How to use all your VPC-Z's S-Buttons for your purposes

NEWS: Now new with Multimedia Controls!


You ever wanted to use your VPC-Z's S-Buttons for starting your own applications? You are sick and tired of having two nice quick access buttons wasted since they are quite useless?

Then read on, you are just about to improve the show-off factor of your Z!

Background story: There was a post some time ago where ZoinksS2k and some other guys tried to figure out how to remap their S-Buttons:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/480606-z11-reconfigure-s-buttons-assist-dual-pane-vaio-2.html
Since there was no solution, I did some research by tracing the VESMgr.exe (VAIO Event Service Manager) process. There is quite much going on when one of the S-Buttons is pressed but fortunately, they had application links hardcoded so this was the way to step into that system.

In VAIO Control Center, you can simply change the behavior of the middle (window pane) S-button, but not the two others. Originally, the VAIO Button was used to start the Media Gallery and the ASSIST button was supposed to start VAIO Care. Since I did a clean install and I dont want all this bloatware stuff, my ASSIST and VAIO buttons were useless (OK, the VAIO button at least muted my sound, - I already got FN+F2!).

When tracing the processes I found out that if you press one of the buttons, VESMgr looks for the Sony application at first at the following places:

ASSIST button: C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\VAIO Recovery\VAIORecv.exe
VAIO button: C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Media Gallery\VRLP.exe

I had the idea, that one can just throw an executable file named as VESMgr requests there and voilà, there we go.

In order to put a little bit more flexibility in that stuff and make dynamic remapping of a button possible, I decided to write a small and simple loader application which is called by VESMgr, fetches a variable executable path from the registry, calls the assigned executable and closes itself.

In order to reassign the two buttons by changing the registry value, I wrote another application, in which one can select the desired application to load upon a button press. This tool simply takes the file path of the selected file and saves it into the correspondent registry value.




The file paths are stored in

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Corporation\Shared Info\UXInfo

where VAIObutton and Assistbutton are the file paths to the applications which are called.

I chose this location for storing the information since I figured out that Sony counts your Mute, Volume, Brightness, S-Button presses and stores it there. UXInfo probably means User Experience Info - quite interesting, I guess that Sony would like to send that data home and evaluate how you guys use those short cuts, huh?



You find my binaries attached, I will release sources written in VB in the next thread. You can also use the small installer script (batch file) which copies the launcher file to the two destinations described above so you can start using your buttons at once after you defined the applications to start. If you actually have one of the Sony applications installed, you will need to rename the corresponding files and change your shortcuts before running the installer script. The script will let you know if all things went well.

This small tool was created in 2 hours and it still provides only basic look and feel and simple functions. In the future I am planning to include some other functions like API file calls (currently you can only start .exe files without arguments) in order to open documents or executables with arguments (e.g. imagine starting your email template, presentation, svn checkout or favorite internet radio station with one button press). Therefore, since I just started development on this tool, I am very looking forward to getting feedback on that and improvement suggestions.

Last but not least, by using this tool you accept the following disclaimer:
The software comes as is and is fully open source. Author and forum members do not warrant its use, function or that it is free of issues. It is a contribution to the NBR community without commercial interest, so please be fair and do not sell this small piece of software for money. Author and forum members are not responsible for any damage caused by this software, but don't worry, I don't have time nor knowledge to provide you with virus crap or something.

Have fun!

 

CHANGELOG:

0.1 Initial release

0.2 Added support for drive tray eject (for those guys who don't have compatible drive replacements)

0.3 Fixed Path issue (thx go to Psinewave: Post)

0.4 Multimediacontrols added (implementation of these methods). Some optimizations done.

Sources including Visual Studio 2010 project files attached.



_____________________________________________________________________


Manual:

1. Download package "Custom_S-Button_Launcher_0.4.zip"

2. Copy CustomLauncher.exe to the respective directories and rename it to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\VAIO Recovery\VAIORecv.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Media Gallery\VRLP.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Care\VAIOCare.exe

(Depending on your VAIO Event Service Version or model there might be other paths, just post we are here to help!)
Eventually replace your original Sony Program file which is executed when button is pressed.

3. Copy ASSIST_Button / VAIO_Button in the corresponding directory. The CustomLauncher file searches after those files in order to identify which button was pressed (which sony application had been loaded instead).

