[HOWTO] Switch keyboard layout (azerty/qwerty etc..)

[dext3r]

If you are using any custom rom, and it does not match your current hardware keyboard, please find the original rom , and extract the file "/system/etc/motorola/12m/key_code_map.txt" from your original firmware, this file maps the keys to your original keyboard layout.

copy the "key_code_map.txt" to the new firmware into the exact same location, and you're good to go with a correct hardware keyboard layout.

Maybe some nice people will attach the keyboard layouts of non-qwerty layouts to this thread, so you dont have to dig up the old roms.
as example i have attached the QWERTY layout text file here.

update,
please add the file into the /data/local/12m folder as well, if you experience mapping not to work.
create folders as needed.

if you need additional national mapping,
please update the "/system/usr/keychars/sholes-keypad.kcm.bin" file as well, using the same procedure copying it from the original stock firmware you had before.

[kniffo80]

If you are using any custom rom, and it does not match your current hardware keyboard, please find the original rom , and extract the file "/system/etc/motorola/12m/key_code_map.txt" from your original firmware, this file maps the keys to your original keyboard layout.

copy the "key_code_map.txt" to the new firmware into the exact same location, and you're good to go with a correct hardware keyboard layout.

Maybe some nice people will attach the keyboard layouts of non-qwerty layouts to this thread, so you dont have to dig up the old roms.
as example i have attached the QWERTY layout text file here.

it's not working for me. still have QWERTY as original is QWERTZ i took the keyboard layout from my old rom
EDIT: also, after applying from GOT modding qwertz, it's not working perhaps, it has something to do with your used ramdisk?

[dext3r]

it's not working for me. still have QWERTY as original is QWERTZ i took the keyboard layout from my old rom
EDIT: also, after applying from GOT modding qwertz, it's not working perhaps, it has something to do with your used ramdisk?

no no...

this is the keyboard solution(98% sure)... i used the same solution on droid2 build im testing.. power button uses different value than our milestone sends..

ok, try this then as well put it into /data/local/12m/
create folders if needed.. the library also checks this location.

[nadlabak]

On Milestone, the /system/usr/keychars/sholes-keypad.kcm.bin is not a file, but only a symlink to sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin, which is the actual keychar file. The keyboard layout change script for OpenRecovery replaces the sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin.
On Droid, the actual keychar file is the sholes-keypad.kcm.bin.
Unfortunately, Dext3r left it in MotoFrenzy the Droid way, therefore the OR script does not work there.
If you edit the OpenRecovery/bin/change_keyboard_layout.sh script and replace every occurrence of sholesp2a with sholes, then the script will work for MotoFrenzy too.

[kniffo80]

On Milestone, the /system/usr/keychars/sholes-keypad.kcm.bin is not a file, but only a simlink to sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin, which is the actual keychar file. The keyboard layout change script for OpenRecovery replaces the sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin.
On Droid, the actual keychar file is the sholes-keypad.kcm.bin.
Unfortunately, Dext3r left it in MotoFrenzy the Droid way, therefore the OR script does not work there.
If you edit the OpenRecovery/bin/change_keyboard_layout.sh script and replace every occurrence of sholesp2a with sholes, then the script will work for MotoFrenzy too.

thanks nadlabak. the replace in the OpenRecovery Script worked. i copied the key char txt also to data/local/12m, checking now, if this is necessary. but now, i've got qwertz

thanks!

EDIT: copy the txt to the data/local/12m is not necessary!

[dext3r]

On Milestone, the /system/usr/keychars/sholes-keypad.kcm.bin is not a file, but only a symlink to sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin, which is the actual keychar file. The keyboard layout change script for OpenRecovery replaces the sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin.
On Droid, the actual keychar file is the sholes-keypad.kcm.bin.
Unfortunately, Dext3r left it in MotoFrenzy the Droid way, therefore the OR script does not work there.
If you edit the OpenRecovery/bin/change_keyboard_layout.sh script and replace every occurrence of sholesp2a with sholes, then the script will work for MotoFrenzy too.

but heres the but.

