Remapping MediaDirect Button [Dell Studio 17 TouchButton]

Hey guys. I know this has been covered a billion times but a lot of the posts I am reading are ancient.

What is the best / latest method of remapping the Dell Media Direct button on my Dell Studio 17 (touch button).

I would like it to open something else.... e.g. itunes...

Could I assign the button to perform a task? e.g. defrag C drive or am I being a little too adventurous?


Many thanks.

 

BuMpInG

 

Give this a try, it should let you use the MediaDirect button on your Dell Studio to execute a program of your choice.

These instructions apply to both Windows Vista and Windows 7.

NOTE: These instructions assume you are using a 64-bit version of Windows. If you are using a 32-bit version of Windows, substitute "Program Files (x86)" below with "Program Files". To verify which architecture you are using, click on Start, right click on Computer, then click on Properties. In the window that appears, look at the text next to "System type" which will state either "64-bit Operating System" or "32-bit Operating System" accordingly.

1. Click on Start, and in the start search field type regedit.
2. Right click on the regedit.exe listing and click on "Run as administrator".
3. Provide the appropriate credentials or consent when prompted.
4. In the left hand pane, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MobilePC\HotStartButtons.
5. Right click on the HotStartButtons key and click on New, then click on Key.
6. Name the new key 1
7. Click on the 1 key, then in the right hand pane right click a blank area and click on New, then click on String Value.
8. Give the new string value a name of ApplicationPath.
9. Double click on the ApplicationPath key, and set the value to the full path of your application - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe.
10. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

• If you want to program the button to launch the built in Windows disk defragmenter, substitute the path with C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\defrag.exe.
• For Internet Explorer, substitute the path with C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe.

Hope that helps, have a great day!

 

Hi there. Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately this did not work for me. I followed the instructions, restarted, clicked on 'MediaDIrect' touch button and nothing opened.

Hmmm. Would not adding the '.' to the end of itunes.exe make a difference? I did not add an '.' before...but I have now and I will retsrat it later and post back results.

In the meantime I have repped you. +1. Very informative posts. Thanks.

 

Which model of the Studio 17 do you have?

 

1735.

 

Do you happen to know what version of MediaDirect came with your computer? I know some models had a seperate partition that they booted from to launch the MediaDirect software.

Also, what happens if you try setting the ApplicationPath to "C:\Windows\Notepad.exe" (without the quotes)? Does it launch anything?

 

Hi there. I don't know what version shipped with the laptop.
I can't remember if I had the partition.. if I did it is gone now.

C:\Windows\Notepad.exe opens notepad when typed into search box ..

 

It was Media Direct 4 without separate partition, windows application only.

 

Ahh ok. Nice one mate. Rep +1 for you.

 

jUsT2eXy, in order to remap MediaDirect button you can try my application:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell/567848-mediadirect-button-expanding-possibilities.html

It's lightweight and it allows you to assign a separate action to the "long press" event (when you press the button and hold it for a specified amount of time).

Hope you like it.

 

Really a nice one. Thanks for posting it. It made me after three long years actually start using it again Kudos & Rep.