4. Start LauncherControl.exe and chose your executable files / functions which should be assigned to the buttons. After you hit the save and close button, your changes are saved in the registry and you can check the buttons' function.

Have fun with that!

 

Great work! +rep

 

Nicely done Reps all around... well, almost

 

how about creating a registry entry that doesnt require the vaio manager and it does it directly to the registry?

a stand alone app

 

What do you mean? All you need is to use the control utility above. Perhaps you mean the window pane button? You can assign that with much more functions than what this tool does in the vaio control center.

 

Good job, another great thing in this laptop, thx

 

pyr0
Great work! Maybe you know how to remap "eject" button for machines with newmodeus caddy?

 

Yeah currently I am working on that. Stay tuned.

 

Haha, when i read that I was thinking that when you press that, your HDD just flies out... actually it'd be cool if we could have hot-swappable HDDs . In any case, can't we build off how Sony implemented the eject button for the Z's with the built in HDD? Do they even still have the button? (I would think, but just making sure)

 

Achusaysblessyou
Here is a post and pic from TofuTurkey http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/517660-vaio-window-organizer-2.html#post6728213
As you see S2(eject) button is programmable on his machine

 

Ahh that's cool that Sony built that into the software to detect if there's no CD drive... i guess that saves us a bit of work

 

@Pyro: Thanks a lot for this, not only tracing the processes and finding the .exes but making the app to change them with a GUI, way to go the extra mile. Just wondering, could you point me in the right direction concerning how you "traced" file access of the processes on windows? I'd use lsof, or jobs on linux but the equivalent on winows is...?

@Agabi: Unless I missed something, that still doesn't explain how to get S2 control on a Z modified with a HDD Caddy. Having originally had the drive in my Z12, the S2 control does not show up.

Cheers.

 

... process monitor 2.91! At least this is what I used. It is quite straigtforward but very powerful. Nice to check out where processes are fiddling around...

You trace the desired processes as shown in the picture and you will see where it opens files, checks registry keys etc.



Have fun playing with it.

 

Updated. Now with support for optical drives that can't be ejected with the Sony eject button. Currently working on implementing the original Eject button for guys without the drive. Need to take out my odd for that.

 

Pyro, have you been able to look into this?

Cheers.

 

As far as I can see from tracing the process the Eject button (which is a presentation button on Z's with HDD) it first looks for Office (PowerPoint) and then into the device list for the ODD. Since I did not take out my ODD for testing, I am not finished yet. I think I will try that in the holidays. You will be kept on track with updates then.

 

so there is no way to use the assist buttons by just enetering a regedit?

you have to install one of sonys apps

 

I am having some problems. I installed and it said not found, so I read deeper and see I had to change the files so I did that (changed VLRP)- however, could not find the file for "ASSIST" button, the folder contained only another folder, the directory you listed did not work for me.

In any case I then selected a program and the "VAIO" button is just muting, not launching that program. I feel like I must be missing a really simple step somewhere.

 

Hi pyr0,

I used ur software at F12S1E/B, but it didn't work.


First i used "install" file, and vaio buttons skkipped as u write at the descripton,
and i changed media gallery's exe file name, VRLP to VRLPP, and than tried the luncher and choose the my software (at desktop, blackbox, simple one-click pc anlyze program) but it didn't work and vaio button was working like a mute button, then i changed my software name to VRLP (at desktop) still I didnt get any goal, then i made a shortcut and copied to media gallery (name VRLP) still wasn't any action, finally I move my software(blackbox) completely to the media gallery (name VRLP) then it finally works!

*After each changin i initialized again with ur software the vaio button.

However, does it mean it only works if software's .exe file is at the media gallery directory? Because shortcut or using ur software dont make any changing, or Do I have any mistakes in progress. can u or anyone help me ?

*I did everything as an administration.

sorry for language, I am from Turkey.

 

You mean a VPCF12(F-series)? This program was made with the VPCZ11/Z12/Z13(Z-series) in mind... no guarantee that it'll work for any other Vaio

 

Is there anyway this could work on a Y series laptop?

 

Hello all. I am a new member, long time browser of notebookreviews.com

So, I feel a little dense now. I am unsure of how to "install" this. I downloaded "Custom_S-Button_Launcher_0.2" and there are two executables and a registry file.

