Thinkpads Forum

After upgrading my X201T to Windows 8, I noticed I couldn't use my ThinkVantage button no matter what.
I found out I could install SimpleTap to enable the button, but even though I made a good use of it back on Windows 7, I don't think I wanted it on W8, especially when its sole purpose was to make the button work.

I took out my other laptops, and after some comparing and testing, I found out that adding another entry other than HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001 does the trick.

In addition to the "default" and "file" string you have in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001, you need to add the same key plus a "Parameter" string(which is to be left blank) to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LENOVO\TPHOTKEY\Class\01\18
This key entry may not exist as default, so you may need to add the "18"entry to do this.

I made a preconfigured .reg file and files to make it easier to customize. If you feel a bit lazy or think my work is sleek enough to use, I suggest you just use it

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?t45x8s68lw2f274

I didn't test it on Windows 7, but since this method has been discovered by examining the registry keys of Windows 7, I think it will work on the OS as well.
Not sure also, but you may need UltraNav Driver installed. Didn't test it without the driver, though.

Hi. I other people say it doesn't work.
There must another hidden player in the game....

Have you made any progress getting it working?

I think I have discussed this with you on the Lenovo forums.

I would like the ThinkVantage button to open the Sound control panel on the Playback tab, as I need to open it very often to connect to my Plantronics BackBeat 903+ headset.

(It's an great headset with fantastic sound quality. The only bad thing about it is that it does not support multipoint, so I cannot connect to my smartphone and ThinkPad simultaneously)

Hi!
I have T400 with W8 and I was digging through hotkeys driver.
From what I found now, the registry keys are doing... nothing. Every fn+fX combination is executing \Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\tpfnfX.exe (so if you'd like to run something using FN+F1, place here file "tpfnf1.exe" that will be executed).
Anyway, still found nothing about ThinkVantage button and Volume keys (funny thing is that vol up/down are working ok; but mute IS muting volume in hardware, not software [windows does not see change and I cannot unmute using key]). Maybe someone else can try to dig through this.

I'm using exactly this driver (8jvu34ww.exe)
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=DS014985

[edit]
Ok, this sounds like a bug with the newest driver v3.84. As advised on some older topic, I installed older, 3.81 version of driver, and everything's working now - both mute button, and editing ThinkVantage key in registry.

Kitor, I have been using v3.81 all along, as the newer versions do not work with the Communications Utility (Fn+F6) and do not give the Wireless radio on/off dialogue for WiFi and Bluetooth when Access Connections is not installed (which does not work with Windows 8 anyway), as the newer versions try to start the Lenovo Settings Metro app instead (which is insulting, seeing as there is no way for us to even get that).

To make it work, I install it in Windows 7 Compatibility Mode and only install the On-Screen-Display component (I disable the actual OSD in Advanced Graphics Options, as they are redundant in Windows 8, but the installer doesn't know that as I am using Win7 Compatibility Mode). I also install Auto-Scroll Utility (possibly from another version, I cannot remember) as I find that useful.

What have you got in the registry to get the ThinkVantage button working? Do you think it requires more than just the OSD component of the Hotkey drivers?

HKLM\Software\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001
File: <path>

HKLM\Software\IBM\TPHOTKEY\Class\01\18
File: <path>
Parameters: (empty string)

HKLM\Software\Lenovo\TPHOTKEY\Class\01\18
File: <path>
Parameters: (empty string)

I have those three - not sure which of them is doing the trick - you must try them all.

I have OSD installed, but disabled - as yours + driver, and AFAIR nothing more.

Hi guys, it's been a long time. Sorry for the lack of response for your replies.
I've digging into this a bit more, and unfortunately I don't think I can get it working...
There is a workaround though. If you install SimpleTap the blue buton works as SimpleTap button. After that, the classic registry tweak seems to work normally.
I think this program installs some kind of monitoring service to the computer, but I can't figure out for sure...
Also, Lenovo solution center seems to work with the blue button as well. I didn't check out if registry tweak works on this case though...

I just checked on clean install of Windows 8, I have driver ver 3.81 and only this key

kitor wrote:HKLM\Software\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001
File: <path>

OSD is installed, but disabled. Everything's working Ok.