Linux – Get Macro Keys from Razer BlackWidow to Work

I picked up a Razer BlackWidow Ultimate that has additional keys meant for macros that are set using a tool that's installed on Windows. I'm assuming that these aren't some fancypants joojoo keys and should emit scancodes like any other keys.

Firstly, is there a standard way to check these scancodes in Linux? Secondly, how do I set these keys to do things in command line and X-based Linux setups? My current Linux install is Xubuntu 10.10, but I'll be switching to Kubuntu once I have a few things fixed up. Ideally the answer should be generic and system-wide.

Things I have tried so far:

• showkeys from the built in kbd package (in a seperate vt) – macro keys not detected

• xev – macro keys not detected

• contents of /dev/input/by-path as well as lsusb and evdev output

• This ahk script's output suggests the M keys are not outputting standard scancodes detectable by windows

Things I need to try

• snoopy pro + reverse engineering (oh dear)

• Wireshark – preliminary futzing around seems to indicate no scancodes emitted when what I seem to think is the keyboard is monitored and keys pressed. Might indicate additional keys are a separate device or need to be initialised somehow.

• Need to cross reference that with lsusb output from Linux, in three scenarios: standalone, passed through to a Windows VM without the drivers installed, and the same with.

• LSUSB only detects one device on a standalone Linux install

• It might be useful to check if the mice use the same Razer Synapse driver , since that means some variation of razercfg might work (not detected, only seems to work for mice)

Things I have worked out:

• In a Windows system with the driver, the keyboard is seen as a keyboard and a pointing device. The pointing device uses – in addition to your bog standard mouse drivers – a driver for something called a Razer Synapse.

• Mouse driver seen in Linux under evdev and lsusb as well

• Single device under OS X apparently, though I have yet to try lsusb equivalent on that

• Keyboard goes into pulsing backlight mode in OS X upon initialisation with the driver. This should probably indicate that there's some initialisation sequence sent to the keyboard on activation.

• They are, in fact, fancypants joojoo keys.

Extending this question a little:

I have access to a Windows system so if I need to use any tools on that to help answer the question, it's fine. I can also try it on systems with and without the config utility. The expected end result is still to make those keys usable on Linux however.

I also realise this is a very specific family of hardware. I would be willing to test anything that makes sense on a Linux system if I have detailed instructions – this should open up the question to people who have Linux skills, but no access to this keyboard.

The minimum end result I require:

I need these keys detected, and usable in any fashion on any of the current graphical mainstream Ubuntu variants, and naturally have to work with my keyboard. Virtual cookie and mad props if it's something nicely packaged and usable by the average user.

I will require compiled code that will work on my system, or a source that I can compile (with instructions if it's more complex than ./configure , make, make install) if additional software not on the Ubuntu repositories for the current LTS or standard desktop release at the time of the answer. I will also require sufficient information to replicate, and successfully use the keys on my own system.