Reassign ThinkVantage key in Vista?

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matthauger · #1 Post by **matthauger** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:29 am

Asked this question over at the NotebookReivew.com forums, to no avail (at least not yet). Any idea where the registry key for the ThinkVantage key is in Vista?

ThinkWiki has instructions for XP and Win2000, but not for Vista. I've uninstalled the Productivity Center, and I'd like to reassign the button to do something useful.

#2 Post by **RonS** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:04 am

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001]
"File"="C:\\PROGRA~2\\THINKV~1\\PrdCtr\\LPL1.exe"

ickysmits · #3 Post by **ickysmits** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:50 pm

Hi Ron, I’m also looking for the same solution as bighaugs. The information you posted is helpful, but it seems you have Productivity Center installed (PrdCtr). However if the Productivity Center were removed, as Bighaugs and I have done, then there's nothing pointing to the button to change, correct? If that’s true, how would you find the blue ThinkVantage button to allow me to configure it any way I want?

Do you think I'd have to load Productivity Center so the computer knows the button is there, disable Productivity Center, and change something in the registry that tells the button what to open (like described in ThinkWiki)? Would that even be worth it?

Those are a lot of questions - but I'd like to at least know if my thinking is correct before I start messing around too much. It seems like a simple thing, but it could be an interesting challenge for anyone with more expertise.

#4 Post by **erik** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:14 am

this registry key has nothing to do with the thinkvantage productivity center. it's owned by thinkpad hotkey features (HKLM\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY).

as long as you have hotkey features installed, the blue button can be programmed to run any executable file. here's the simple way to do it if you're unfamiliar with registry editing...

create a new text file and paste the following text:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001]
"File"="C:\\Windows\\notepad.exe"

replace "C:\\Windows\\notepad.exe" with whatever executable you want to run, making sure to use double backslashes in the path. save the text file (naming it whatever you want) and change the file extension from ".txt" to ".reg". double-click the file, confirm the registry change, and you're set.

ickysmits · #5 Post by **ickysmits** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:30 am

I get it.......and that is very cool! Thank you very much for giving great instructions, appreciated.

#6 Post by **erik** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:33 pm

update: i just posted this response under a similar question in the X6x/t forum and thought it would be of some help in this thread, too.

i edited my registry to run a batch file that powers off the display and locks the workstation. this is handy for when i need to leave my desk for a while and don't want to put my thinkpad to sleep.

registry entry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001]
"File"="c:\\lock.bat"

batch file ("lock.bat") contents:
@echo off
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\ThinkPad\Utilities"
start PWMOSDV
rundll32 user32.dll, LockWorkStation
cls

note: replace the "Program Files (x86)" path with "Program Files" under 32-bit OSes. mine is like that because server 2008 and vista 64-bit installs 32-bit legacy apps into their own PF directory.

ickysmits · #7 Post by **ickysmits** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:37 am

I would like to do this..but, couple of questions if you could;

I don’t have "C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities" in my path because, I think, I did a clean install and must have left out the utility file this points to. I’m not able to ‘power off display’ by pressing Fn + F3 either – so it doesn’t seem like an option for me. However, is it possible to assign ‘sleep’ (Fn +F4) to the button instead?

If so, how? Sorry, computers aren’t exactly my forte…but I like finding out this kind of challenge.

I have a different question about assigning an application to the ThinkVantage button through the registry. Notepad works fine when I make the button point to the notepad.exe. However, when I assign C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe - or - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.exe…IE won’t load my homepage and Word won’t start a new page. What am I doing wrong? How do I make IE open my home page and make Word open a new page right off the bat?

For example, when I put "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" into the registry for the ThinkVantage button I get the following message: "The directory name is not valid. (C:\Windows\System32\Files\Microsoft.doc)

Only after I select "OK" I get a new page. How do I make Word just open a new page automatically?

Thanks in advance for any help.

#8 Post by **erik** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:26 am

ickysmits wrote:I don’t have "C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities" in my path because, I think, I did a clean install and must have left out the utility file this points to. I’m not able to ‘power off display’ by pressing Fn + F3 either – so it doesn’t seem like an option for me. However, is it possible to assign ‘sleep’ (Fn +F4) to the button instead?

i'm on a clean install as well. be sure to install the 'thinkpad power manager' software as that's what helps control the Fn+F3 and Fn+F4 buttons and will install the utility referenced above to turn off the display.

ickysmits wrote:For example, when I put "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" into the registry for the ThinkVantage button I get the following message: "The directory name is not valid. (C:\Windows\System32\Files\Microsoft.doc)

i tested that and see what you mean. you'll have to create a batch file to run the app instead of linking it directly in the registry.

registry entry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001]
"File"="c:\\runapp.bat"

"runapp.bat" contents:
@echo off
cd "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer"
start iexplore
cls

this method will allow you to change the application path without having to edit the registry every time. you can also run multiple apps with the following batch code:

@echo off
cd "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer"
start iexplore
cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12"
start WINWORD
cls

i've tested the above and know that both apps will open without the errors that you had with direct linking them in the registry. it seems like a batch file is the best way to go in this case.

ickysmits · #9 Post by **ickysmits** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:22 am

Perfect! This works better for opening software and creating batch files is simple and opens more possibilities. Thanks erik for your expertise and instructions to make the big blue button at least do something useful.

#10 Post by **erik** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:20 am

no problem. glad to be of help.

ickysmits · #11 Post by **ickysmits** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:44 am

erik, I'm compiling the information you describe over at notebookreview.com and a member (Hellbore) mentioned a way to make the ThinkVantage button control hibernate. Just thought you might be interested.

registry entry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\TPHOTKEY\8001]
"File"="c:\\hibernate.bat"

"hibernate.bat" contents:
@echo off
shutdown /h

I thought it was pretty slick

#12 Post by **erik** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:11 am

i just found the thread here for anyone interested.

Reassign ThinkVantage key in Vista?

Reassign ThinkVantage key in Vista?

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