-first I double clicked to install the registry file.
-I restarted my computer

-next I attempted to run "customlauncher.exe" and received a message asking me to ensure that the Loader app was in the correct folder ( I am unsure of what that means)

-then I ran "launchercontrol.exe" and the dialog box allowing me to choose an exe for the two buttons popped up. I assigned an .exe to each button and saved (I ran launchercontrol.exe as admin).

I have yet to successfully get it to work. the buttons still launch the defaults (i.e. vaio care and media gallery).

I am using a VPCZ11. Thank you.

 

you have to copy customlauncher.exe to the paths mentioned in the first post in this thread. since you got both sony apps installed, RENAME their application files and rename customlauncher which replaces each original software.

the tool should work on different machines as well as long as the keys originally launch the same applications (vaio care and media gallery)

if following the guide in the 1st post does not work for you, send me a pm and I will help you make your vaio supported. any hints and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

hey manyakurt,

please follow these steps:
Copy customlauncher.exe to the media gallery directory and rename it to vrlp.exe. It sould work. Or first rename media gallery and vaio care exe files (full path and filename shown in 1st post) and then launch install.bat

it should say that it has both files copied and it should work.

hope this helps

greetings from almanya

 

Thanks pyr0, it works perferctly.

I only changed my VAIO button, assist is helpful for me for care, and recovery functions.

Only one thing I want to add,
After copied custom launcher and renamed it, I had to change "run as an administration" in properties, otherwise it gives a .net framework error.

But everything works perfectly and software runs for VAIO-F series too.

Teşekkürler yardımların ve ilgilenmen için dostum !

Another question, Is it possible to configure VAIO buttons for booting linux?
I mean, ASSIST button can boot recovery partition, when the computer is power off. Like this, can VAIO button behave like that?

 

nice work

this may seem like a dumb question (apologies in advance), but to enable the custom eject button function, would i first need to remove the optical drive?

thanks

 

No, you just have to enter the driver letter your drive is assigned to and you can open your drive tray with the VAIO button.

have fun.

 

hi again pry0

so i am having a bit of trouble getting your script to work on my z133gx

i did a clean install, and removed the sony recovery manager and sony media.

when i launch customlauncher, it says "please make sure the loader application is in the correct folder"

when i launch launchercontrol, and try to assign .exe files to the assist and vaio buttons, it says "unhandled exception has occured in your application. if you click continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. if you click quit the application will close immediately. access to the registery key 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wwow6432Node

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the registry key 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Corporation\Shared Info\UXInfo' is denied.
at Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey.Win32Error(Int32 errorCode, String str)
at Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey.CreateSubKey(String subkey, RegistryKeyPermissionCheck permissionCheck, RegistrySecurity registrySecurity)
at Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey.CreateSubKey(String subkey)
at Microsoft.Win32.Registry.SetValue(String keyName, String valueName, Object value, RegistryValueKind valueKind)
at Microsoft.Win32.Registry.SetValue(String keyName, String valueName, Object value)
at LauncherControl.Form1.Button3_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4952 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
LauncherControl
Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/Kim%20VaioZ/Downloads/Custom_S-Button_Launcher_0.2/LauncherControl.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.


any thoughts?

thanks

 

You need to copy customlauncher.exe here:
ASSIST button: C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\VAIO Recovery\VAIORecv.exe
VAIO button: C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Media Gallery\VRLP.exe

If you got issues with launchercontrol.exe, run it as administrator or switch security stuff of (I guess your defender prevents the tool from changing registry keys)

You can also manually set reg keys as mentioned in post 1.

 

i have followed your instructions and created the assist and vaio paths and copied customlauncher. i have also disabled windows defender and antivirus software.

i get the same "unhandled exception has occured" error for ASSIST and "file 0 not found" error for VAIO button.

any thoughts?

 

Did you rename customlauncher.exe to VAIORecv.exe and VRLP.exe respectively? What happens when you press the S-Buttons?
Browse to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Corporation\Shared Info\UXInfo and create a String key called Assistbutton. Enter a path to an exe file (e.g. C:\test.exe) as value.

What System do you use ? I guess Win7 64 bit.

