topic P1 & P2 function button problem in PCs & Accessories

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:31:03 GMT

Gentlemen,

I had this problem once before and the Forum helped solve for me - I apologise but cannot locate the solution then provided.

My problem is with the P1 and P2 function buttons on my laptop. The P1 button is programmed to Mute the volume and the P2 button is programmed to Hibernate the computer.

Although correctly set up via Control Panel>Sony Notebook Setup>PI & P2 tab, neither of the buttons are operable.

I seem to remember that I was shown how to correct this problem via a registry modification.

I suspect that some registry 'cleaner' has upset the setting but maybe wrong.

Very grateful if someone is able to help or remind what the solution was, thank you. (promise to not to mislay this time).

Regards,

gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:53:50 GMT

Hi Gyron,

Is this the thread you refer to?

https://www.sony-europe.com/discussions/message/413186#413186

Or this one?

https://www.sony-europe.com/discussions/message/502906#502906

Rich

Message was edited by: rich912

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:06:24 GMT

Hello Rich,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly, the the problem I now realise I have is a general problem with all 'Hotkeys' ie the P1 & P2 buttons (volume on/off and hibernate respectively), the F7 (external screen switching) & F5 (screen brightness) etc. More on this in a minute.

Your first link https://ww.sony-europe.com/discussions/messages/413186#413186 ulimately leads to a page written in spanish which I cannot convert into English, so I am not sure what this is.

Your second link is exactly the thread I was referring to, thank you. However, the solution provided there ie ensuring that both atiptaxx and Ati2mdxx in the startup sequence and activated, and also the Ati Hotkey Poller in the Services tab is set to 'on & automatic'.

So I am now lost! Apparantly, the previous solution you so very kindly provided does not seem to work this time.

Do you have any other suggestions please to get these wretched 'Hotkeys' working again?

Thank you,

gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:27:34 GMT

Hi Gyron,

It would seem that some of the Sony utilities need reinstalling. If you could remind us of your Vaio model and operating system we can point you in the right direction.

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:12:36 GMT

Hello Rich,

Laptop - Vaio PCG-Z1SP

Operating System - Windows XP Professional SP3

Yes, I take your point. I have the original Sony software CDs with, hopefully, all the original information on them.

I was wondering whether I needed to re-install the 'Sony Shared Library' & 'Sony Notebook Utilities' what do you think?

Also, can I simply 'overwrite' the files I already have on the system or are there any special precautions. I cannot afford to lose any work information on the laptop.

Very much obliged for continued help Rich, thanks.

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:09:01 GMT

Hi Gyron,

You are correct in your assumption that you need to re-install the 'Sony Shared Library' & 'Sony Notebook Utilities' - in that order. If you are unable to find these on your original disks they can be downloaded from here:

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/PCG-Z1SP/updates

Re-installing these utilities should have no affect whatsoever on any data on your notebook. That said it is always wise to keep a backup of personal data on a removable drive of some description in case of a hard drive failure...

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:50:23 GMT

Hello Rich,

Thanks for reply.

OK I have found the 'Shared Library' and 'Hotkey Utility on my original Sony Recovery discs, so that bit is OK.

However, although I can find the 'Hotkey Utility' in C drive>Program File>Sony on my laptop, I cannot find the Sony Shared library on my C Drive - where should it be so that I know where to copy the recovery disc files?

Thank you once again,

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:04:52 GMT

Hi Gyron,

Do not copy the files to any location – you need to install both by running (double click) ‘Setup.exe’ from within the relevant folder (i.e. Sonysharedlibrary and SnyUtils) from either your recovery disks or the Support download.

Are you sure you have a ‘Hotkey Utility’ as I thought your model has a SnyUtils folder.

If you are in any doubt about the correct folders then download the ‘pre-installed utilities’ from the link provided above as both of the required folders are clearly labelled within the provided Zip file.

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:35:26 GMT

Hello Rich,

OK, I will take your advice and download from the link you provided rather than the Sony discs I have.

Yes, there is definitely a 'Hotkey Utilities' file on the Utilities disc I have.

Please bear with me, I have a family funeral I have to attend today which will take up most of day, so it may be tomorrow I respond back with results of download.

Thanks again,

Regards,

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:57:48 GMT

Hi Gyron,

My apologies, your model does indeed have a Hotkey utility.

Forget downloading as the files will be the same as your recovery disk. Run the Setup.exe from within Sony Shared Library and Hotkey Utilities in that order.

If you still have problems then try running Setup.exe from within the Sony Utilities folder.

Good luck.

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:52:52 GMT

Hello Rich,

Sincere apologies for delayed reply to your last mail/recommendation.

I did what you suggested (running setup exe from within the Sony shared library and then the hotkey utilities in that order), and that has done the trick - the laptop auto reboots during the setup exe/shared library from the CD.

What I didn't tell you while you were trying to sort my laptop out (did not what to confuse the situation), is that my wife had exactly the same problem on her Vaio VGN-FE31H! Following the lead you provided via Internet link I eventually found that in her case the 'Event Service Utility' had been switched off! Switching it to Auto solved her problem.

I realise that it is not 'good form' to discuss third part software on the Forum but we do have two well third party software packages that might have caused the problem.

Thank you again Rich for your invaluable help which, as always, was much appreciated.

Regards,

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:49:05 GMT

ps. just out of interest, I have noticed that I don't have the 'Vaio Event Service Utility' present in my

'services.msc' list at all. Should I install/reinstall from my original discs if it is there?

Interesting what has, maybe, erased these files from my laptop.

regards,

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:27:39 GMT

Hi Gyron,

I’m pleased to hear that the problem is resolved:smileyhappy:

If you are using a utility such as TuneUp this is more than likely the culprit. I am aware that one ‘ex’ expert of this forum thought this program was the answer to everything but, in my opinion, it creates more problems than it solves. I recommend that you use the built-in Windows defrag utility and just occasionally a simple Registry checker such as Registry Mechanic.

I don’t think your model uses Vaio Event Service as it has the HotKey utility. If all is working as expected then just relax and enjoy.

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:44:54 GMT

Hello Rich,

Yes, you guessed correctly, the utility I was referring to was indeed TuneUp. Since upgrading to the 2012 version I seem to have had nothing but problems and I am afraid that their customer care is extremely poor and slow in my opinion. I guess I now either have to disable the utility or remove it from my hard drive!

I do use the built in Windows defrag and disc cleanup uilities and take your advice regarding Registry Mechanic.

Out of interest, what is the opinion regarding the use of 'CCleaner' now and again?

Thanks again Rich, good 'talking' with you.

Gyron

P1 & P2 function button problem

rich912 — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:22:37 GMT

Hi Gyron,

I haven’t used CCCleaner for some years but I never encounter any problems when using it and from memory the Registry Cleaner worked well. Also, again from memory, I believe it has a roll back facility which is a great plus.

I am uncertain as to whether any new features have been added in the intervening years but as with all such programs I would advise against running any of the ‘so called’ automated system optimisation tools. In my experience these make decisions for you without first detailing actions that will be taken and asking for your confirmation.

There are plenty of free utilities out there for simple registry cleaning that are equal to or better than TuneUp and hopefully should need no support.

Rich

P1 & P2 function button problem

gyron1 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:28:46 GMT

Hello Rich,

Thank you for your advice and comments, always greatly appreciated.

As I said previously, all I now have to do now (I think), is to 'bite the bullet' and delete TuneUp after just renewing.

Thanks again for all your help,

Regards,

Gyron