Razer Arctosa Multimedia Key Issues

Shin Amakiir · 10-09-2010, 11:08 PM

So, yeah, as the title says, I recently picked up the Razer Arctosa and Razer DeathAdder. Works pretty well overall, but I can't seem to get the multimedia keys on the Arctosa to work. This is rather unfortunate since I don't use my speakers anymore, I just plug my headset right into the tower. I'm fairly certain I have the latest drivers, and all Google can tell me is it's a great keyboard with amazing multimedia keys. Does anyone have any experience with this?

synkr0nized · 10-09-2010, 11:36 PM

I have the Lycosa, and my multimedia keys work perfectly well. Did the Arctosa come with any software and drivers? The Lycosa did, and the software, while I believe is not needed, provides additional functionality [like macros in games, profiles to save layouts for different games/functions, explicit tying of the multimedia keys to a multimedia program of choice]. It's also an easy way to test if they're all working. In fact it looks like the same exact multimedia touch panel is in the Arctosa as the Lycosa.

Check the configurator [tray icon if you haven't disabled it and have installed the software or wherever you may have put the start menu entry, if anywhere] and see if you have a media app selected and tied to the multimedia keys. If so and it fails to launch, try an alternative to see if it might be an issue between the keyboard and that app. Also, you could try launching the program and seeing if the play/pause, next, previous, etc. work after it's already open, if you haven't.

Lastly, as an aside:

Quote:

"This is rather unfortunate since I don't use my speakers anymore, I just plug my headset right into the tower."

In either case, the functionality [or lack thereof] of the keyboard is the same, so I am not sure why you are implying otherwise?

Shin Amakiir · 10-09-2010, 11:47 PM

Right, I guess I wasn't as clear as I could've been.

I can bring up the configurator to set keys to be macros, but I can't make the multimedia panel respond at all. For example, the volume up/down buttons don't work, which I use to change the volume when playing a full-screen game such as TF2. Since I don't use my speakers, the only way to change the volume other than the multimedia keys is to go to the system tray icon and manually lower it. This is what the media keys do, in my experience.

I've tried using the keys in various programs, including iTunes, MPC, and VLC. I've installed the software that came in the box, it didn't seem to work at all, so I downloaded drivers for Windows 7 64-bit from the website. So I can macro keys but that's it. I'm supposed to be able to hit the middle button on the panel as well, and change the macro profile at will. Doesn't work. I'm supposed to be able to change the sensitivity on the fly on the DeathAdder, now that I think about it, but I can't get that to work either.

EDIT: Figured out the on-the-fly sensitivity thing. Duh. Still no luck with the multimedia keys.

synkr0nized · 10-10-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin Amakiir

Right, I guess I wasn't as clear as I could've been.

I can bring up the configurator to set keys to be macros, but I can't make the multimedia panel respond at all. For example, the volume up/down buttons don't work, which I use to change the volume when playing a full-screen game such as TF2. Since I don't use my speakers, the only way to change the volume other than the multimedia keys is to go to the system tray icon and manually lower it. This is what the media keys do, in my experience.

Ahhh, totally dig it. Yes, I get what you mean now, and that's indeed a super bummer when just using headphones!

Hmm.
Do you have another machine you can test it on?
Or perhaps it's worth uninstalling and then re-installing the drivers, the latest ones for Windows 7 64-bit that you downloaded, just to give that a shot.

Shin Amakiir · 10-10-2010, 10:28 AM

I'll try it on one of my room-mate's computers in a bit, just need one of them to wake up, first. I've uninstalled and re-installed the drivers multiple times, so there's nothing else to do there.

I just made it work. GOD DAMN. They're actual BUTTONS, not just something that you touch like my iPhone. That phone has spoilt me. So, I feel dumb, and thanks for your help. *bash head*

10-09-2010, 11:08 PM	#1
Shin Amakiir First Axeman of Awesomeland Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The land of SEVEN potatoes! Posts: 153	Razer Arctosa Multimedia Key Issues So, yeah, as the title says, I recently picked up the Razer Arctosa and Razer DeathAdder. Works pretty well overall, but I can't seem to get the multimedia keys on the Arctosa to work. This is rather unfortunate since I don't use my speakers anymore, I just plug my headset right into the tower. I'm fairly certain I have the latest drivers, and all Google can tell me is it's a great keyboard with amazing multimedia keys. Does anyone have any experience with this?

10-09-2010, 11:47 PM	#3
Shin Amakiir First Axeman of Awesomeland Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The land of SEVEN potatoes! Posts: 153	Right, I guess I wasn't as clear as I could've been. I can bring up the configurator to set keys to be macros, but I can't make the multimedia panel respond at all. For example, the volume up/down buttons don't work, which I use to change the volume when playing a full-screen game such as TF2. Since I don't use my speakers, the only way to change the volume other than the multimedia keys is to go to the system tray icon and manually lower it. This is what the media keys do, in my experience. I've tried using the keys in various programs, including iTunes, MPC, and VLC. I've installed the software that came in the box, it didn't seem to work at all, so I downloaded drivers for Windows 7 64-bit from the website. So I can macro keys but that's it. I'm supposed to be able to hit the middle button on the panel as well, and change the macro profile at will. Doesn't work. I'm supposed to be able to change the sensitivity on the fly on the DeathAdder, now that I think about it, but I can't get that to work either. EDIT: Figured out the on-the-fly sensitivity thing. Duh. Still no luck with the multimedia keys. Last edited by Shin Amakiir; 10-09-2010 at 11:53 PM.

10-10-2010, 10:28 AM	#5
Shin Amakiir First Axeman of Awesomeland Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The land of SEVEN potatoes! Posts: 153	I'll try it on one of my room-mate's computers in a bit, just need one of them to wake up, first. I've uninstalled and re-installed the drivers multiple times, so there's nothing else to do there. I just made it work. GOD DAMN. They're actual BUTTONS, not just something that you touch like my iPhone. That phone has spoilt me. So, I feel dumb, and thanks for your help. bash head