AND my eyes bleed at the same time. If that was intro theory, I'm glad I stuck with Micro-Biology.
But it was interesting. Base conversions are neat to try...
That's cool Merrick. Given all I've worked with is the registry codes I described here so long ago (actually I haven't touched them since writing previously in this thread!), there's two issues with applying that to your situation. One is I've got no idea if it works on the 9x kernel (my guess is it doesn't but that's only a guess); the other is that Windows+M might not have a 'scancode' since every key has its own code (and I don't know for sure on this one either).
I would suggest that the easiest way to accomplish the F1 -> desktop would be to create a shortcut on the desktop or in the start menu whose hotkey is F1, and make that shortcut show the desktop, one way or another. Issues are that it might be hard finding a way to create such a shortcut, and that there's a delay using those shortcut keys in 9x (just a second or two).
I'll maybe brush up on the scancode stuff to see if something like that could be made to work.
I'm looking for a freeware app keymapper ya know like nonags.com yada,yada. I'll post if I can find anything good to share.
I have learned that XP & 2k have much keymap in the registry and hacks can be done relatively easy in those systems. Now I'm not only looking at a 98SE dinosaur but with a 95 explorer to boot.
I'm 99% sure now the make and break (press and release) keycodes are sent on a per-key basis and my trick only affects that, literally switching keys' functions; but key combinations can't be played with.
to fix the insert key prob stick a drawing pin through a piece of sticky tape and tape it, pointy end up, on to the offending key. You will soon learn where it is.
Please, don't thank me, just doing my bit.
do this oww it really oww works oww you oww quickly learn oww damn it where oww the aarrrrgg oowwww key is ugh...
Comments
... After writing that little bit I decided it wasn't worth making someone else learn all the tricks to it. So here's a registry file that will disable insert. It should be noted that this replaces the keymapping instead of adding to it - it doesn't read the registry or anything. So if you have anything for "scancode map" this will erase any weird mappings you or a program have made.
Anyway. Say goodbye to insert.
[edit] BTW, have to reboot before it takes effect
What's "Scancode map"?
How did you find the hex code for each key?
Take ASCII value, convert to hex, you have the keycode. A programmers multibase translating calculator will convert for you. Try Programmer's Heaven for one, they are out there inexpensively, and the better Ti's can also do this in a not-so-direct manner.
If you want to do this manually, you work right to left, and remember four binary bits per hex digit and that it is easiest that when doing by hand that you first take decimal to binary and then rebuild hex digits from that if you want hyper-simple calc path.
Lets take ASCII 127 (yes I am cheating). 127 is binary 11111111 so that calcs to hex FF (highest decimal value that hex 0F (or just F for hex digit discussion's sake) is, is 15 (16 possibles including 0 decimal) and that is four bits (8+4+2+1 in decimal by place of bit position which progresses bigger to left from right). Lets now take 63 decimal-- that is more than one hex digit, it is over 16-- so lets take this to binary.
Conversion from decimal to binary is an iterative calc, goes like this:
we are working right to left, so I will invert the process for you:
64-1 is 63 with a 1 remainder
63-2 is 61 with a 10 "
61-4 is 57 with a 100
57-8 is 49 with a 1000
49-16 is 36 with a 00000 Result is even, no remainder, but need 0 as place holder.
63-32 is 31 with a 100000
31-64 does not compute to a positive, but is 16 +15.
So, now we have an addition problem.
_00101111
+00010000
+00001111
yeilds
01000000 binary and that is right as 64-1 (to allow for 0 being valid) is 63.
that help some??? Take extended ASCIIvalue , convert to binary. Now for hex conversion.
Left digit is binary 0100 and that is hex 4. Right digit is binary 0000, hex 0. Conversion complete when we marry hex digit results to 40.
Welcome to PART of what you will be doing with IPV6 addressing, which takes binary IP octets and uses HEX instead as well as allowing different number of Hex digits per hextet structure of IP definition, but that is a different starting point.