The mapping tables you refer to is the keyboard event key reported back referring to the 12m table.
So if you solve the table in the 12m folder, you would be well on your way to a good solution.
at least thats what i saw with the "power" button event code.

OOn Droid, the actual keychar file is the sholes-keypad.kcm.bin.
Unfortunately, Dext3r left it in MotoFrenzy the Droid way, therefore the OR script does not work there.

if will make the link back to a physical file in next frenzy update and in my MotoBlur remake.
You are correct, that is was easier this way but might not be compatible with a simple cp.

[sakazaki]

thanks nadlabak. the replace in the OpenRecovery Script worked. i copied the key char txt also to data/local/12m, checking now, if this is necessary. but now, i've got qwertz

thanks!

EDIT: copy the txt to the data/local/12m is not necessary!

The same! It doesn't work for me just with the replace of "key_char_txt". I've got to edit "change_keyboard_layout" file.
It work like a charm.
Thanks

[floofloo44]

why the button "m" writ ";" a solution ?

[ElioHoHo]

why the button "m" writ ";" a solution ?

Hi everybody, I have the same issue. (for a french azerty mapping)...
It's kinda frustrating

Great work anyway !

[The_Philosophist]

Hi everybody, I have the same issue. (for a french azerty mapping)...
It's kinda frustrating

Great work anyway !

I also need the french azerty mapping! But I am going to make it myself seeing as I can't find one to download. It's a lil bit of work but who cares.

The only problem I have is that I have no clue how to acces the directory that's stated here.

So how to I acces /system/etc/motorola/12m/key_code_map.txt.

I would very much appreciate it if someone helped me with this small question so I can stop the frustration of different mapping.

Thanks!!!!

PS: I rooted my phone using nandroid, followed the how to on theunlockr.com

[Alex469]

If you actually rooted the phone you can access the directory that's stated here with Root Explorer program. This is just an example - there are another ways to access. But Root Explorer is very simple.

[The_Philosophist]

If you actually rooted the phone you can access the directory that's stated here with Root Explorer program. This is just an example - there are another ways to access. But Root Explorer is very simple.

I just tried to overwrite the key_code_map.txt file with it's new version using andexplorer. It said it wasn't able to copy, wich would be logical as the file is in use when the phone is powered on.

Anyone have a clue how to fix this please ?
I'm kinda desperate because this is the only place I could find some information on this subject.

[adlx]

I was browsing randomly on M3 and found that thread. Don't know if it can help for Milestone, but this is how we manage to have Cliq rom's (made for qwerty hw kbd) to recognize the azerty French hw kbd: adding keypad=azerty to the kernel parameter line.

See http://modmymobile.com/forums/403-mo...=azerty+keypad .

Hope it helps :-)

[Skrilax_CZ]

Milestone has it's own specific way. Actually there is some change in 02.38.1 French firmware as [MENTION=3114265]Alex469[/MENTION] reported:
/system/usr/keychars/sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin and /system/usr/keylayout/sholesp2a-keypad.kl

[The_Philosophist]

Milestone has it's own specific way. Actually there is some change in 02.38.1 French firmware as [MENTION=3114265]Alex469[/MENTION] reported:
/system/usr/keychars/sholesp2a-keypad.kcm.bin and /system/usr/keylayout/sholesp2a-keypad.kl

But when the device is powered on there is no way to change or overwrite all these files as they are in use. And when the device is powered down you obvisiously can't acces the data on the phone itself.

Isn't there any mod for motorola milestone that:
- Uses froyo but still with a working camera (and everything else)
- Has a Dutch language (so my apps won't be all strictly in English)
- Has root, this isn't a real necessity as the is the 'androot' app now a days.
- Has a French hardware keyboard lay out.

??

I'm really desperate on this one, especially the keyboard part. I bought a phone specifically with a hardware keyboard but I haven't been able to use it as the QWERTY configuration drives me mad every time I try to use it.
Also putting the original version back in place and use 'androot' for root capabilities isn't a real option as I need my apps (and preferably the OS itself also) in Dutch.

Will donate like a few euro's to someone who can help me fix my issues. Using paypal ofcourse