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Jyde
13-09-2004, 02:42
Do any of you have those nifty little apps which effectively disable the <expletive deleted> [WINDOWS] key? While my thumb is now more accurate when pressing the [ALT] button, I do every now and then trigger the dreaded [WINDOWS] key which sends me into a fury of bad words and chants against Gates.

If you do, which app do you use? I think there are a few out there. If I were to install them, does this mean that the [WINDOWS] key is rendered useless forever or just when I play DII?
MN12Thunder
13-09-2004, 02:48
Just use a flat head screwdriver.
Oscuro
13-09-2004, 04:01
Use a keyboard without a windows key on it. My old school Key Tronic keyboard works like a dream, though some of the printing on the keys is becoming worn off. :lol:
Jyde
13-09-2004, 04:43
I'd like to but I'm on a notebook and it's a little hard to change keyboards now ;)
Oscuro
13-09-2004, 05:35
I'd like to but I'm on a notebook and it's a little hard to change keyboards now ;)
I'm sure you can connect an external keyboard, but that might not be the best solution for you. (portability, cost, etc.)

I've heard there are programs out there to disable certain keys, so don't give up hope just yet. Unfortunately, I can't recall any specific names.
Jyde
13-09-2004, 05:43
I know that there are certain apps which allow you to disable the key but I'm not sure how good or effective they are and more importantly, whether they have any detrimental effects.
BartXeno
13-09-2004, 05:45
Follow the instructions here, http://www.rpgexpert.com/548.html, except where it directs you to navigate to a Final Fantasy file, obviously you will select your Diablo 2 game.exe. Works like a charm.
Jyde
13-09-2004, 05:55
Thanks Bart! I'll try it out!

EDIT
Cripes! 23MB download and 45MB in size upon installation? That's huge :) I'll see what it does anyway.
BartXeno
13-09-2004, 06:12
Cripes! 23MB download and 45MB in size upon installation? That's huge :) I'll see what it does anyway.
Wow! I had forgotten it was that big. That's bigger than my first hard drive! It's a developer tool though so it does a number of things. If you only use it for the keyboard control, you could delete a lot of what's installed, starting with the documentation which is about a third of it.
Jyde
13-09-2004, 09:27
I tried installing it and following the instructions. However, it didn't work :( I don't know why. I did restart the PC just to be sure but still, the ALT+TAB and the WINDOWS key prove stronger that Uber Diablo! I must be doing something wrong.

I've seen a few other programs which alter the registry to disable these keys strokes. I'm hesitant to try them and was wondering if anyone has attempted to use them before.
BartXeno
13-09-2004, 09:59
I tried installing it and following the instructions. However, it didn't workNot sure what could have gone wrong if you followed those instructions precisely. That's what worked for me. The toolkit is for Win 2000 SP3, XP, and Server 2003 so if you have a different version that could be the problem.

Did the database you made install okay? Open the Compatability Administrator (Compatadmin.exe) and make sure it's showing up under Installed Databases. If it's not there, you'll need to try again. If it is there but isn't working you could uninstall the database and give it another shot.

I've seen a few other programs which alter the registry to disable these keys strokes. I'm hesitant to try them and was wondering if anyone has attempted to use them before.
The registry hack works, but if you want to use your Windows key when aren't gaming you have to change it back and restart Windows. This little program makes it easy but isn't as convenient as the fix with the Compatability Toolkit. Note that this is for Windows XP only:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_logokeys.htm
jot12
13-09-2004, 10:19
Do any of you have those nifty little apps which effectively disable the <expletive deleted> [WINDOWS] key? While my thumb is now more accurate when pressing the [ALT] button, I do every now and then trigger the dreaded [WINDOWS] key which sends me into a fury of bad words and chants against Gates.

If you do, which app do you use? I think there are a few out there. If I were to install them, does this mean that the [WINDOWS] key is rendered useless forever or just when I play DII?

try this http://windows.about.com/library/tips/bltip086.htm.

But be sure to backup your registry before adding the new key!

Should work like a charm!
snowieken
13-09-2004, 12:14
If you don't feel too comfortable toying around with applications like this, you can work around this problem by familiarizing yourself to another button which replaces Alt. I have mapped the "see-everything-on-the-ground"-key to "5" after three years of playing and cursing the Windows-key. It took me a while to get used to it, but it's worth it... now it is right next to my hotkeys for drinking potions, which has made my DII life a lot easier in the long run as well.
Baboon
13-09-2004, 15:39
I mapped it to shift so I can run around with it pressed almost constantly. Always afraid to miss something :)
Jyde
13-09-2004, 17:46
I mapped it to shift so I can run around with it pressed almost constantly. Always afraid to miss something :)

Oh, that's a good one. I don't use SHIFT for any purpose other than to give my merc a pot but that's SHIFT+whatever :) Cool suggestion! TQ!
Anthraquinone
15-09-2004, 00:17
try this http://windows.about.com/library/tips/bltip086.htm.

But be sure to backup your registry before adding the new key!

Should work like a charm!
Maybe that's a little bit too cryptic for people who don't know much about registry editing.
So, here's a easy-to-use manual for jot12's tip:

Open a new file in notepad, paste the following line, and save the file under "disable win logo key.reg"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,5b, e0,00,00,5c,e0,\
00,00,00,00

Create another file with the name "re-enable win logo key.reg" with the following content:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=-

Double click the 1st file, answer yes, and restart the computer do disable the key. The same procedure with the 2nd file puts the key back in business.

You're still messing with the registry here, so a backup isn't a bad idea: In windows, click start, select "Run", enter "regedit", and press ok. In the registry editor select File, Export to save your current registry file.

Hope that helps,
-AnQ

Edit: somehow, there's a space showing up in the word Control and after 5b, . There must be NO space in there!
Jyde
15-09-2004, 06:04
Thanks AnQ... but I assume that I'll need to constantly restart the PC everytime I disable/enable the windows key, right? It's a little tiresome and I'm trying to cope without editing my registry (did so once and it was close to being disasterous). Still, your help is appreciated and if I'm up for it, I'll follow your superb instructions :)