I just got a new Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo and it doesn't have a scroll lock key. I can see how useless a scroll lock key is, but to me it's kind of important. I have a D-Link KVM switch and to switch back and forth between computers I hit [scroll lock][scroll lock][PC#]. I can program extra function buttons on this keyboard to do various things (open web page, launch program, open file, open folder, show custom menu, and keystroke assignment. First I thought the keystroke assignment would let me do something neat like punch in scroll lock scroll lock and a number..apparently you can only do one or all at once like how you do a control alt delete for instance. Not to mention the fact that I don't have scroll lock to punch in. Here's what I thought I could do which would be probably a simple task even though I don't know much about writing programs, but I'm really good at following directions. I also understnad the concept of doing things like saving a document as a .htm(l) .php, etc. and clicking on type: all files. I've also went into some program files and opened with notepad and changed some settings...mainly working with SHOUTcast. OK, so I'm not a prorammer for Microsoft or any other company. However, I would imagine this would be a pretty simple program to write, especailly since it doesn't need to be encrypted or anything fancy like that. SHOUTcast uses open source and doesn't hide their codes (if that makes sense..I might have just said the same thing twice.) So I want to assing a key on the keyboard to open a program. The program should carry out these taks: 1.stroke scroll lock 2.stroke scroll lock 3.stroke 1 (copy program replace with 2 and rename and assign to different key) 4.close program automatically without confirmation. I suppose I should look at some program writing sites, I might find this is very easy to do, but I figured I'd come here first. All I basically need to know (or at least all I think I need to know) is how to carry out keystrokes in a (i would assume) .exe, and also the code to close the current program (maybe also a keystroke of alt and F4...I'm guessing you can just do this in notepad and save as a .exe? Will I need a program writing program or can I use notepad/wordpad? Also If I need to actually hit the scroll lock key rather than type scroll lock or some binary digits I can just hook up the other keyboard to write the program. (I did try to replace the keyboard while in the program to edit functions but upon inserting old keyboard windows wouldn't recognize the keyboard or mouse. Thank you so much for helping me out..I'm sure it's an easy one..I'll let you know if I figure it out before someone responds.

Off hand I'm going to say you may want to look into a macro program. There are many out there, some free, some not. If you are not familiar, a macro program basically lets you assign multiple actions to a single key. I use such programs in games a lot (for example i press "e" and the macro tells the computer "e 9 9 9" and makes my pilot eject from his plane AND open his parachute). I don't know how much support macro programs provide for your custom buttons, but there should be a way to map one of them to the function you want. You may also be able to change the button that the KVM looks for to switch computers. I don't know what model you have, but check the dlink support site. -Ryan Adams http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/

Hey Ryan...thanks for the help...I'll give it a try in a minute. I do know what a macro is, I've used them in Word a few times. Didn't even think to try something like that. Follow up: So I tried the switching the keyboard thing again and this time I was able to punch in scroll lock to the function a key (function + f9). Unfortunately when pressed my computer screen shows "scroll lock on" and "scroll lock off", BUT..when pressed twice quickly, my kvm won't beep, nor will it switch when pressing 1 or 2 afterwards. The KVM is D-Link DKVM-2K. I'll check their site and my manual to see if that gives me any more options. Also, I'm really new at this..so new I haven't even started, but when i said .exe, I guess it could also be a .vbs or a couple other things, I don't care what it is, I just want something that works. At a bare minimum just programming a scroll lock that works to a key, but it would be cool if i can get the whole sequence to be programmed into one program and have a button execute it.

The macro thing seemed like a good idea at first. However, when I tried it out (tried a couple) none of them would work..I was also trying it with the keyboard that actually has the scroll lock button. I even found one that lets you click buttons you want to add into the macro. That didn't work either. Half way through trying to set up a macro I realized I didn't want to use one anyway because it seems like the macro program must run in the background, also I don't like adding random programs to my other computer, I use it for recording and it's a beast of a machine, I never even surf the net on it except for updates to keep it bug free. Anywho..I still tried it and that didn't work, I found something called automation anywhere..It looked the most promising out of any of the ones I tried, but still failed. The D-Link manual says nothing other than [SCROLL LOCK][SCROLL LOCK] [PC#] or S to scan, ESC to stop scan, and M to reset moust and keyboard. I'm about to send them an e-mail and see if I can find an alternative. (pushing the button is not an option, especially since the box is thrown behind my desk because the computers are about 10 feet away.)

Alright, my dad gave me MS visual studio/basic/c++/...the works 6.0 from msdn...but he doesnt remember how to do anything...great use of a college education i guess. so i think i have what i need to make this program..well except the knowledge.

If you can figure out how to make a program great. I know a little C++, but i have no idea how to send simulated key presses to the operating system. -Ryan Adams http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/

This whole writing a program is seeming like a bad idea. HOpefully my dad could remember osmething to help me out but all I came up with was to create a standard .exe program in C++ then write in: sendKeys {SCROLLLOCK} {SCROLLLOCK} "1" lots of errors sendKeys {SCROLLLOCK} sendKeys{SCROLLLOCK} sendKeys "1" errors also tried putting "{}" also tried sendKeysWait I have no idea what I'm doing wrong...probably everything.