Starting a VM using a shortcut key

[JohnAGonzalezFL]

I have a MacBook Pro, OSX Leopard, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, Core2Duo processor. I have been using VirtualBox for a couple of years now and am currently running 4.1.4, the latest version. The previous version allowed me to start a VM with the key command Command+O, which was very handy. It was not documented and it was not on the pulldown menu, it just worked. And now it doesn't. That key has now been mapped to "Clone". This, of course, is not at all what I wish to do and I am finding it difficult to break an old habit.

I'm a fairly keyboard-driven person on the computer and would rather not have to use the pointer if it's not necessary. It's probably because I've been using computers since the TRS-80 days. In any case, does anyone know of a new keyboard shortcut to start a VM? Are there plans to permanently map a key combination to the start function? Is this thing on? I know that what I am asking is probably pretty trivial, but there are key commands to stop the VM, manage a VM, copy a VM. I'm just wondering if there is one out there to make this little piece work a little more to my past liking. If not, then I'll have to resort to rodent tracking. In any case, I'll still be using VirtualBox.

Thanks.

[theDaniel]

Mac OS X does not have a built-in feature like in the Mac OS era, however there are a few freeware applications available:
Sparks http://www.shadowlab.org/Software/spark.php I find Sparks works pretty fair, though it could be a little more intuitive.
Global Hotkey http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/Softw ... tkey.shtml Is another one, I can't vouch for it, but it does offer one-key shortcuts.

-Daniel

[Freedomcoach]

John, another good option is iKey. Are you familiar with it?

Using iKey by Script Software (see http://www.plumamazing.com/mac/ikey/) you can assign a key command to the start item on the machine menu in VB. You can also use iKey to create a sequence consisting of one command to launch VB and the second command to start the VM. This should be pretty easy to do. PM me if you have any questions. I'm happy to help.

[theDaniel]

The previous version allowed me to start a VM with the key command Command+O, which was very handy. It was not documented and it was not on the pulldown menu, it just worked. And now it doesn't. That key has now been mapped to "Clone". This, of course, is not at all what I wish to do and I am finding it difficult to break an old habit.

John, please pardon my slowness... I misunderstood your question.

You can get that Cmd+O back by opening (in Leopard, if memory serves, it's) the keyboard tab of the Mouse and Keyboard pane in System Preferences. You can assign any any menu item you want a keyboard shortcut. So, menu item Start in the Machine menu can be changed to Cmd+O. Take note that you should change the keyboard shortcut for Clone to something else first.

-Daniel