Windows 10: How to get "Key Sequence" macros to work? Steelseries Merc Stealth Keyboard ZEngine

How to get "Key Sequence" macros to work? Steelseries Merc Stealth Keyboard ZEngine

Got the ZEngine to work, but not "Key Sequence" macros.

ex: Left side Gamepad, "Jump/Space" key
In ZBrush, the Standard Brush sequence is Assigned the "B" "S" "T" combo.

saved that in ZEngine to the "Jump/Space" key, the code looks like:

{`b`},WAT01,<`b`>,WAT01,{`s`},WAT01,<`s`>,WAT01,{`t`},WAT01,<`t`>


it only works as the "Jump/Space" key no matter what Key Sequence is assigned to it. Even with Delay applied.

Merc Keyboard Code


To Get ZEngine working in Win10, This worked for me:

Step 1
In your C:\Program Files(x86)\Ideazon\ZEngine copy the Kernel2k directory to preserve an original untampered version.

Step 2
In the Kernel2K dir, rename every file that starts with Alpham or alpham to something else.
(ex. Alpham1.sys > Merc1.sys)

Step 3
Open the renamed Merc12.inf file in a text editor (Notepad++, etc) and do a similar find and replace on "Alpham" replacing with "Merc" (or whatever you used), replace all. save the file.

Step 4
Open an elevated command prompt. Click start, type in cmd, right click on it and select to run as administrator
BCDEDIT -Set LoadOptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
BCDEDIT -Set TESTSIGNING ON

REBOOT!

Step 5
Install the unsigned driver. (in this case the merc12.inf)

In Device Manager locate the entries "Ideazon Merc MM USB Human Interface Device" and "Ideazon Merc USB Human Interface Device".
Right click > update driver > browse computer > Let me pick > Have Disk > Browse > manually select your newly renamed merc12.inf. Acknowledge any unsigned driver warnings.

Step 6
Open an elevated command prompt. Click start, type in cmd, right click on it and select to run as administrator
To re-enable driver signing enforcement enter:

BCDEDIT -Set LoadOptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
BCDEDIT -Set TESTSIGNING OFF


REBOOT!

:)

 

Merc Stealth Zboard not working after Windows 10 KB4034674

Same issue. The manufacturer is not existing anymore since steelseries bought them, the latest drivers you can find here

SteelSeries Engine Software - GameSense & Customization | SteelSeries

Z-Engine for Merc, Merc Stealth, Zboard, and Fang English 64bit

It worked totally fine in windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 until the latest update. For now ZEngine software starts but cannot find the keyboard. Only basic functionality works - no macros in games, no special buttons etc. I tried to run it in compatibility mode (win
7 mode) - no change.

My OS version is 15063.540 Windows Pro N 64 bit.

 

SteelSeries Merc Stealth Keyboard and Windows Update

Yes i have tried reinstalling the driver direct from Steelseries website this now fails to install. I can install it fine on windows 7 and on windows 10 only if it does not have Creators update. It is only after i update my windows 10 to latest cumulative
update breaks 'trust' with the Merc Stealth Alpham Driver.

This is crazy its a keyboard why break it?

Many other people with this keyboard also have enquired as to what has happened and if there are any work arounds but not many are asking why.

cant be too hard to add the Alpham driver back since it was removed after 10 years for no reason.

The issues the update causes is for Win10 to distrust the Alpham driver for the Merc Stealth keyboard. It breaks the functionality of the keyboard's custom keyset that sits on the left side of the board. After messing with the original driver (changing
the file name from Alpham to Merc) and disabling driver signing it reinstalls and works until you guessed it Windows updates again. I dont want to disable Windows update service and leave my PC without updates but at the same time i dont want to have to change
a perfectly good keyboard for no apparent reason.

 

KB4034674 now KB4038788 disables Steelseries/Ideazone Merc Keyboard


The topic was addressed here; but, apparently breezed over due to a prevalent discussion.

No Support: Steelseries refuses to update the driver. No surprise, it took them forever to release the half-baked x64 driver (Win 7 x64 signed) that we users currently work with. And, I doubt MS is going to do anything because the user base of this product is the size of a flea on a elephants ass...

Reality: Which doesn't change the fact that hundreds of users are without the full function of their keyboards(Merc Stealth) or Gamepad(MercFang). So, I come here to tenforums.com seeking the sages/gurus help.

The problem lies in a driver file Alpham164.sys which after the KB4034674 release, is now deemed unsafe. Cough.. Bullshit! It has worked for ~10 years, that is the apex of "SAFE".



The Workaround: Currently, we users that are in the know, are uninstalling the update. However, it's cumulative and this is going to become more difficult over time.

What we need is a way to tell Windows that this file is safe. I'm pretty sure disabling driver signature enforcement, side-loading, and developer mode have all been attempted, to no avail.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

References:
Cumulative Update KB4034674 Windows 10 v1703 Build 15063.540
https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/6suq0j/psa_windows_10_update_kb4034674_breaks_z_merc/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...3-d81e3c63f151