Z11 - Reconfigure S Buttons (Assist/Dual Pane/VAIO)

I'm starting to work on methods to allow customization of the S Buttons on the new Z series.

Not much progress to report at this time, but I'm hoping to work out a solution in this thread. Contributions are appreciated.

I'm looking into the XML now.

 

You can refer my clean install guide for customizing the S button through the registry.

 

are you referring to this portion?

If so, that's not exactly what I'm looking to do. The new Z series has three buttons, but only one is configurable via the control center.

Psyang was right about the XML files. I'm writing up some info on it now.

 

Dig through the registry for other options. You need to find the application which controls the other buttons. This should be easy to figure out rather than editing the XML files.

 

Well, I'm going to need to differ this for now.

I was able to change the function of the VAIO and dual pane buttons by tweaking the SBCurrentSettingData.XML, but I did something that stopped it from working. Frustrating.

Not sure what I did to break it, but I'll put down a fresh Sony OS build on while I'm out tonight and try again with a clean slate.

If somebody wants to try it while I regroup, here's what I was writing up:

THIS WORKED, THEN STOPPED. YOUR MILEAGE WILL VARY. If you dork up your XML file, just delete it. It will be recreated with default settings.

Coolguy, I did not find any registry settings. Doesn't mean they don't exist.

 

If you want to write your own filter driver for Windows, just to handle the hotkeys and leave the rest to the Sony driver, you can have a look at the sony-laptop linux kernel module. It generates ACPI events for each key-down and key-up.

 

Most people are using x64 Windows Vista onwards these days, and unfortunately, unless you keep "test signing mode" permanently on using bcdedit (or your favourite similar tool), you will need to (after developing your filter driver) cross sign it with your own class 3 kernel code signing certificate and the Microsoft root certificate before it will load, so unless there are any filter driver devs hanging out here with a current cert, it's going to be a bit of a difficult path to follow I fear I might have a probe into building a filter driver on my s series though, I'd like to use those buttons for my own utils too

 

@blinder: AFAIK, ASUS and Acer typically use Dritek keyboard filter (signed) for their hot-key management. There is an API for it, I assume, and all we need is a service or autolaunch application to handle hot-keys. In fact, such an application from ASUS or Acer distribution is probably configurable enough to be useful.

 

I still think the XML mod will be easiest.

I won't be able to test for a while, looks like my machine is going in to have the BluRay drive replaced.

 

This might help you http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/480902-s1-s2-av-buttons-working-vaio-ar5-7-x64.html

 

That looks promising

EDIT:

Gave it a quick try this morning. It didn't work

Here's what I did:


\Setting Utility Series\SBCurrentSettingData.xml

Before:

PHP:

- <SBCurrentSetting>
  <MachineID>17203</MachineID> 
- <SKeySetting>
  <SKey Funcid='54' Keyid='1' Type="0" /> 
  </SKeySetting>
  </SBCurrentSetting>

After:

PHP:

<SBCurrentSetting>
 <MachineID>17203</MachineID>
<SKeySetting>
 <SKey Funcid='102' Keyid='2' Type="0"/>
 <SKey Funcid='54' Keyid='1' Type="0"/>
 </SKeySetting>
 </SBCurrentSetting>

Rename M17203.xml to OLD_M17203.xml
Rename M19763.xml to M17203.xml

\VAIO Control Center\Config\ModelConfigSUS.xml
Replace 19763 with 17203

\VAIO Control Center\Config\ModelConfigVCC.xml
Replace 19763 with 17203

I chose 19763 because it is the ID used on my Z591. There are several others to choose from, so this may still be viable.

 

When you buy a Z with hard drive, the eject button is replaced by another button that you can custmize in the control center.

This is what was in my xml file. Im gonna try and see if I can't also set the ASSIST ad VAIO buttons

PHP:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<SBCurrentSetting><MachineID>17203</MachineID><SKeySetting>
        <SKey Funcid='56' Keyid='1' Type="0">
        </SKey><SKey Funcid='32' Keyid='2' Type="0">
        </SKey></SKeySetting></SBCurrentSetting>


 

Hi guys, have you been able to make the customization working?

I have only been able to change the behavior of the Vaio and the double screen key.

Now I'd like to change the Assist key.

Cheers,
Antoine

 

Hi,

what did you do to change the behaviour of the double screen key? Could you reproduce the original function, which was to re-arrange the windows automatically?

 

Im actually intersted in how you managed to change the vaio key
Thanks

 

Sorry folks, I've been traveling and it's the same story this week. (NYC people say hay)

The limited cycles I have had were applied here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/484384-sony-vpc-z11-slow-post.html

As for the double-screen key, I think you need to have a program called the "VAIO Window Organizer" installed for it to become an option. I'm not sure what package it comes in, so not sure what to do for people running with a clean install. I've only seen it with the Sony build.

That said, don't forget one of Windows 7's best new features. Windows key + arrow. It does some of the same stuff and I use it all the time.

Some new and old key combinations.

• Windows logo key +Up Arrow: Maximize the window.
• Windows logo key +Left Arrow: Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.
• Windows logo key +Right Arrow: Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.
• Windows logo key +Down Arrow: Minimize the window.
• Windows logo key +Home: Minimize all but the active window.
• Windows logo key +Shift+Up Arrow: Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
• Windows logo key +Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow: Move a window from one monitor to another.

Full keyboard shortcut listing: Keyboard shortcuts

 

True that, I never really used the re-arrange button before. But now that it is gone it bugs me...

Why oh why Sony, do you go out of your way to irritate and annoy your customers...

 

After my clean install the Vaio button now mutes on/off. As I don't intend to ever install Media Gallery (the original function of that button) I wonder if it's possible to configure the Vaio button to open Vaio Control Center ?

Any help greatly apreciated

 

Same question, any way to do something with this button?

 

Hey! Good work this is kind of what I am looking for, only I'd like it in an E-Series flavor if that's possible (EB specifically). Help a brother out, what do I need to do to get this working on my own platform?

I tried running your program anyway, and got this error:

details below

Code:

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/Sam/AppData/Local/Temp/Rar$EX09.860/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
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.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.