Database Users

Start button without using Stylus?

I'm probably missing something obvious but on my XDA Mini S I don't appear to be able to press the "start" button on the today screen via a hard button (used to be centre button on my old XDAIIs) without having to get the stylus out.

I'm sure we're both missing something, 'cus I concur.
However, if you find yourself desperate you can install my program VJKeypress (on my website) and use the command line 91 to pop the start menu. Make a shortcut and assign it to a hardware key.
V

i just slide the keyboard out a bit about .75cm and the start key on the keyboard is exposed, press it and VOILA!! hahaha, yah i thought the keyboard wouldn't work unless its out all the way but it does :lol:

i use my finger.
sometimes i miss

zsizsi said:
i use my finger.
sometimes i miss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If God wanted me to pull the stylus out everytime, he wouldn't have given me fingers! also anything to hand (as long as gentle) ie a real pen (nib withdrawn or the ink might mark the screen), screwdriver, key etc.
Also screen protector so you dont damage anything

I made this for using on my i-mate k-jam.
After installation you can use left software key to Start

Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats what i did except have button 4 to ok/close and button 4 hold to start

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess its all about personal preference
I installed the above cab file as i already have all the hardware buttons set to what i want but never used the Calendar soft key and had been after a way to do this for ages so thanks kjk :wink:
Chris

Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, me too.
By far the simplest solution.
I did try installing VITO ButtonMapper so I could have multiple apps mapped to the buttons but it has screwed up my 'soft buttons'.
DON'T USE IT, or Battery Pack Pro for that matter as it screwed up the whole PDA.
RObin

Puckster said:
I guess its all about personal preference
I installed the above cab file as i already have all the hardware buttons set to what i want but never used the Calendar soft key and had been after a way to do this for ages so thanks kjk :wink:
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to help

Robster said:
Priit said:
Why do you want to do this easy thing in such a complex way? Just open Settings, click Buttons and assign <Start Menu> to any of your hardware buttons. I have configured Button 1 to open start menu (it's messaging bu default) and Button 2 for <OK/Close> (that button is IE by default).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, me too.
By far the simplest solution.
I did try installing VITO ButtonMapper so I could have multiple apps mapped to the buttons but it has screwed up my 'soft buttons'.
DON'T USE IT, or Battery Pack Pro for that matter as it screwed up the whole PDA.
RObin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had the same problems with vito buttonmapper. toggling buttonmapper on and off a few times seemed to fix it. not very good i know but it works perfectly now.

I used to set the Comm button to act as the start button. Don't do that anymore these days because i needed the quick button to the Comm manager. Thank god for fingers
I still bind the memo/speech button on the right to the OK/Close button at the top right button. Found it easier to use when typing the the keyboard or in normal mode.

All well least it wasn't me being dim! thanks for all the suggestions but just don't have a spare button to remap.
You'd think that they would have bound the Today screen "Start" function to a press of the directional button as it doesn't do anything else when on the today screen(as it was on the Blue Angel), but maybe that's just too logical!

assigning START menu to a button doesn't work when u have tomtom running. The menu pops up and just disappears again. It works in most of other apps though.

Got it!!!!
Just discovered that holding down the left soft key for about 1 second(rather than just tapping it to open calendar) opens the Start menu.

This is the feature of Smartskey

But I don't have smartskey installed so this must be a default function

wilesd said:
But I don't have smartskey installed so this must be a default function
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried it here on my 2.24 ROM and it does not work. I press and hold for a second, also tried other varying lengths of time, and sure enough I always get the app the left soft button has been assigned.

Bizarre, works fine on mine - 2.21.4.1 Rom, 2.07 Radio UK XDA Mini S
Only apps I have installed are SPBBackup, Resco Explorer trial (expired) and TT5
Maybe a feature of the O2 UK Ext Rom?!?

Actually CLOSING programs using the HW-keys

With the Wizard I used VJOKButt with the IE-button so that I could close programs and dialogs without using the stylus.
The TyTN/Hermes has it's own OK button(s), and I was wondering if anyone knows a way these buttons can actually close (or be reconfigured to launch VJOKButt) programs?
I've already tried AE Button Plus but couldn't set a custom action for the OK button (allthough this might be because I didn't register the program)...
Any tips would be apreciated!

Moskus, if I ever get my computer working again,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=345461#345461
I may try to build such a feature in to VJOkButt, but I'd rather people be able to use their own button mappers. However, if AE Button plus doesn't do it, then I may try to build in this feature.
V

AEB Plus
Actually it does work, you just have to add it as a new button (menu | add button). I've got my OK hardware button mapped to ok/close for one press and close front application for a long press.
Steven

I certainly would love it if is was build in to VJOKButt, Vijay!
I guess I'll try AEButton again (for now). Didn't see that "Add button" feature.. :wink:
EDIT: The AEButton finds the hardware OK button, but the combination of VJOKButt and AEButton won't close the application, just minimize it. :?

