One ALT key not working

[frankmazz]

I have installed vDOS 2020.03.01 today and I find that the ALT key on the right of the spacebar is not recognized. The left ALT key still works.

So, for example, RIGHT_ALT+T does not open the Tools menu, it instead types the letter "T" at the cursor location. This behavior is the same on my laptop keyboard and on an attached USB keyboard. I am running Windows 10 Home edition.

[NEW INFORMATION] I've also discovered RIGHT_ALT+SPACEBAR correctly opens the menu in the upper-left corner of the vDOS window. So, it appears RIGHT_ALT is recognized, but not with a letter key.

I have seen the KEYCODE explanation for the vDOS config.txt file but I don't know how to determine the codes. Your help and advice will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Frank M

[Jos]

The right Alt (AltGr) key in Windows behaves different from the left Alt key.
For instance AltGr+e produces a “é” with my Dutch keyboard setting.
AltGr+spacebar shouldn’t actually do anything, the test in vDos for Alt+spacebar will be to loose.

With KEYCODE you can let vDos report another character for a specific key. But that won’t work for keyboard state keys like Alt.

Attached SCODE.COM DOS program will show you the ASCII and scan codes of keys.

Jos

Attachments:

SCODE.COM (2.97 KB)

[frankmazz]

Feb 1, 2021 10:15:26 GMT 1 Jos said:

The right Alt (AltGr) key in Windows behaves different from the left Alt key.
For instance AltGr+e produces a “é” with my Dutch keyboard setting.
AltGr+spacebar shouldn’t actually do anything, the test in vDos for Alt+spacebar will be to loose.

With KEYCODE you can let vDos report another character for a specific key. But that won’t work for keyboard state keys like Alt.

Attached SCODE.COM DOS program will show you the ASCII and scan codes of keys.

Jos

Jos, just FYI (for your information) - I don't want you to think I'm crazy, at least not TOO crazy ;-)

I'm attaching a screen shot of the result of either LEFT_ALT+SPACEBAR or RIGHT_ALT+SPACEBAR. It has been a Windows standard since, I recall, a long time ago when Msft was trying to be more like Apple/Mac.

[Jos]

As said, AltGr+spacebar shouldn't display the system menu in vDos, as other Windows programs don't.
You could consider that a bug, but no one will care?

Jos

[frankmazz]

Jos, FYI, I've decided to go back to vDOS v2018-05-01. When using that version both ALT keys (left and right) behave the same way. And, they behave the way I've used them since as long as I can remember. (I'm in the USA.)

I wouldn't mind upgrading and contributing money in the future, so I will keep an eye on the vDOS site and this forum. Thanks for your help!
Frank