Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard

[mangoh]

I have a Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard. The keyboard has a backlight on the keys as it is made for gaming from what I believe.

However everytime I boot my computer the backlight stays on and I have to turn it off by pressing the backlight key 3 times (three times as the keyboard has different dimming settings, bright, less bright, even less bright )

Does anyone know how I can have the backlight turned off forever unless I press the button to activate it?

I assume there must be a setting in the registry telling the keyboard to light up upon boot up?

 

[kbrady1979]

If the backlight is OFF and you reboot, does it start out back on, or does it stay off?

 

[mangoh]

Hi thanks for your reply.

If I turn on my computer (including turning the plug on from the mains) - the backlight comes on
If I've already logged on once and I turn off the backlight by pressing the keyboard button and then I restart my computer the backlight remains off.

The keyboard backlight is only a problem when I first boot my computer after turning it on from the mains.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

you tried the mouse and keyboard center they offer? maybe it has some options for that.

 

[mangoh]

Yep unfortunately I have tried that but it only has options for assigning macros (the keyboard has keys named as S1,S2,S3,S4,S5 and S6). When pressing a key it can do certain things such as open Google Chrome.

Edit: Posted above message again as more help is still needed

 

[gregrocker]

Have you checked for newer Driver Update running all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)?

Next google for drivers, hotfixes or others who've had problems with the exact model.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Nobody has offered him to read the damn manual

 

[mangoh]

Have you checked for newer Driver Update running all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)?

Next google for drivers, hotfixes or others who've had problems with the exact model.

Hi thanks I have installed all the required drivers but still no success.

I tried Google before posting this thread and I have also tried again but couldn't find anyone else who has expressed a similar problem.

I guess I am asking how can I ensure that my keyboard doesn't light up when it boots? (registry for Sidewinder X4 keyboard)

 

[essenbe]

If it helps, this is the page to download software and manuals for your keyboard. Software Downloads: SideWinder X4 Keyboard

 

[mangoh]

Thanks but I already have this installed.

P.S. It's something that can surely be fixed in the registry, no driver or software will fix it as I have researched into it, only option I can think of is it may be fixed in the registry.

If you want I would be grateful if someone could:

• Suggest paths for me to look for in the registry

 

[carwiz]

The keyboard is powered by the USB port. At system boot, power is applied to all keyboard USB ports and any port not disabled in the BIOS. At this point, there is no Windows (Registry) or drivers loaded so the action of keyboard is universal. You still need a keyboard at boot so the USB port can not be disabled. Think of the light as a power on test. There's nothing you can do to change that function.

If it were a "smart" keyboard, it would have battery backup to hold the settings but that doesn't appear to be the case.

In short terms, your SOL.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Mangoh mate I have the x4 (and the x6) and I just flick the small button - with a light globe symbol on it (just above F12) three times, it dims dims and then out just like a toggle switch you can reverse that - woo hoo!!

The back lights stay off forever for reboot and cold boot etc etc . If you are wondering about the batteries


How-to: Keyboard Battery Lights | Microsoft Hardware

 

[mangoh]

Hello Mangoh mate I have the x4 (and the x6) and I just flick the small button - with a light globe symbol on it (just above F12) three times, it dims dims and then out just like a toggle switch you can reverse that - woo hoo!!

The back lights stay off forever for reboot and cold boot etc etc . If you are wondering about the batteries


How-to: Keyboard Battery Lights | Microsoft Hardware

Hi thanks I know about the little globe symbol that is what I use.

However if I turn off my computer via the mains and then turn it back on again the lights go on.

Is it not possible to disable the lights forever regardless if I turn off the computer via the mains. Rebooting ensures the lights remain off only if I don't press the off switch on the mains computer plug.

Edit:

Opened it up and then closed it again lol.

I suppose I could take the entire backlight out but I do like having it sometimes.

I guess the only solution is live with it and next time research into similar issues when I buy my next keyboard.

Thanks for your help you lot

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well I look at it like this mate three little taps when you turn on is about 50 milliseconds out of your life eh is it really worth the grief of pulling it out and then trying to get it back in? Me - nah!

The only thing I think you could try to do but it seems a lot of trouble to go to is install a push toggle switch into the board circuitry yourself but again three taps at boot?

Me I prefer the x6 as it is a nice KB with a swappable end pad for left and right, far better volume and pic quality comtrols and the keys are smoother and slightly larger than those clunky sharp edged things on the x4 but there again I am getting on in years Trouble is they are hard to find now - the keyboards not the keys LOL!!

 

[mangoh]

Well I look at it like this mate three little taps when you turn on is about 50 milliseconds out of your life eh is it really worth the grief of pulling it out and then trying to get it back in? Me - nah!

The only thing I think you could try to do but it seems a lot of trouble to go to is install a push toggle switch into the board circuitry yourself but again three taps at boot?

Me I prefer the x6 as it is a nice KB with a swappable end pad for left and right, far better volume and pic quality comtrols and the keys are smoother and slightly larger than those clunky sharp edged things on the x4 but there again I am getting on in years Trouble is they are hard to find now - the keyboards not the keys LOL!!

Thanks and the thing I hate about the X4 is the size of the keys Too small for my hands.

And I suppose I guess I will live with it

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum that is so right mate I don't like those chunky types like I said before the x6 has keys more like you get on laptops flat wide and smoothed off edges if you want to see them - Google

I don't know where you are so I can't advise you where to get one perhaps Ebay might do some

 

[mangoh]

Hum that is so right mate I don't like those chunky types like I said before the x6 has keys more like you get on laptops flat wide and smoothed off edges if you want to see them - Google

I don't know where you are so I can't advise you where to get one perhaps Ebay might do some

I ended up selling the keyboard that was my solution LOL.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum that is so right mate I don't like those chunky types like I said before the x6 has keys more like you get on laptops flat wide and smoothed off edges if you want to see them - Google

I don't know where you are so I can't advise you where to get one perhaps Ebay might do some

I ended up selling the keyboard that was my solution LOL.

No probs then maybe you can get your hands on a x6 as it has a control for the backlit next to the volume control. It just turns down and stays down just like you would turning down the volume to zero for the audio

 

[mangoh]

Hum that is so right mate I don't like those chunky types like I said before the x6 has keys more like you get on laptops flat wide and smoothed off edges if you want to see them - Google

I don't know where you are so I can't advise you where to get one perhaps Ebay might do some

I ended up selling the keyboard that was my solution LOL.

No probs then maybe you can get your hands on a x6 as it has a control for the backlit next to the volume control. It just turns down and stays down just like you would turning down the volume to zero for the audio

hmm I tried Amazon UK but says they have none in stock.

Can you confirm that the lights remain off even if you turn off your computer via mains and turn it back on?

Edit: I decided to go for this keyboard ---> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermaltake...yboard/dp/B004EHZCA8/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

what do you think?

 

[carwiz]

I'm curious why you turn off the power supply. If that's what you mean by mains. Or are you turning off the breakers in the fuse panel? When the PSU is turned off or unplugged, the standby line isn't supplied and the motherboard battery has to maintain CMOS memory. This shortens the life of the battery as well as the PSU. The PSU wasn't designed for repetitive power on/off use.