With AE Button Plus 2.4.3 beta and upwards, you can capture and map the "ok" and "windows" buttons. Have set mine to close apps with 2 depresses of the "ok" button.

can it be done by tweaking some of the registry rather to instsall some of the 3rd party program?

Hmmm... I should have investigated some more. Now it works!

PQzII let's you map any button on the hermes (and universal) to anything you want...it is really great. It has an option to make the ok button a 'really close button' and much more.
http://www.nicque.com/PQz/PQzII.htm
You can find out a lot about it in this forum by searching for pqzII.

Hi All,
I'm trying AEBPlus and I tried to map the OK button the side to be "OK/Close" for one press and "Close active application" for two presses. however, the single press doesn't seem to work. Pressing it once no longer minimizes applications or funciton as the OK/Close button. In fact it does nothing. I'm using a CHT9000 with the Dopod English Rom. Anyone know how to fix this? Thanks!

Moskus said:
Any tips would be apreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how about good old smartskey? it works in my Hermes, press&hold right softkey removes active window from memory.

Aye, but until it supports OK button it's less intuitive. The newest version support the OK button on the Prophet but this operates the PIE button on the Hermes. I've PM'd Water about it but no response

OK buttons NOT mappable under WM5..not through menus anyway!
bydandie said:
Aye, but until it supports OK button it's less intuitive. The newest version support the OK button on the Prophet but this operates the PIE button on the Hermes. I've PM'd Water about it but no response
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. On my HTC Prophet using Wisbar Advanced 2, I am able to map the 'OK' button to 'Close/OK' option of the Wisbar application, which did close all my programs etc. On my VarioII the 'OK' buttons are not mappable. Bummer!!

Try PQZII for me is fantastic, not only to close programs, you can map everithing...

How d'u use it this PQZII? Help!!
MAKBET said:
Try PQZII for me is fantastic, not only to close programs, you can map everithing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive my stupidity, but I'm currently using it, but haven't a clue how to get it to that for sure. It seems to work for some applications, but not for others. Any tips or guides for dummies like me :lol:

I'll join the dummies club too!

PQzII would be perfect if we could attach key presses of the same key to different apps like in AE button plus.
unfortunately, once PQzII captures the button, it overides AE button plus, meaning the 2 can't work together on the same button.
also found out that AE button plus 2.5 doesn't capture the windows button at all. Investigated back and found that only 2.4.3 beta did.

I dont know AEbutton so I dont understand why you want use both the programs. (note: also PQZ dose not configure well the win button) but you can configure any other button, eg: alt+left to close program (I put alt in internet button so if I want to close a program I press "internet program" and "left".

I've mapped my 'Button 5' (under settings/Buttons...) to 'Close/ok' of the Wisbar Advanced settings, which does close everything. Just until, as bydandie said, a more intuitive method can be achieved by using the 'ok' button.

in PQZII there is an option to make ok button to close, I dont use that option because I want to have some programs running down, you can try

MAKBET said:
in PQZII there is an option to make ok button to close, I dont use that option because I want to have some programs running down, you can try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do that MAKBET? Please share. Details please. :wink:

Mapping to OK and Win buttons

Noting that neither AEBPlus or DoubleLauncher seem able to access the OK and Win buttons, are there any other methods to assign an action to double or other states of these buttons? For example, it would be great if I could assign "close/kill" to a double OK click, or launch Resco Explorer with a double Win button click. Right now, only the Browser and Comm Manager buttons seem to be assignable, and press/hold for the Browser seems fixed to VueFlo. With AEBPlus, press/hold for the Comm Manager button shows up separately but can be assigned. I got really used to quick launch on my Wizard. I am finding iLauncher to be an OK sub in some measure, given that lots of icons can show on the VGA screen, but miss a quick double-tap to launch a frequently-used program...

yes same for me, if somebody have a way to map these keys ...

Why hasn't this ***hole been banned from the forum yet? Its been 27 posts of spam so far.

I've banned him and removed his messages. This my leave a "hole" where they used to be, so FYI to anyone else - ladysovereigna has been permanently banned for spamming.
V

bebox said:
yes same for me, if somebody have a way to map these keys ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Back to topic... anyone have an idea??

