Keyboard Rebinding?

[boxer]

(Sorry if this is a repost, couldn't find anything using the search function.)

Hey, Id love to get an X-Keys Pro, but I don't feel like dropping $170, and I'm looking for an alternative.

I'm using 1 computer ATM, and was wondering if there is a way for me to hook up a 2nd keyboard and rebind all the keys to different commands, like I would with an X-Keys device. I'm not sure if you can even rebind a keyboard, much less rebind 1 and keep another the same as it originally was.

If theres a way to do this, please, let me know, or if there are just any cheaper alternatives for X-Keys, that would be good to know too.

[boxer]

/bump

Xzin, I would love to hear from you, since you seem to be the authority on hardware.

[Eteocles]

I think it's possible...I'm not 100% sure how but I know Bongos2 bar mod allows you to set hotkeys similar to how you're talking about doing; I've clicked on it a few times trying to fix my bongos2 setups post-patch but I don't actually use it so I can't offer you more than that lol

[boxer]

I'm not sure thats what I'm really looking for.

I'm trying to find a non-wow program that allows me to rebind the keystrokes to stuff (like áéíóú etc) on the regular A-Z keys on my secondary keyboard, so I basically have an X-Keys sitting next to my primary keyboard.

[Ryan]

I'm not sure how possible this is. Aside from the basic trouble of remapping, how is your computer to tell the signal from one keyboard from the other? But I'll let the more technically minded handle that part.

My solution for the "I'm too cheap to buy an X-Keys (despite my ridiculously expensive computer and nearly 40 bucks on month on WoW) problem" was to get a USB Numberpad. They make them mostly for laptops. It's simply a stand alone numberpad. Which is nice for keybindings since numpad numbers are counted as different strokes than the top row numbers that most people already have spells bound to. It's not programmable in any way, so you'll have to work your keybindings to match the lay out, but it is a handy extra bunch of buttons. Maybe less useful if you're already using a keyboard, but if you are using a gamepad (like my Nostromo) then it's pretty handy.

But make sure to check the cable size. Since they're mostly made for laptops the cheap one I bought (which is pretty nice actually) only has like 2 feet of cord. So I had to rewire my desk a little and just moved my USB hub up a lot closer to where my keyboard tray is.

[Djarid]

Just searched on google and it doesn't look like it is a simple or cheap solution to your requirement.

[Wilbur]

Find a PS2 Matrix board and a set of key switches and you are good to go.

[gylu]

With some work you can do just about anything. You may want to look at this link if you are using windows


You may be able to get a POS keyboard off of e-bay and write drivers for it(that is the work part) or replace the board in a old keyboard.

[maqz]

I'm not sure how possible this is. Aside from the basic trouble of remapping, how is your computer to tell the signal from one keyboard from the other? But I'll let the more technically minded handle that part.

My solution for the "I'm too cheap to buy an X-Keys (despite my ridiculously expensive computer and nearly 40 bucks on month on WoW) problem" was to get a USB Numberpad. They make them mostly for laptops. It's simply a stand alone numberpad. Which is nice for keybindings since numpad numbers are counted as different strokes than the top row numbers that most people already have spells bound to. It's not programmable in any way, so you'll have to work your keybindings to match the lay out, but it is a handy extra bunch of buttons. Maybe less useful if you're already using a keyboard, but if you are using a gamepad (like my Nostromo) then it's pretty handy.

Mapping two keyboards to different keys is not trivial. A program like msklc only translates (scancode to keycode, or is it the other way around?). Both keyboards send the same scancodes, so you can't remap one and leave the other as it was. You could tape down all modifiers on one keyboard though.

I also have a usb numpad that I try to use. But modifiers doesn't work with those buttons, and the fact that it's never in exactly the same place (have to look down to press a button) makes it difficult to use. Although I guess an X-keys would also be hard to reach.