If you are familair with boolean ANDing logic, will show you the left to right method if you want, which is what I use internally, but this is above method is easier to program into a HUMAN brain,IMHO.
Rule set, boolean, for left to right is:
If negative, lead 0.
If positive AND even, lead 0.
If positive AND odd, lead 1.
AND, subtract left to right bitwise using byte size leftward progressive padding chunk steppingss to get correct hex result for a Modulo 8 machine if converting to hex. Modulo 16 machines get 2 byte chunking\padding, modulo 32 bit machines are far in the future in pure sense but take a 4 byte chunking. Right now most hardware is building larger words from Modulo 8 or Modulo 16 RAM storage,and RAM is not truely Modulo 32 yet.
HTH. John.
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/tech/input/w2kscan-map.mspx
I'd like to remap the F1 key to the same command as Winkey+M (Minimize all windows) so I can get to the desktop with one fell swoop.
This is for my now infamous 9x DAW (95 explorer, 98SE core, ME system file upgrades)
Is there a resource that someone can point me to or, can someone make a .reg for me (shameless ain't I?)
Thanks.
Linux, Unix, and BSD consoles (like BASH, the Bourne Again SHell) still use Shift-Insert and Shift-Delete for paste and cut (or copy instead of cut, depending on shell). BUT, I learned them in DOS before DOS apps got Ctrl-C, Crtl-X, Ctrl-V also.
Look at the key layout on an IBM Netvista Professional keyboard. Nice wide backspace key (1.5X nomral key width) and to its right is 1\2 keys worth of nice plastic keyboard top, THEN the Insert key to right of that. Some Logitech keyboards also use this layout, and some Keytronics keyboards have similar ideas of separating the INSERT and its mode or file position hopping cousin keys from the backspace key. You are not alone in this respect of accidentally hitting wrong keys, by any means. MY bugaboo is hitting A and Caps Lock at same time....
So, yet another way to solve the problem is get a new keyboard that has things spaced to suit you (that way you can have the function keys, just not bump into them by accident as often), and keys for functions either spaced away from "normal" keys or extra-wide keys for functions. IBM base keyboard layout is one that has been in use since the late 70's and in some cases the keys folks complained about in that layout got separated by a bit of space or adjusted in key width also.
Why would you want to remap the Windows Help Subsystem call default key (that is what F1 normally does) to Minimize-ALL (I do not understand this one, that func key is one I use a lot to look up detailed things)??? Try, for minimizing an open Window in older Windows O\S versions (not in Linux, there it is an up\down scrollbar controller sequence), Ctrl-- (that is control key and - key at same time). Once mouse cursor is on the desktop, try Ctrl-M or CTRL-ALT-M or Ctrl-Shift-M and see what happens.... The Windows key is essentialls what older Windows responded to with a Ctrl-ALt-(plus a key) sequence.
My install is very small less than 40 MB. I stripped out everything I didn't need. This is a very dedicated computer that only records/mixes digital audio (DAW). In fact the F1 key dosen't respond to anything. But since it is a win95 explorer, there is no quick launch bar and no minimize all/show desktop shortcut. I'd really love to be able to minimize all/show desktop with that fat "doing nothing" F1 key though.
But it was interesting. Base conversions are neat to try...
I would suggest that the easiest way to accomplish the F1 -> desktop would be to create a shortcut on the desktop or in the start menu whose hotkey is F1, and make that shortcut show the desktop, one way or another. Issues are that it might be hard finding a way to create such a shortcut, and that there's a delay using those shortcut keys in 9x (just a second or two).
I'll maybe brush up on the scancode stuff to see if something like that could be made to work.
I'm looking for a freeware app keymapper ya know like nonags.com yada,yada. I'll post if I can find anything good to share.
I have learned that XP & 2k have much keymap in the registry and hacks can be done relatively easy in those systems. Now I'm not only looking at a 98SE dinosaur but with a 95 explorer to boot.
:bawling:
do this oww it really oww works oww you oww quickly learn oww damn it where oww the aarrrrgg oowwww key is ugh...