What does my Logitech keyboard send when I press its special 'E-Mail' key?

[glyfyx]

I recently started using a Logitech keyboard with several specific special keys - volume control, WWW, E-Mail, Mute, and so on, and they all work. So I'm wondering what it sends when I press them. The keyboard did not require any special software - just plug it in and go. So I reason that the only thing it can send are keyboard keystrokes, since its a keyboard without host software. I reason further that if I knew what it sends then I should be able to send the same thing by striking keys on the keyboard. In other words, regardless of what application is running, I should be able to send a sequence of keystrokes that will open up my e-mail client. Am I right? Does anyone have an idea what's going on here? Thanks folks.. glyfyx

[Richard Andrew x64]

I'm pretty sure there are key codes reserved for those special functions. For instance, the code 198 (just an example) might tell Windows to open the default mail client. Another tells it to open the default browser. So it doesn't send key combinations, just certain key codes.

[Michel Godfroid]

glyfyx wrote:

Does anyone have an idea what's going on here?

I do. You want to read this[^]. It's quite old, but the info is still current. Note that this only documents the standard keyboard device driver, used if you don't install any logitech drivers. If you install the logitech drivers, the Logitech driver enables a lot more scan codes, and unfortunately, I have the impression that it also switches a number of these standard scan codes.

[glyfyx]

Thanks - especially for the link that explains the mystery. Glyfyx