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The dedicated steam key on my ASUS ROG G751 laptop does not do anything. What do I need to do to make it launch steam?

Uberdaff
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1 Answers1

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Update: This will make the "video" button and the "rog" button next to the keypad also launch steam. Will look into that when I have the time.

This is how I made the "Steam button" work on my ASUS ROG G751. I would not be surprised if there is a simpler way to do this :) I am using xbindkeys to bind the steam key to a script. The script will start steam if it is not already running. If steam is running the script will change focus to steam. To achieve this I am using xdotool.

Install xbindkeys:

sudo apt-get xbindkeys    
sudo apt-get xbindkeys-config    
xbindkeys --defaults > ~/.xbindkeysrc

Run:

xbindkeys-config

Add a new item with: Name: Steam, Key: Mod2 + NoSymbol | m:0x10 + c:248, or you can use the "Get Key" function. We want to execute a script as Action: ~/opensteam This script will start steam if not started. Change focus to steam if started.

Install xdomod

sudo apt-get install xdotool

Script (opensteam):

nano ~/opensteam

Enter this into nano:

#!/bin/bash
if [ -n "$(tail /var/log/kern.log -n 1 | grep 'key 7f pressed')" ]; then
 if [ -z "$(xdotool search --name steam)" ]; then
  echo "Focus"
  steam &
 else
  echo "Execute"
  xdotool search --name steam windowactivate
 fi
else
 echo "Steam key was not pressed"
fi

Make opensteam executable

chmod a+x opensteam

Open "startup applications" either via the menu or via command: 

gnome-session-properties

In startup applications add: Name, command and comment: xbindkeys

This will make the xbindkeys launch when you log in. It runs in the background.

Edit: Added a nasty hack to fix the issue where the ROG key and the video key also started steam.

Uberdaff
  • 51