Question: Remapping F8 Mode Key

[technolph]

Hi,

I'm trying to remap the F8 special function (Special function of F8 is "Mode" on my Lenovo Thinkpad P1 Gen7). Normal behavior is when I press that button the System -> Power & Battery window opens, but I'd like to remap it to something else.

My settings are:

• Model: Newer
• F-key selection: F8

Not sure what I'm doing incorrectly? Thanks for any guidance/support.

[csavalas]

Hey there,

Yeah, let's see what we can do here! I have a P1 Gen 6, and I know it works for the Gen 4 and Gen 5 too. Haven't tried it on the Gen 7's yet, so we'll need to investigate a little bit. Out of curiosity, is F8 the only key that doesn't work or is it all of them? Either way, check out my post here for instructions on how to get me the info I would need to get it working on your machine:

#1 (comment)

[technolph]

Thanks for the reply! Ok, I think this is helping to diagnose the issue. I downloaded process monitor and only a handfull of my F keys are showing up when I press them:

F12: Ex_90
F11: the phone link app launches (nothing shows up in process monitor)
F10: Ex_91
F09: print screen (nothing shows up in process monitor)
F08: the power and battery system settings page opens (nothing shows up in process monitor)
F07: 7
F6: Ex_0F
F5: Ex_10
F4: EX_1A
F3: the volume increases (nothing shows up in process monitor)
F2: the volume decreases (nothing shows up in process monitor)
F1: the volume is muted (nothing shows up in process monitor)

Apologies in advance -- I'm a long time Mac user so I'm less familiar with Windows, but happy to provide as much info/details to get this diagnosed.

[csavalas]

Hey there,

Hmmmm... I suppose it's possible that Lenovo changed things up a bit with the Gen 7, though that would be unfortunate. Are absolutely, 100% positive that nothing showed up for those keys? If you are, then we're venturing into uncharted territory!

[technolph]

Unfortunately nothing does seem to be popping up. I even tried by running this Python script and the keys that I didn't get hex codes for didn't register when I was running the Python code:

import keyboard

def print_hex(e):
    hex_value = hex(e.scan_code)
    print(f'Key: {e.name}, Hex Value: {hex_value}')

# Listen for keypresses
keyboard.hook(print_hex)

# Keep the program running
keyboard.wait()

[csavalas]

Regarding your Python script, yeah, that's actually the whole reason why I had to make the program in the first place, because Windows cannot pick up the keystrokes directly, rather, the Lenovo driver mediates them with shtctky.exe. It's why Autohotkey or Powertoys don't work, for example.

So, clearly something is working slightly differently on the Gen 7's. What's strange though, is that it actually uses the exact driver (and version of the driver) as my Gen6; I just checked for you: Lenovo Base Utility.

I wish I had a Gen 7 to mess around with directly, but I could help you figure it out on your end, then integrate the findings into the utility to help other people with Gen 7's. If you are down, I think a good first step would be to broaden the filters in process monitor to include these executables from within the Lenovo driver package, and see if anything interesting comes up:

C:\DRIVERS\HOTKEY\20242710.11123074\driver>dir *.exe
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 6202-A493

Directory of C:\DRIVERS\HOTKEY\20242710.11123074\driver

08/15/2024  05:23 PM           183,776 ACButton.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           162,272 errmsg.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           113,632 fnf3.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           114,144 fnf6.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           116,600 FnHotkeyWidget.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           242,144 hlp8.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           355,704 shtctky.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           170,976 toast.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           256,480 tphkload.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM           265,584 tpnumlkd.exe
08/15/2024  05:23 PM         1,020,792 tposd.exe

[technolph]

Hey @csavalas -- apologies for my delayed response.

Ok, I added those processes to Process Monitor. Some of the keys trigger a lot of output, so I've attached log files for them. The shorter ones I've included here.

Columns for the below output:

Time of Day; Process Name; PID; Operation; Path; Result; Detail; Event Class; Sequence

When I press F9:

5:57:20.3586172 AM	SHTCTKY.EXE	8668	Thread Create		SUCCESS	Thread ID: 15148	Process	9
5:57:20.3622320 AM	SHTCTKY.EXE	8668	Thread Create		SUCCESS	Thread ID: 29428	Process	10
5:57:21.1907034 AM	TPHKLOAD.exe	6180	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.2031250 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.3437500 seconds, Private Bytes: 4,075,520, Working Set: 10,825,728	Profiling	11
5:57:21.1909528 AM	TPOSD.EXE	2568	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.0312500 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.0468750 seconds, Private Bytes: 2,416,640, Working Set: 9,289,728	Profiling	12
5:57:21.1909539 AM	SHTCTKY.EXE	8668	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.0781250 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.6718750 seconds, Private Bytes: 3,260,416, Working Set: 12,722,176	Profiling	13
5:57:22.1922491 AM	TPHKLOAD.exe	6180	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.2031250 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.3437500 seconds, Private Bytes: 4,075,520, Working Set: 10,825,728	Profiling	14
5:57:22.1923150 AM	TPOSD.EXE	2568	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.0312500 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.0468750 seconds, Private Bytes: 2,416,640, Working Set: 9,289,728	Profiling	15
5:57:22.1923159 AM	SHTCTKY.EXE	8668	Process Profiling		SUCCESS	User Time: 0.0781250 seconds, Kernel Time: 0.6718750 seconds, Private Bytes: 3,260,416, Working Set: 12,722,176	Profiling	16
5:57:22.4397735 AM	TPOSD.EXE	2568	RegQueryKey	HKLM	SUCCESS	Query: HandleTags, HandleTags: 0x0	Registry	17
5:57:22.4398052 AM	TPOSD.EXE	2568	RegOpenKey	HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SmartSense\Parameters\AutomaticKeyboardLight	REPARSE	Desired Access: Read	Registry	18
5:57:22.4398370 AM	TPOSD.EXE	2568	RegOpenKey	HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SmartSense\Parameters\AutomaticKeyboardLight	NAME NOT FOUND	Desired Access: Read	Registry	19

Let me know what else I can provide to help diagnose this. Thanks again!

Logfile F1.CSV
Logfile F2.CSV
Logfile F3.CSV
Logfile F8.CSV
Logfile F10.CSV
Logfile F11.CSV

[csavalas]

Hey again, two things:

1. Did you definitely add hlp8.exe to your filters before doing this experiment? I'm sure you probably did, just wanted to be sure.

2. Can you send me a backup of this key in your registry: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Lenovo

[technolph]

Yep, just confirmed that hlp8.ex was included.

Here's a backup of those registry keys:

Lenovo_backup.zip

[csavalas]

Ok, as a preliminary troubleshooting step, try deleting this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Lenovo\ShortcutKey\AppLaunch\3

The hope is that, after doing so, the power window will no longer open when pressing F8, let me know!