Title: Multimedia keyboards + foobar2000: A complete guide
If like me you have a multimedia keyboard, you probably want it to work with foobar2000. I've divided this up into two parts:
Tried & tested on:
Windows XP SP2
foobar v0.9.4.1
Part 1: Making the "launch multimedia application" button on your keyboard launch foobar instead of Windows Media Player.
Step 1: Associate foobar with .cda files however you see fit (from foobar's preferences is an easy way to do it). That's it!
Testing: Press the "launch multimedia application" button on your keyboard. If foobar is open it should jump to the foreground, if not it should open. If it worked, jump to the "It worked!" section. If it didn't, try the troubleshooting section and if it still doesn't work, try the "It didn't work!" section.
Technical note:
Yes, Windows determines what program should be launched when you press "AppKey 16" (media player button) by what opens .cda files. It took a while to figure this out! This can actually be changed so it matches .mp3 files or whatever, just change HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppKey\16\Association (I give no warranty whatsoever for fiddling with this, nor have I tested doing so).
Part 2: Making the media player buttons (play, stop etc) work when foobar is minimised.
Step 1: Open preferences in foobar and go to General->Keyboard Shortcuts.
Step 2: Add a new shortcut for the function you want (in my case my keyboard has a combined play/pause button so I'm adding one for that).
Step 3: Select the function you want, in this case "Play or pause".
Step 4: Click in this box and press the button on your multimedia keyboard you want to associate with the shortcut. You should get something appearing here ending in (MM). If nothing appears, jump to the troubleshooting section.
Step 5: [b]Check this box![/b]
Testing: Minimise foobar, try buttons, see if they work. If they don't work, jump to the "It didn't work!" section. If they do work, jump to the "It worked!" section.
Troubleshooting:
The number one thing to check is whether or not your media buttons work in foobar when the window is selected. If foobar is open, by default the media buttons (pause etc) should work - if they do not then either your keyboard is horribly non-standard (uncommon) or something else is hooking the keyboard call first (e.g. vendor keyboard drivers). I use my keyboard and mouse without the Logitech drivers installed for maximum compatibility, you should try disabling / uninstalling vendor drivers and / or applications if that's an option and seeing if that fixes it. If people start having other problems, then I might write a number two thing to check :P
It didn't work!
So you've followed the instructions, tried the troubleshooting steps, and it still doesn't work. No worries. Post:
What didn't work
Whether the media keys work in foobar when it's focused
Your version of Windows
Your version of Foobar
What keyboard you're using
What drivers / software you have installed for your keyboard
Anything else you think might be relevant
It did work!
Great! If you have a Windows / foobar version different to one in the "Tried & Tested" section, post so I can confirm it on that.