AW3423DWF, unbind DDM shortcut key Ctrl + Y?

Test the DDM shortcuts workaround found by user Hotel Bravo here.

Hi Chris,

Unfortunately when I enter the hotkeys into the input panels e.g. Alt + A or Alt + S or Ctrl  Y (which is the offending hotkey in my case), DDM does not display the warning pop-up prompt.

I did, however go looking for the config files for DDM to see if I could address a setting there. This is what I found: in my logs

WriteINIStr: wrote [Settings] NextButtonText=&Finish in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 2] Bottom=48 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 3] Top=55 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 2] Text=Dell Display Manager 2.1 installation has completed successfully in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 3] Bottom=95 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 3] Text=Setup has completed. You may launch the software from program menu or system tray.\r\n\r\nClick Finish to exit Setup.\r\n\r\n in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Type=CheckBox in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Text=Launch Dell Display Manager in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Left=120 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Right=315 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Top=100 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] Bottom=110 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Field 4] State=1 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
WriteINIStr: wrote [Settings] Numfields=4 in C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini
Call: 477
Call: 1790
SetFlag: 13=6
File: overwriteflag=1, allowskipfilesflag=0, name="C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\InstallOptions.dll"
File: skipped: "C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\InstallOptions.dll" (overwriteflag=1)
Call: 1790
SetFlag: 13=6
File: overwriteflag=1, allowskipfilesflag=2, name="C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\System.dll"
File: skipped: "C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\System.dll" (overwriteflag=1)

 Then, the logs indicate that DDM deletes the temp folder so the ini folder can no longer be found

[LaunchApplication]
Call: 1790
SetFlag: 13=6
File: overwriteflag=1, allowskipfilesflag=0, name="C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ShellExecAsUser.dll"
File: wrote 44032 to "C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ShellExecAsUser.dll"
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\AccessControl.dll")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\InstallOptions.dll")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ioSpecial.ini")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\modern-header.bmp")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\modern-wizard.bmp")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\nsExec.dll")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\ShellExecAsUser.dll")
Delete: DeleteFile("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\System.dll")
RMDir: RemoveDirectory("C:\Users\USER~1\AppData\Local\Temp\nsn5734.tmp\")

I found the DDM files in Program Files, and in the readme, there's apparently also a command line tool to adjust settings. Only problem is, the readme doesn't mention which file to run to access it.

It seems the .ini files are only temporary and upon closing DDM window, the updated configs are written to somewhere else. Do you know how I can access this config and turnn off Ctrl+Y?

Thanks

I do not. You should message Hotel Bravo with the issue.

DDM is consuming my computer's inputs and not providing a way to unbind the keys. Could you please pass through the feedback or log an issue or submit a bug to Dell Display Manager developers so that they can address it in the next update? All of the features are there, but they haven't included a way to unbind or rebind all keys. Either that or provide documentation on how to do it. Or, if there is a place to log issues, can you please pass me the URL?

Thanks

What do you use DDM for?

I think the obvious solution (for now) is to uninstall DDM, or just run it while you need to use it.

I use DDM to automatically manage Colour Profiles, as I'm using a QD-OLED for mastering film, games, and photoshop. It's quite important actually. Is there any indication as to how/when Dell could just update their interface to make all hotkeys editable?

As far as DDM, you will have to go through each of the pages and settings and backspace in the boxes you find hotkeys to make them show "None." However, what you're experiencing is coming from the newer Alienware Command Center Application. I wasn't able to find a way to unbind that key myself and uninstalled that application soon after it auto-installed on my PC.

I have the same problem. CTRL+Y cycles through the AlienVision modes (Night, Chroma, Clear, Crosshair, Off) in my AW2523HF monitor. I don't see an option to set a shortcut in DDM. In fact, this issue existed before DDM was installed. After installing DDM, I never found a way to change it there.

I did find an option to set this key in Alienware Command Center (ACC). I go to FX/settings/AW2523HF. I can unbind the key there. Unfortunately, that's only a temporary solution. Upon restart, the key is back to CTRL+Y. And even more weird, ACC at that time says it's "Alt + Shift + LeftW" (it's cutoff, maybe that LeftWindows?). So, I need to clear it after every restart.

Note: ACC asks me to enter my Microsoft password several times when I start it. I just close the dialog box each time. I think it's for add-ons. It's very annoying.

To summarize:

Partial solution: trying using ACC to unbind the AlienVision key, possibly after each restart.

Possible full solution: try uninstalling ACC. I haven't tried this.

I also have  this same problem and am frustrated with the lack of a simple solution to unbind the CTRL + Y key from the AlienVision Toggle List configuration setting. It is a regular command that I use in my work flow, and not being able to use it is very frustrating.

I'm a developer who is having this same issue.  Another problem is that even after uninstalling DDM it STILL remains binded somehow.

Binding that monitor function to a common shortcut like CTRL+Y is a huge oversight  --- drives me bonkers.  A simple way to unbind --- or turn off monitor hotkeys altogether would be ideal.

Just uninstall the Alienware Control Center app and it should be fine. 

How on earth was this released like this? better yet why is this not fixed by not defaulting the binding to ctrl + y. and secondly let the user configure things that make such system changes.

By the sounds of others, the only solution is to remove the control center that auto-installs itself. did really no one thing, maybe binding a global shortcut for a key combo that is already widely used for redo is a bad idea?

if you can actually name anyone that wanted to override the ability to redo on their keyboard for a tacky monitor effect id be amazed.

I just registered for this comment, as I fully share your frustration here. A company like DELL, who have one of the best customer support in general, completely failing at such a simple thing like a key binding blocking essential user setups. 

And judging by the date of the comments - this has still no fix until now. Wow. What a disrespect toward your customer base.

Bears the question if DELL employees are actually using DELL monitors - as no one professionally using a PC will be happy with this nonsense.