MouseKeys and StickyKeys functionality in DirectX

[Ron White - 288364]

I'm a physically challenged quadriplegic and require MS's StickyKeys and MouseKeys to navigate through programs and games. I haven't had any problems using these features until the advent of DirectX 9.0c. Lately most gaming programs coming out such as Myst 4, Tribes Vengeance, Syberia and more are writing code requiring DirectInput which circumvents StickyKeys and MouseKeys which leaves me unable to play these newer games. Is MS aware of this and if so, are they implementing any fixes to allow accessibility features to function in this DirectInput environment?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You might have better luck with this on the windowsxp.games newsgroup.

That said, given the problem seems to relate to DirectX 9.0c, my first
suspicion would be the need to updated graphics and soundcard drivers as
they interact directly with Direct X. Check the card manufacturer's
websites.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

I'm a physically challenged quadriplegic and require MS's StickyKeys and
MouseKeys to navigate through programs and games. I haven't had any
problems using these features until the advent of DirectX 9.0c. Lately most
gaming programs coming out such as Myst 4, Tribes Vengeance, Syberia and
more are writing code requiring DirectInput which circumvents StickyKeys and
MouseKeys which leaves me unable to play these newer games. Is MS aware of
this and if so, are they implementing any fixes to allow accessibility
features to function in this DirectInput environment?

 

[Ron White]

Thanks Michael,

I posted here first since this is the WinXP Accessibility NG and thought
that someone using Accessibility features (StickyKeys and MouseKeys) may
have encountered a similar problem.
I did crosspost to the DirectX DirectInput NG to see if anything pops up
there. The problem is related directly to the DirectInput function which
enables keyboards, mice, joysticks, gamepads, etc. I'll try the Games group
also, thanks for the suggestion.

BTW, my NVIDIA GeForce 2 Ultra has the latest WHQL signed driver installed,
v66.77. And my Audigy2 SC has the latest driver as well.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You're welcome.

In addition to the other suggestions, if none of what I've suggested or
others suggest work, if you have access to a Non-nVidia card, an ATI card
for example, you might try swapping the cards with the latest drivers for
that card and see if it resolves the issue. nVidia cards have been
notoriously troublesome as long as XP has been in release.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

Thanks Michael,

I posted here first since this is the WinXP Accessibility NG and thought
that someone using Accessibility features (StickyKeys and MouseKeys) may
have encountered a similar problem.
I did crosspost to the DirectX DirectInput NG to see if anything pops up
there. The problem is related directly to the DirectInput function which
enables keyboards, mice, joysticks, gamepads, etc. I'll try the Games
group also, thanks for the suggestion.

BTW, my NVIDIA GeForce 2 Ultra has the latest WHQL signed driver
installed, v66.77. And my Audigy2 SC has the latest driver as well.

 

[Ron White]

Can't be any of my system cards or drivers, I found that a standard mouse
works but MouseKeys does not. DirectInput does not allow MouseKeys and
StickyKeys functionality. Seems to be MS's DirectX code causing the problem
here.

--
Ron White
(e-mail address removed)

You're welcome.

In addition to the other suggestions, if none of what I've suggested or
others suggest work, if you have access to a Non-nVidia card, an ATI card
for example, you might try swapping the cards with the latest drivers for
that card and see if it resolves the issue. nVidia cards have been
notoriously troublesome as long as XP has been in release.

 

[Sharon F]

Can't be any of my system cards or drivers, I found that a standard mouse
works but MouseKeys does not. DirectInput does not allow MouseKeys and
StickyKeys functionality. Seems to be MS's DirectX code causing the problem
here.

Ron, some games utilize keyboard shortcuts and have independent settings
within the game to control them. Have seen many posts in the
windowsxp.games newsgroup asking how to eliminate things like Sticky Keys
since that shortcut and a keyboard shortcut in a game will often trounce on
each other.

Not familiar with the games that you've mentioned but perhaps you could
check out that angle with their tech support (how to manage keyboard
shortcuts within the game's settings).

 

[Ron White]

Thanks for your suggestion Sharon,

I've searched the windowsxp.games NG back to 9/8/2004 which is as far as OE
gets me to but I found no refences there regarding keyhboard shortcuts,
stickykeys, mousekeys nor Myst. I did post a message to the
windowsxp.directx.misc NG which seems to be the most active. I'll check back
tomorrow.

I'm particularly interested in getting Myst 4: Revelation running. There are
no keyboard shortcuts involved, it's a totally mouse driven game which works
fine when I have someone use a standard PS2 mouse. I did write a bug report
to Ubisoft about this and I was told that DirectInput trounces StickyKeys
and Mousekeys. They are rewriting a portion of their code to enable moving
about by keyboard shortcuts but they said that I would need assistance
playing most of the puzzles since they require mouse drag and click
functionality.

Sorry if I sound frustrated here but I thought that this NG handles
WindowsXP Accessibilty Features but from the posts I see here none are
mentioned. Please let me know which NG handles Accessibilty Features.

Thanks,

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks for your suggestion Sharon,

I've searched the windowsxp.games NG back to 9/8/2004 which is as far as OE
gets me to but I found no refences there regarding keyhboard shortcuts,
stickykeys, mousekeys nor Myst. I did post a message to the
windowsxp.directx.misc NG which seems to be the most active. I'll check back
tomorrow.

I'm particularly interested in getting Myst 4: Revelation running. There are
no keyboard shortcuts involved, it's a totally mouse driven game which works
fine when I have someone use a standard PS2 mouse. I did write a bug report
to Ubisoft about this and I was told that DirectInput trounces StickyKeys
and Mousekeys. They are rewriting a portion of their code to enable moving
about by keyboard shortcuts but they said that I would need assistance
playing most of the puzzles since they require mouse drag and click
functionality.

Sorry if I sound frustrated here but I thought that this NG handles
WindowsXP Accessibilty Features but from the posts I see here none are
mentioned. Please let me know which NG handles Accessibilty Features.

You're in the right newsgroup, Ron, for Accessibility features.
Unfortunately, there isn't much to suggest for this. The only suggestions I
have are:

1) If using keyboard software, disable it. Use just the keyboard driver.
This will eliminate the possibility of the keyboard software interfering
with keyboard input. It still leaves you with the game, display drivers and
accessibility features warring for control but eliminates one possible
source of trouble:

Hot Keys Do Not Function as Expected
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;232427

2) Contact Microsoft tech support directly. There is not much in the MS
Knowledge Base about problems with StickyKeys so this may be an issue that
needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

[Ron White]

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for your efforts to solve my problem, I appreciate it.

1) If using keyboard software, disable it. Use just the keyboard driver.
This will eliminate the possibility of the keyboard software interfering
with keyboard input. It still leaves you with the game, display drivers
and
accessibility features warring for control but eliminates one possible
source of trouble:

I have no keyboard software running, it's a standard PS2 keyboard.

Hot Keys Do Not Function as Expected
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;232427

This KB article seems to refer to the MS IntelliType software for MS
keyboard enhancement. Again, I'm using a standard PS2 keyboard.

2) Contact Microsoft tech support directly. There is not much in the MS
Knowledge Base about problems with StickyKeys so this may be an issue that
needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

This is the best suggestion so far Off to buzz MS and ring a few bells at
Support site.

Thanks Sharon