Hacking Microsoft Sidewinder X5 Mouse

[CannonDub]

I recently acquired the Microsoft Sidewinder X5 mouse and I am in need of some tech wizardry. As you can see from the images in the official link I provided, the mouse has 3 "on-the-fly" dpi switching buttons located behind the mouse wheel.

Unfortunately, these 3 buttons are not able to be reassigned to other functions using the provided software (Microsoft Intellipoint). As a gamer, I would love 3 extra buttons on my mouse that I can reprogram. I have searched high and low on the internet looking for a way to do this and have been unsuccessful.

I know this is possible, I just can't figure it out. It most likely requires editing the "commands.xml" file located in "Program Files>Microsoft Intellipoint" but that file may as well be written in latin, because I can't figure it out. Any tech wizards out there have a solution for me?

 

[obobski]

I recently acquired the Microsoft Sidewinder X5 mouse and I am in need of some tech wizardry. As you can see from the images in the official link I provided, the mouse has 3 "on-the-fly" dpi switching buttons located behind the mouse wheel.

Unfortunately, these 3 buttons are not able to be reassigned to other functions using the provided software (Microsoft Intellipoint). As a gamer, I would love 3 extra buttons on my mouse that I can reprogram. I have searched high and low on the internet looking for a way to do this and have been unsuccessful.

I know this is possible, I just can't figure it out. It most likely requires editing the "commands.xml" file located in "Program Files>Microsoft Intellipoint" but that file may as well be written in latin, because I can't figure it out. Any tech wizards out there have a solution for me?

I'm going to say this as plainly as I can:
if the notion of editing an xml file or writing custom drivers in [language here] requires a "tech wizard" (hell, the fact that you use that phrase....), this is above and beyond your ability level

not to mention, I'm doubting its as simple as modifying an xml file, it all depends on how the thing is built though (oh, and, unless you've got some fasttrack to Microsoft H/W, you probably aren't getting a good detailed schematic or SDK), what I'm saying is, this may or may not even be possible, I'm guessing it probably isn't, but suffice to say, leave well enough alone here