windows - How mouse button re-mappings work?
2014-07
RJSmith92
I installed my new mouse (Anker 2000 DPI Wireless) and then the driver which installs a program named '5-button mouse' that allows me to remap what each button does, standard stuff and everything works fine.
But it got me wondering where are the settings for what each button does stored? I presumed the registry but was unable to find anything and after looking online they don't seem to be stored there.
Looking at the mouse in device manager and it is using the generic mouclass.sys and mouhid.sys drivers that come with Windows so I'm just wondering how these drivers know what I want each button to do?
For example if I change one of the side buttons to cut rather than copy, where are these settings stored and how do the drivers know where they are?
I know the whole driver stack is very complicated but I would appreciate if someone could just give a basic overview of the process.
Thanks.
smc
I am not familiar with this particular software, however similar one from Logitech, stores mouse button mappings in *.xml files in its ApplicationData directory. Try to check out the install directory of your software and ApplicationData and see if you can find anything there.
EdG
Unless you are using a piece of software, like you say you are, you can only swap the left and right buttons in Control Panel > Mouse. The software is more of a controller than a driver, and keeps the settings in the software, rather than messing with the registry.
MKaama
Process Monitor is your friend. Create a filter in it for your mouse software and see what files and what registry entries it accesses. You are only interested in the few seconds while the mouse program starts, then you can press CTRL+E to stop capturing events.
bearcdp
does anybody know how to get the Logitech MX518's DPI adjustment buttons to work with USB Overdrive?
I have a Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard, but recently I've been needing to use an external keyboard. When I'm making music, I've got a lot of hardware sitting between me and the screen (USB numpad, audio interface, 71 key korg keyboard, and possibly manuscript paper). I'm also using a second monitor and DejaMenu.
I'm using an old HP keyboard and a Logitech MX518 mouse. I'd like to be able to assign one of the DPI buttons on the MX518 to the key command that opens DejaMenu so if I'm fiddling around on the other screen I don't have to move the mouse to the other screen or touch the keyboard.
I've been using the trial version of SteerMouse, and it works perfectly with the mouse. However, I'd also like to be able to configure my keyboard as well. So USB Overdrive would have been great for that, except it can't override the DPI-adjustment functions of buttons 7 and 8 (+ and - ) on the mouse. Losing a couple of buttons isn't that bad, but it also always starts up on the lowest DPI setting, which is unnecessarily irritating.
Anybody have any luck with getting the MX518 to work with USB Overdrive, or can perhaps recommend another reasonably priced gaming mouse with 8 buttons and similar precision as the MX518 that they've successfully used with USB Overdrive?
I've also tried ControllerMate, but I wasn't able to program a macro that was reliable for activating the Application Switcher via a single button press.
I appreciate your help,
Michael
bearcdp
I was afraid to try this initially, but it seems that if you have both USB Overdrive and SteerMouse installed it won't break.
Just disable the "Any Mouse" setting in USB Overdrive so SteerMouse can take control.
I had SteerMouse installed first, then added USB Overdrive. USB Overdrive then superseded SteerMouse except for mouse handling, which is what I needed.
It is out there
If you search well, you can find software that let you use your logitech mx518 under macosx. (In fact, all logitech mouses). Try this link:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/drivers/logitechcontrolcenter.html