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Inspiron blue FN keys don't work
I bought a used Inspiron 8100. After formatting the hard drive and reloading XP professional from the original disks the computer is working perfectly except for thr blue FN keys,. I have searched the operating system disk, Dell and Microsoft but cannot find the driver. Does anybody know where this is available.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?I'm pretty sure the drivers are included with XP.
A little bird told me to have you check the bottom screws. One may be loose or missing. -
Inappropriate?Hi John,
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately this did not solve the problem. Everybody tells me the drivers are on the XP Disk, but believe me thay are not there, i have checked every folder and file to no avail.
Mike
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?You won't *see* drivers on the disk. The native keyboard software installed with XP supports the fn function of notebook keyboards. Searching for the drivers will disappoint you, because you won't actually *find* them.
If your fn key isn't working, there is no special driver file that will make it work. The driver is native, much like your CD Rom or your basic Windows VGA driver for monitors.
Have you checked the bottom screws to make sure they're all tight and in place? If that doesn't work, you may want to run the keyboard diagnostics by booting to the drivers and utillities CD supplied with your system. The keyboard may be flaking out. -
Inappropriate?Hi John, I have checked the screws again, all tight. Then ran the diagnostic disk and all is well, Keeps coming back that "This device is working properly".
However, something I noticed, when I go to the control panel and then to keyboard and hardware, it says "Std 101/102 key or MS natural keyboard".
Would this not seem to be the wrong keyboard description, thus the reason it does everything but the FN keys.
I thought about deleteing it but was too nervous as to what to do afterward if the keyboard stops functioning altogether.
Thanks for helping,
Mike
I’m confused
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Inappropriate?I would try deleting that entry and rebooting the system. It won't hurt anything, and it just might help :-)
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Inappropriate?Hi John,
I deleted the keyboard information and it forced a reboot, it then "found new hardware" and when it came up I looked and it had loaded the same keyboard information. I know the keys are working because the non-FN function on the respective keys works. I'm not sure where to go next, time to regroup. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
Mike
I’m confused
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Inappropriate?On page 4 of the BIOS, try toggling the numlock settings to the other setting (whatever it isn't set to currently) and seeing if that helps.
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Inappropriate?Hi John,
You are a star!!!!. I turned the numlock off, rebooted and it saved the setting and came up with numlock off, then toggled the key, it seemd to respond, then tried scroll lock (the FN function on the scroll lock key) and it worked!!!!. So, I went trying others and they all work now. Thank you!, Thank you!, Thank you!, Thank you!, for helping me with each step, I really appreciate it. I don't understand what changed but, way to go.! A very happy old guy in frigid MN.
regards,
Mike
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?My pleasure. Stay warm in the north country! I know how cold it is up there, because I lived there for a couple of years. It was long enough to convince me I belonged in Texas.
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