 

i have renamed customlauncher to VAIORecv.exe and VRLP.exe within their respective pathes.

nothing happens when i press ASSIST and VAIO button mutes my audio

i created the Assistbutton registry string, and used C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe as a test value. pressing on ASSIST button does nothing

i am using win7 pro, 64-bit.

what do you think? thanks

 

Please try to copy any other exe file to VAIORecv.exe. It should start the exe. If not, reinstall sony utilities:

Setting utilities
VAIO Shared
VAIO Event Service.

I guess there is a problem between the button and sony software which actually launches your executable.

If that all doesnt fix your problem, you definitely did something wrong. Please follow instructions given in post 1 carefully!

 

what is strange (and maybe this will shed more light) is that when i run the batch file, it says

"copy launcher button for vaio button...access is denied"
"copy launcher button for assist button...access is denied"

but i guess this does not matter since i have manually created the paths and copied customlauncher into the folders?

by the way, vaio shared and vaio event services is installed.

i wonder if we did our "clean install" differently?

 

You need to run the batch file as administrator.

 

hi,
i am running the batch file as an administrator. there is only 1 admin account enabled on this computer (no guest access).

 

And you right clicked and chose, "Run as Administrator" when you ran it (even if the account is an administrator account, it runs as a user except when prompted to elevate...). If so, very odd that it would deny a copy to the program files folder... Maybe run in safe mode first?

 

um wow that solved it, thanks

as for the eject s-button, how might i customize that one? is this function only available if i remove the optical disc drive?

thanks and happy new year

 

eject button currenzly cannot be configured with this tool. we are working on that.

 

thanks looking forward to it

 

Hi,

Looks great, but we can only configure the buttons to open an executable? Would it be possible to have the same list of options as we have in the VAIO Control Center?



Thanks a lot

 

Thank you !

 

Thanks for this great tweak, mate. I was just wondering if you could possibly add a "turn display off" function so that I can manually turn the display on and off, as opposed to the timer-based one which is built into Windows. Thanks again.

 

GREAT WORK pyr0!!!

I tried to apply this on my Vaio S, unfortunately did not succeed:

1. Running install.bat as an admin showed:



Surprising, as I uninstalled Vaio Care long time ago, but

2. I went and replaced the original VAIORecv.exe with CustomLauncher.exe

3. Ran LauncherControl.exe and selected an application for the Assist button only, as I kind of like muting with one button.

4. Restarted and found out that nothing has changed - VAIO still mutes, Assist does not do anything.

5. Went to the registry and found out the following situation:



Polyglot.exe is the program I would want Assist to launch. I also noticed VAIOButton has "Please select file" which I guess comes from the fact that I did not select anything for it in LauncherControl.exe... I guess this is something to be corrected in the next version.

But anyway - practically nothing changed for me, besides the registry records. Any clue?

Thank you in advance!!

 

you can use the little tool nircmd, it's an executable and has many options, also turning display off and many other things.

 

Hi guys, thanks for all info you all shared here. Yet, is anyone know how to make it works on vaio VPCF series (VPCF115FM). I thought HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wwow6432Node, which is default registry path for this application is not present in my model (I mean the "Wwow6432Node"). Can anyone please please show us step by step for manually edit the registry so my Assist and Vaio buttons works as expected? This problem come to me when I do dual boot for 64bit(preinstalled) and 32bit system. Vaio did not provide complete driver for 32 bit windows system. Thanks bro...

 

Great little tool! Just one thing that's tripped me up though ... on my Z128 the Assist button runs "C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Care\VAIOCare.exe" rather than the recovery program ... I backed up that file and then copied CustomLauncher.exe there but I get the error message "Please make sure the Loader Application is in the correct folder!" ... I'm assuming this is because I've got a slightly different (newer?) version of the Vaio software running (I don't remember changing it but then again my memory isn't the best!). Any way of telling CustomLauncher that this location is also a possible launch location for the Assist button please? :-D

 

Hey Psinewave, thanks for the suggestion, I updated CustomLauncher since the paths to the Care and Mediagallery applications were hardcoded. Read here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...c-zs-s-buttons-your-purposes.html#post6949498

Tell me if this works better for you.

 

Hey pyr0,

Thanks for responding so quickly! Sorry about the delay in getting back to you, been a little hectic here!

New version works great! Got a little bit confused about copying the ASSIST_Button and VAIO_Button (they weren't in the archive) but I assumed you meant create some empty files of the appropriate name in the appropriate folders and it worked.

Thanks again! :-D