How to program MX Mini with Aikon controller (now with video tutorial)

[intelli78]

EDIT: Thanks for the help guys. With your help I was able to successfully remap my MX Mini w/ Aikon controller. I made a YouTube tutorial for anyone who reads this thread in the future:

If you have an MX Mini with TRIK PCB (open it up and check, TRIK PCBs are red), these instructions do not apply to you. Instead, try this link: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55038.0

[Pacifist]

I'd say just try the software out and see what it can do. Unfortunatly mine hasn't arrived yet so I can't really test it myself

[intelli78]

I'd say just try the software out and see what it can do. Unfortunatly mine hasn't arrived yet so I can't really test it myself

I initially tried the TRIK software that was mentioned in the Q&A thread, and when it failed to detect the board, I did more research and found the Aikon software. However, it requires a 32bit OS, so that means I have to set up a new virtual machine etc. Just want to see if anyone has already been through this and can confirm/deny whether it's worth going to the trouble. Also, need intel re: the perpetually on LEDs.

[Pacifist]

Oh by the way what kind of programming will you do to yours? I'm thinking of making the right shift a fn key because I never use it with the top row to do audio shortcuts.

[intelli78]

I want to remap the right column as follows:

Pause
Home
Page Up
Page Down
End
Right Arrow

Right now, the middle four keys are programmed to delete plus some other arrangement of pg up/dn and End that I do not want. Right now it's solved via software, but would be better to get it fixed in the firmware

What do you have planned re: keycaps

[intelli78]

Anyone able to help?

[tjweir]

I have successfully programmed my mx-minis in two ways.

1. Using the Firmware, Client and Bootloader here: http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=aikon_down&sca=Firmware&sfl=wr_10&stx=&nca=

2. Updating the firmware to use the Ps2avrU programmer: http://winkeyless.kr/112

The original Aikon stack in 1) is much easier to use, but does not support some of the more useful things like media keys.  2) is a bit more of a process, but you get more features.

My wife's work laptop is 32-bit Windows, so I just used that.  I would recommend trying 1) and if its insufficient, update the firmware to the Ps2avrU stack.

[intelli78]

I have successfully programmed my mx-minis in two ways.

1. Using the Firmware, Client and Bootloader here: http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=aikon_down&sca=Firmware&sfl=wr_10&stx=&nca=

2. Updating the firmware to use the Ps2avrU programmer: http://winkeyless.kr/112

The original Aikon stack in 1) is much easier to use, but does not support some of the more useful things like media keys.  2) is a bit more of a process, but you get more features.

My wife's work laptop is 32-bit Windows, so I just used that.  I would recommend trying 1) and if its insufficient, update the firmware to the Ps2avrU stack.

Many thanks for the info! Any idea about the LEDs?

[tjweir]

Many thanks for the info! Any idea about the LEDs?

In 1) you don't get much control and not sure about 2).  LEDs on custom boards have never "worked" with my Macs.  Currently my work and my home minis have LEDs on always for Esc, WASD, Caps and F15 (top right) and the F14 LEDs light up when the Function Layer is active.

I have not looked into it as I don't care about LEDs much, personal preference.

[intelli78]

Thank you 

I also use a Mac and do not care for LEDs. I will probably remove them then.

[tjweir]

All of my minis (aka, too many of them :3 ) have LEDs on Esc, Caps, WASD, F14 and F15.

I recommend soldering at least one LED in, because its your feedback method during programming.

[Pacifist]

I want to remap the right column as follows:

Pause
Home
Page Up
Page Down
End
Right Arrow

Right now, the middle four keys are programmed to delete plus some other arrangement of pg up/dn and End that I do not want. Right now it's solved via software, but would be better to get it fixed in the firmware

What do you have planned re: keycaps

I'm probally going to do the traditional KC84 setup, with a Fn layer or two.

Keycaps will be OG dyesubs, with A profile RGB and the right collum will be my own custom blanks in a color scheme I'm not sure of yet.

[intelli78]

Look forward to seeing it.

I have updated the OP. I made a YouTube tutorial for programming the aikon pcb.

[tjweir]

Great video!

To update the firmware you only need to pop off your spacebar and bridge two pins, it's simple.

1.0.4 from Aikon has issues with OSX anyway, so you probably have 1.0.3 on yours.

[Pacifist]

just an fyi i found out mine was aikon when in devices it said aikon. There isn't anything else identifying it marked on the pcb

[intelli78]

Yea, it sounds like anything that's not clearly marked as TRIK is Aikon.

[Pacifist]

who designed this to only work with 32 bit?  That's so stupid........

[intelli78]

Dude, I did notice after I made the video that the website has some 64bit libusb drivers labeled as "test" or something. You might want to give those a shot and let us know if it works.

[Pacifist]

Tried 64 bit, broke all my USB ports until I uninstalled it and restarted the machine. Luckily its a laptop so the built in keyboard and trackpad don't use USB. this is 64bit win8.1 btw

32 bit windows xp professional in vmware workstation doesn't recognize my mini