Keyboard Scan Code 6Dh Starts Windows Media Player (274333)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q274333
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

SYMPTOMS

When you use Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and you configure your keyboard to send a 6Dh scan code when you press one of the keys, Microsoft Windows Media Player may start.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs the Windows Me keyboard driver (Vkd.vxd) contains support for the special scan codes that are produced by both the Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro and Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro keyboards.

The E0 6Dh scan code sequence is defined as the Media key on both the Internet Keyboard Pro and Natural Keyboard Pro keyboards. However, when Windows Me processes these scan codes to generate the virtual key codes that perform defined actions, the E0h prefix is ignored. When this behavior occurs, a 6Dh scan code is treated the same as a E0 6Dh scan code.

MORE INFORMATION

The following virtual key codes are recognized by the Windows Me keyboard driver as generated by the shortcut keys on both the Internet Keyboard Pro and Natural Keyboard Pro keyboards.
Virtual keyDescription
10hPrevious Track (Media)
19hNext Track (Media)
20hMute (Media)
21hCalculator
22hPlay/Pause (Media)
24hStop (Media)
2EhVolume -
30hVolume +
32hWeb/Home (Internet)
5FhSleep
65hSearch (Internet)
66hFavorites (Internet)
67hRefresh (Internet)
68hStop (Internet)
69hForward (Internet)
6AhBack (Internet)
6BhMy Computer
6ChMail
6DhMedia
To view the scan codes that generate these virtual key codes, view the "Table 2. PS/2 Scan Codes Supported in Windows 2000 and Windows Me" section in the Support for Enhanced Keyboard Features under Windows 2000 and Windows Me document on the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hwdev/tech/input/w2kbd.mspx

NOTE: In the "Table 2. PS/2 Scan Codes Supported in Windows 2000 and Windows Me" section, the scan codes are listed with the E0h prefix.

The Microsoft Keyboard Scan Code Specification document contains the following comments about the E0h scan code prefix:

Prefixed Scan Codes

Some keys on standard 101/102-key keyboards (and the Microsoft Natural keyboard amongst others) emit a sequence of two bytes, where the 1st byte is either 0xE0 or 0xE1. This method is used primarily to distinguish between left and right versions of the same key, e.g., Left Alt is 0x38 while Right Alt is 0xE0 0x38. The 0xE0 prefix is indicated as the "extended bit" (bit 24) in the lParam of messages such as WM_KEYDOWN. The 0xE1 prefix is much rarer, but operates similarly to the 0xE0 prefix. Its presence or absence is not indicated through the API in any way.

You can download the Keyboard Scan Code Specification document from the following Microsoft Web location:

http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/download/desinit/scancode.zip

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbHardware kbprb KB274333
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