Hey guys,

I'm using the Dell Vostro 1500 and it comes with the usual media buttons for "Next, Play, Pause" and all those. Problem is, I can only control Windows Media Player with that. I use iTunes most of the time because I sync my iPod with it and the library system is better (imo). It can only control iTunes if it's maximized and is the active screen, not when it is in the background or minimized.

Is there any way to change the settings so that I can control iTunes with it instead?

Hmmm, I don't think this is a hardware "problem" - in fact, this sounds like it is working correctly - that is, the software program that assigns the key assignments for your iTunes configuration steps out of the way when iTunes is minimized, and the defaults (as assigned by the keyboard driver) take over.

the usual media buttons for "Next, Play, Pause" and all those.

Here is a picure of "the usual media buttons" found on a standard Windows keyboard. In Control Panel > Keyboard, what does it say you are using?

So how do you change the defaults? With a remapping program. I would contact Dell and see if there is a keyboard utility for your laptop. If not, I would hesitate getting a 3rd party program - laptops are not designed to be extensively customized, meaning this is something you may have to live with.

It says "Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard". The media buttons are the oens in front of my laptop but not on the keyboard. I'm using a laptop so I'm not sure if it's directly related to the keyboard since I can change the keyboard manually.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global...o_1500_300.jpg

If you take a look at that image, you should see a thin silver bar below the touchpad. Those are the media buttons I'm referring to. Not sure if that's what they should be called though.

Funny thing is that even if Windows Media Player is minimized, the media buttons control it perfectly fine. I can be playing games and I can still use that to skip songs and all. Not with iTunes though.

I found 2 options that apparently may solve my problem. One is a third party plugin/application called iTunes Keys and another one is slightly more troublesome but offers much more customizing by using the Microsoft IntelliType Pro. Problem with iTunes Keys is I'm not sure how legitimate or dependable it is, and problem with Microsoft IntelliType Pro is that it might cause conflict with my default keyboard set "fn" shortcuts and all. Not to mention the settings are set for custom Microsoft keyboards so yeah.

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

No, not really. Sorry. Perhaps someone else reading.

And remember, this is not really a fault - those buttons work as they are supposed to.

Haha thanks anyway for your input. I didn't really think it was a fault just that it didn't work the way I wished they did. Lol. I hope I did not sound like I did because I'm prone to causing miscommunication online at times =X

No you didn't - I just need to make sure any future readers looking for similar help do not get confused too.