I think it can be done, bit I've never had an Athena to test it on. Will give it a go one day. Will have to get a rom dump and see how things have changed on the newer hardware.
Have you tried all the usual suspects, ie AE Button Plus?
V

vijay555 said:
I think it can be done, bit I've never had an Athena to test it on. Will give it a go one day. Will have to get a rom dump and see how things have changed on the newer hardware.
Have you tried all the usual suspects, ie AE Button Plus?
V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck with AE Button Plus...

I haven't tried the Win-button, but I've mapped the Ok button to ViJayOKButt (much better ) using AEButton Plus.

Moskus said:
I haven't tried the Win-button, but I've mapped the Ok button to ViJayOKButt (much better ) using AEButton Plus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How were you able to do that? I don't see that button.
The Win-button can be displayed as an option (via Add Buttons menu). However, the new assignments don't seem to work.

The new assignment works. I select File -> Add Button, and click the OK-button. The code "4075" shows up, and I click the "Add Button" button p).

From my experience you can map the 'OK' button but mapping on this hardware key seems to be limited and no mapping to the 'Windows' key.
IRC the developers of AEbutton informed me that MS have reserved those buttons strictly for O/S use and that AE hadn't found a way around it yet...that was over a year ago, but it seems they have made no real progress in this area except for a little with the 'OK' button.
I believe Vijay is right though...it can be done...just takes someone really dedicated to finding the solution.
Bear in mind though that most PPC's have more buttons than the Athena...hence the reason why AE haven't 'possibly' done their best to resolve this, or maybe it causes to many problems..who knows?

I've done it before on other devices, some time back, but will have to investigate Athena at some point. Can anyone point me at a freely available rom file for it? I've never even seen the hardware..
pauvre V

Moskus said:
The new assignment works. I select File -> Add Button, and click the OK-button. The code "4075" shows up, and I click the "Add Button" button p).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this, and "OK" did not show as an option. But one of the other buttons I added ended up with code 4075, and this now works. There is also an option for "Win" button but that doesn't work at all.

i have both of mine binded using ae button plus
what you do is instead of trying to select the button you hit add button and push the button you would like to bind

vijay555 said:
I've done it before on other devices, some time back, but will have to investigate Athena at some point. Can anyone point me at a freely available rom file for it? I've never even seen the hardware..
pauvre V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Vijay.
Fellow member Antivirus has some good internal photos of the hardware and I think some other good info on the Ameo try this link. Antivirus.

lol, thanks mackaby007, but I don't need to see inside the device itself, just its rom. Although I would need to test on the device itself.
Anyway, just theoretical for now, need to see a rom.
V

boinger66 said:
i have both of mine binded using ae button plus
what you do is instead of trying to select the button you hit add button and push the button you would like to bind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that's why I got such unpredictable results.. depended what I hit next. Hope this wasn't in the manual or user guide! I'd feel s-o-o-o foolish. Ha.

wgary said:
So that's why I got such unpredictable results.. depended what I hit next. Hope this wasn't in the manual or user guide! I'd feel s-o-o-o foolish. Ha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually if u look in the ae button screen when u try to add a button it does say push the button u would like to bind I also got 4075 and for the win key its 405B
I have mine binded and working

Remap Start button

My Atom Life has a Windows/Start button that by default points to the start menu. I, however, do not use the start menu that much. As a result, I tried to use AE Button to change the start button to no avail. Detail as below:
When I use AE button to add button the first time, it shows 00FC. If I map anything to this code, it runs well but the start menu also pops up.
When I use AE button add button the second time (still pressing the start button), it shows 405B. Mapping anything to this button (like task, note, etc.) works perfectly, except that the other buttons mapped by AE button does not work (damn).
I tried almost every combination of binding/unbinding but to no avail.
Is there a way to do it? I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks a ton.

I got it
I tried the only thing I have not tried. I used AE Button Plus in addition to Vito Buttonmapper 4.0
1. Bind 00FC to another function (e.g. Ok/close)
2. Unbind 405B
3. Use Vito Buttonmapper to remap other keys.
Is there another way? Cuz both these things are kinda expansive.

testdasi said:
I tried the only thing I have not tried. I used AE Button Plus in addition to Vito Buttonmapper 4.0
1. Bind 00FC to another function (e.g. Ok/close)
2. Unbind 405B
3. Use Vito Buttonmapper to remap other keys.
Is there another way? Cuz both these things are kinda expansive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try PQzII, is free. it's intended for keyboard type devices but also work on non-keyboard type machine. I recently helped a friend to install it on his Atom Exec. Now, he use the win button to launch task manager (from PQzII) & the mail button for ok/close.
http://www.nicque.com/PQz/PQzII.htm

I tried but did not work Cannot find the start button in the list. Thanks anyway. At least you tried to help.

testdasi said:
I tried but did not work Cannot find the start button in the list. Thanks anyway. At least you tried to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you mean the button with the window logo that bring up the start menu? If yes, that would be "WIN" under the code list.

deadeyed said:
do you mean the button with the window logo that bring up the start menu? If yes, that would be "WIN" under the code list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this tool should be mandatory in all ROMs omg.

