AutoHotkey Community

[wideeyedguy]

Recently moved to a new PC, but have made zero changes to
the scripts for my hotstrings.

When entering a shortcut i.e. !s:: to initiate a hotstring,
the hotstring is entered into whatever editor or data field that
I might be working in. However, it is showing each line as if it
is being typed manually - very quickly, but not instantaneously
as on the previous PC.

I can see each line of text being entered as if by hand, one keystroke
at a time. Previously, the text strings (paragraphs) would be inserted
instantly to whatever editor I was using at the moment.

For hotstrings that contain multiple lines of text strings, I also
lose keyboard control. I can no longer use arrow keys or backspace
as an example. I have to initiate another hotstring that contains
only one line of text to regain keyboard control.

Suggestions??

Thanks,
weg

[hugov]

Look at setkeydelay, your keyboard settings may differ from your previous PC (slower). Also look at setbatchlines, -1

For longer hotstrings try the paste method and send the clipboard

[wideeyedguy]

Thanks for the reply.

I am using SendMode Input which makes Send synonomous with SendInput. Both ignore SetKeyDelay according to Help.

SetBatchLines didn't change anything.

I'm reading up on your ClipBoard approach, but still am wondering
what changed to cause this problem. Keep in mind, I'm losing keyboard
control after the hotstring inserts the text.

Here is one of the hotstrings I'm using.

[hugov]

Try one of the other sends so you can use setkeydelay (also you at your keyboard settings in the OS)

Not sure what you mean by focus, but you can store the and restore the current window and or control before and after sending the text (still think sending clipboard is the fastest and most reliable way IMHO)

Re focus, look at WinGet, ControlGetFocus, ControlFocus it may help,
here is a snippet from one of my scripts where I use functions but
there is no need for that actually.

[wideeyedguy]

HugoV,

Where did I make a reference to 'focus'?
I'm missing what you're saying.

". . . but you can store the ? and restore the current window and or control before . . ."

Thank you.

[hugov]

[wideeyedguy]

I appreciate your patience.

How do I "check" my keyboard settings in the OS?

Perhaps if we step aside from the issue of the textstrings
and focus on why I'm losing keyboard functionality then I
can put up with the slowness of the textstrings.

weg

[hugov]

Start -> Control panel -> keyboard, properties and look at the repeat delay and repeat rate, perhaps they are set to SLOW (there should be a slider)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/images/HT2_007/SP32-20040715-171530.gif

2nd thing you could look at would be your BIOS settings, "Typematic Delay"
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/set/adv_TypeDelay.htm

Have you tried other Send methods, how about regular send?

What OS are you using XP, Vista or Win7
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[a_h_k]

[wideeyedguy]

a_h_k,

Appears it was a typo, but has zero effect on the script
or the issue I'm having.

Any ideas to solve my problem?

Thanks,
weg

[hugov]

Have you looked at the delay in the OS and Bios? Pasting the text may be the only solution left unless you experiment with ControlSend ... (would be hard to loose focus using that I suppose)
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[wideeyedguy]

Keyboard rate is set to fast, from what I can see for those settings.

I've been experimenting with the ClipBoard paste method
and am not "gettin' it". I'm sure this is due to my limited understanding
of variables/expressions. Trying to read and understand.

What would a couple of the lines from the snippet I gave here
look like converted over to the ClipBoard method?

weg

[hugov]

Try this

[wideeyedguy]

As you can see from the two snippets I pasted as examples,
I have used 'SendInput' and 'Send'.

Since the Help notes state that SendInput Mode makes Send synonomous with SendInput, I didn't see much to be gained by using Send, even though I had in some of the single-string Hotstrings.
According to Help, both ignore SetKeyDelay, so wasn't sure how your suggestion could be implemented. Help states that SendInput is the fastest method of sending keystrokes - "nearly instantaneous".

Perhaps I've overlooked another Send command that you're referring to in your questions. And, not certain when I would use SetKeyDelay if they ignore that setting.

Changing the keyboard settings, via Control Panel, is having zero effect on keystroke delivery to the screen or preventing loss of keyboard action as described in the original post.

Your Clipboard snippet is beautiful and is how I will modify each of my hotstrings. Also helps me to see how I should sequence the variables and setting statements. I will update you if I still have the keyboard problem after updating all of my strings and putting to use.

Disappointing to not deduce the cause of the original problem, but at least I have a new method to produce the intended result.

weg

[hugov]

Look again at the http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/commands/Send.htm you will sendplay sendevent might be worth experimenting with and have a look at http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/commands/SendMode.htm as well so you can still use send and easily try another method with modifying your hotstrings/hotkeys...
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