Probably OT: Reassigning MS Multimedia Natural board's calculator key

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I want to reassign this key to open the downloadable MS Calculator Plus,
rather than the bog-standard native calculator, as it's far more useful
(especially with currency rates - now I've figured out how to work it!). The
actual reassigning of the key is no problem but there's one small, but
nonetheless annoying, problem - every time I press the calculator button it
starts up a new instance, so I could end up with 50 instances open at one
time. This isn't, obviously, what I want, but I don't know how to change it.

If I assign the button to the native calculator, the first time runs the
calculator and subsequent presses brings up the same instance - so that I
have only one instance running. Is there a switch I could add to the end of
the Calculator Plus path so that, however many times I press the calculator
button, I never have more than one instance running?

Does that make sense?

Thanks.

 

[Mike Hall]

And this has 'what' to do with any problems when XP meets unknown or
intransigent hardware?.. have you lost your mind or misplaced your
dictionary?.. is visiting Pizza Hut and thinking up names for test tube
bacon bits while munching on a 'carpet' special with extra pepperoni finally
taking its toll?..

 

[yabbadoo]

If Calc+ (or whatever) is running, it's showing in the little bar at the
bottom of the desktop. To restore it to active window, just click on its
button in that bar.One click, problem solved (wish they were all that easy).
Same applies to all progs that are open but not currently visible/active.

The button will bring up a new instance on every button press, because the
code re-assignment is (verbosely) "open Calc+" with no conditions. It would
be rather OTT, but if you can access the keyboard button code, you could
amend it to check first that Calc+ wasn't already open, and, if it was, to
restore it. That requires some rather cute coding. However, the code must
already exist.

"Calc" (MS native) - you say that the existing button provides but one
instance, and restores it to active, if hidden. Interesting, because it IS
possible to manually run multiple instances (Start /Run/Calc, repeated,
gives 2). Therefore, the original code for "Calc" keyboard button already
does the "check and restore" described above. If you were to edit this code
(rather than reassign the button) to point to Calc+.exe instead of Calc) you
would acheive your objective.

Advice is given in good faith. I trust that my English grammar, spelling and
punctuation meets or surpasses your exacting standards, and that the advice
is relevant. I don't need to be bitten by a tick, perspicacious or
otherwise!

Sincerely., Len.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

If Calc+ (or whatever) is running, it's showing in the little bar at
the bottom of the desktop. To restore it to active window, just click
on its button in that bar.One click, problem solved (wish they were
all that easy). Same applies to all progs that are open but not
currently visible/active.
The button will bring up a new instance on every button press,
because the code re-assignment is (verbosely) "open Calc+" with no
conditions. It would be rather OTT, but if you can access the
keyboard button code, you could amend it to check first that Calc+
wasn't already open, and, if it was, to restore it. That requires
some rather cute coding. However, the code must already exist.

"Calc" (MS native) - you say that the existing button provides but one
instance, and restores it to active, if hidden. Interesting, because
it IS possible to manually run multiple instances (Start /Run/Calc,
repeated, gives 2). Therefore, the original code for "Calc" keyboard
button already does the "check and restore" described above. If you
were to edit this code (rather than reassign the button) to point to
Calc+.exe instead of Calc) you would acheive your objective.

Advice is given in good faith. I trust that my English grammar,
spelling and punctuation meets or surpasses your exacting standards,
and that the advice is relevant. I don't need to be bitten by a tick,
perspicacious or otherwise!

Sincerely., Len.

Thanks for the reply Len, I could reprogramme it if I could find the code,
but I'm not sure how to do this. The IntelliType applet just allows for a
system path entry, nothing more. I have no idea how to access the code. If I
enter the path to the native calc, then every keypress begins a new
instance, I was just hoping that there would be an easy solution but,
apparently not.

Thanks for the help

 

[yabbadoo]

Perspicacia, the code is within the keyboard driver. But, there's little
practical difference between pressing a keyboard button and one mouse-click,
so the first sentence of my previous post solves the posted problem (in
essence, how to restore original Calc+).
Or do you have an aversion to rodents, as opposed to arthropods?

Sincerely, Len.

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks for the reply Len, I could reprogramme it if I could find the code,
but I'm not sure how to do this. The IntelliType applet just allows for a
system path entry, nothing more. I have no idea how to access the code. If I
enter the path to the native calc, then every keypress begins a new
instance, I was just hoping that there would be an easy solution but,
apparently not.

Thanks for the help

Anything in the help file regarding switches? If documented, you'll know
what to do what to do with them from reading help (tack them onto the end
of the path statement).

 

[yabbadoo]

Hi Sharon - long time no hear! Don't have this keyboard myself, so didn't
consider its helpfile, but there again, Ms. Tick seems a savvy gal (if a
little ascerbic on occasion) so assume she'd go the "help" route first.
Good thought, though. Me, I like the simple things - mice...
My Logitech k/b is inundated with buttons all over, never used (most refer
to stuff I rarely if ever run). Nice k/b, though, and the batteries last
forever (14 months now on original set, still going strong).
Regards, Len.

 

[Sharon F]

Hi Sharon - long time no hear! Don't have this keyboard myself, so didn't
consider its helpfile, but there again, Ms. Tick seems a savvy gal (if a
little ascerbic on occasion) so assume she'd go the "help" route first.
Good thought, though. Me, I like the simple things - mice...
My Logitech k/b is inundated with buttons all over, never used (most refer
to stuff I rarely if ever run). Nice k/b, though, and the batteries last
forever (14 months now on original set, still going strong).
Regards, Len.

Hiya, Len. Good to see you too.

Actually I was thinking about the help file for calculator plus. Similar to
creating a shortcut like "mismn.exe /outnews" or "explorer.exe /e, c:" -
the calculator app may have a switch to force a single instance.

Have a gazillion buttons here too. I use calculator and volume and... well,
that's it.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Anything in the help file regarding switches? If documented, you'll
know what to do what to do with them from reading help (tack them
onto the end of the path statement).

Help file, for a MS product, Sharon? Surely you jest?! ;o)

 

[Sharon F]

Help file, for a MS product, Sharon? Surely you jest?! ;o)

Once in a blue moon you get lucky and find something useful in there. ;^)

 

[yabbadoo]

Now you got me curious! I've just searched the Microsoft site with
searchword Calculator - there's no match except for some credit card thingy.
Did a Google search - got a return for "Calc+" which is an Abbott Systems
product.

What's with this being a Microsoft product? Where is it? If it's anything
like the Abbott offering (printable string of entries/calculations) I'm
interested.
Len

 

[Sharon F]

Now you got me curious! I've just searched the Microsoft site with
searchword Calculator - there's no match except for some credit card thingy.
Did a Google search - got a return for "Calc+" which is an Abbott Systems
product.

What's with this being a Microsoft product? Where is it? If it's anything
like the Abbott offering (printable string of entries/calculations) I'm
interested.

I found it by going to www.microsoft.com and using the Search box on that
page. Link to the download page:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...59-b53a-4dc9-8265-da47f157c091&DisplayLang=en

 

[yabbadoo]

Thank you! Windows validated, downloaded.
Len

I found it by going to www.microsoft.com and using the Search box on that
page. Link to the download page:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...59-b53a-4dc9-8265-da47f157c091&DisplayLang=en