How to assign a hardkey to HTC Quick Menu (Task Manager)?

I like HTC Task Manager's feature, that enables the Quick Menu when pressing the X-button. But I would like to acces the Quick Menu with a hardkey.
Does anybody know how that can be done?

Give SPB Pocket Plus a try.

tyguy said:
Give SPB Pocket Plus a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, SPB Pocket Plus has the taskmanager like the Quick Menu. But the reason why I like the one from HTC - is because it is finger friendly.
I have tried the Touch Commander Suite - it has a great task manager (quick menu). But it is not that consistent in its performance - and it keeps closing down - and the only way to get it back is with soft reset. :-(

I thought he meant how to assign a hardware button ... use the button feature from Pocket Plus was my suggestion NOT the task mgr.

actually just coming in my head... do you mean HTC Action Screen. This works perfect with Pocket plus (I have it on long press PTT on my AT&T Tilt).

tyguy said:
actually just coming in my head... do you mean HTC Action Screen. This works perfect with Pocket plus (I have it on long press PTT on my AT&T Tilt).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I mean the Quick Menu that you can see on the attachment.

Yes, I'm thinking about this too considering that HTC Task Manager is only available on the Today Screen. It would be nice to be able to access it while in other applications. So, I guess a hardware key mapping is the best solution. Anybody?

Pocket Plus has an "Alt-Tab" function which can be mapped to a hardware key. It'll open a window and either with the stylus or scroll wheel you select the task, press OK (or press the scroll wheel) and you are there.

PPCBANDIT said:
No, I mean the Quick Menu that you can see on the attachment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you only want to access that from today screen, HButton does a good job for that. I add the "OK/Close" function to one of the HButtons, and assign that to the "OK" button in the settings->buttons. This way I can use the "OK" button to close most of the running programs, and while in today screen, one hit on the "OK" button will bring up the list of programs in the picture you attached.

tyguy said:
Pocket Plus has an "Alt-Tab" function which can be mapped to a hardware key. It'll open a window and either with the stylus or scroll wheel you select the task, press OK (or press the scroll wheel) and you are there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem with the Alt-Tab function is, that you are not able to close one (or all) of the programs - like you can with the Quick menu

wearefree said:
If you only want to access that from today screen, HButton does a good job for that. I add the "OK/Close" function to one of the HButtons, and assign that to the "OK" button in the settings->buttons. This way I can use the "OK" button to close most of the running programs, and while in today screen, one hit on the "OK" button will bring up the list of programs in the picture you attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please explain. When I go under settings->buttons, I can only ad the "ok/close" function. Are you saying, that you also have an "ok" function, and when you map the ok function to a hardkey, then you have the list of the programs pop up on the today screen??

PPCBANDIT said:
Please explain. When I go under settings->buttons, I can only ad the "ok/close" function. Are you saying, that you also have an "ok" function, and when you map the ok function to a hardkey, then you have the list of the programs pop up on the today screen??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to install HButton.

I use Handy Menu, not free though. 4.99 I think. It also gives you some other functions, and it is configurable. I have it mapped to long press camera button.

Quick Menu 2.7 does exactly that. All you have to do is tap the start menu. a list of programs running and an X to kill them.
Much quicker than looking for a way to edit taksmanager/Xbutton3(?)
Highly recomend it. I don't use anything else.
Also, you can cook it too:
Install the app; set up your options; export the registries; make a package from the cab (for dsm/rgu ); copy the contents of the reg export to the rgu using text editor. Package complete! now you can cook it and have your options be like you need them.... and there are so many!

PPCBANDIT said:
I like HTC Task Manager's feature, that enables the Quick Menu when pressing the X-button. But I would like to acces the Quick Menu with a hardkey.
Does anybody know how that can be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found the solution already? i would also like the htc task popup into a HW button

rocho said:
found the solution already? i would also like the htc task popup into a HW button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, thanks wearefree for the tip. Use HButton, its OK/Close button handling is different from OS, so it makes exactly what we need. I mapped HW button 2 on my Wizard to HButton and it simulates OK/Close. When any app is in front it minimizes it and when I'm on today it shows HTC Quick Menu.