Thinkpad Button Question on a31

[msmithr99]

Reinstalled xp on a a31. All Drivers installed ok except the thinkpad and volume button dosen't work. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help. Model number is 2652 p3u

[Harryc]

You probably need to install the hotkey utility.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... UTILS.html

[msmithr99]

I have already installed the hotkey utility and no luck. I am using a ATI graphics driver, see my other post. I wonder if this has anything to do with this issue. Thanks in advance for any help!

[ajkula66]

Before anything else, you must install the audio driver:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-41943

Take note of the fact that once the driver is downloaded, it must be extracted from C>Drivers>Win>Audio.

Hope this helps.

[msmithr99]

Thanks for your help. I installed the audio driver and the volume buttons now work. However, the thinkpad button doesn't work. I checked the other drivers to make sure all the drivers have been installed and I don't think any are missing. So, any help on the Thinkpad button ??? Thanks

[Harryc]

While windows is running the Thinkpad button can be programmed to launch anything.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Button

[msmithr99]

Thanks for your responce, but I am wanting to return the thinkpad button to its original function. So any help to do this is greatly appreciated.

[Harryc]

but I am wanting to return the thinkpad button to its original function.

... and what might that be?

[msmithr99]

Thats just it, I don't know specifically. I know on thinkpads the thinkpad button will bring up a system information program that explains the functions/features of the laptop. It also allows for customization of settings. So If you don't know thanks for replying but I hope someone else has this answer.

[Harryc]

LOL ... I just installed a complete IBM recovery load on my A31P, and the Thinkpad button does nothing, So that tells me that IBM planned for it to be that way. I simply offered you an alternative for programming it to do what you want it to. Now, if you hold that button down on boot, that's a different thing altogether.

[ElbertR]

Here is a link to a utility that will let you give a specific function to the Thinkpad button:

http://www.schlackman.org/programs/thinkpad/

I use this utility to turn the Thinkpad button in a 'windows' key which brings up the 'Start' menu.