[nabs-l] Computer keyboard trouble

[Jacob Struiksma]

This key is on all laptop computers FN is function key.  The function key
plus other keys allow you to do things on the laptop computer.  On my Dell
laptop if I press FN the function key and either up or town arrow keys the
screen display changes from bright to dark.
From
Jacob Struiksma
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Rania
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 12:44 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Computer keyboard trouble

That's interesting. I have a dell labtop and have never herd of an FN key
before.
Rania,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 9:40 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Computer keyboard trouble


> Sydney,
>
> Most laptops have the ability to have the keys you mentioned used as a 
> sort of numeric pad.  You almost certainly accidentally turned this 
> feature on by accident.
> How this feature is activated varies some from computer to computer.  
> It is even different between models from the same company.  For 
> example, different models of Dell computers are different.  However, 
> here is an overview of how it generally works.
>
> Usually a laptop has an "FN" key which is a sort of shift key that 
> makes your keyboard behave differently when the key is held down.  It 
> acts as sort of another shift key.  Normally, it provides access to 
> keys that may not be on your physical keyboard and it also controls 
> laptop functions as well.  For example, on my Dell laptop, pressing 
> the LEFT and RIGHT ARROWS with the FN key down makes them act as PGUP 
> and PGDN.  The UP and DOWN ARROW keys with the FN key held down make 
> my screen brighter or darker.  When I hold down my FN key, the keys 
> you mention become a numeric keypad, but normally they return to 
> normal when I let it up.
>
> Generally, the FN key pressed with function keys controls a number of 
> laptop functions and particular keys.  Unless you can see your screen 
> or have someone handy to look at it, I wouldn't experiment with these 
> because there is usually one that turns off the sound.  However, one 
> of these function keys, together with the FN key, likely acts as a NUM 
> LOCK key.  In the case of a laptop, this NUM LOCK key turns on the use 
> of the keys you mention as a numeric pad even when the FN key is not 
> pressed.
>
> If you have your manual or know the exact model number of your 
> computer, you need to find out which key combination creates the NUM LOCK
key.
> There may be
> a manual on your computer.  Finding that combination and pressing it 
> again should correct it.  If you remember when it started, you might 
> be able to make an educated guess as to what you pressed.  Still, your 
> best bet is to know for certain if you can find the documentation.  On 
> my computer, the NUM LOCK key is emulated by FN with F4.  I can 
> accidentally hit this combination when pressing CONTROL F4, for 
> example sinct CNTRL is right next to my FN key.
> I use that as an
> example, though, don't assume it is F4 on your computer.  <smile>
>
> I hope this background helps you find an answer.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve Jacobson
>
> On Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:10:24 -0500, Sydney Walker Freedman wrote:
>
>>Greetings!
>
>>For some reason, my laptop keyboard is acting strange.  I do not have 
>>it set to laptop mode and have a num pad connected to it.  However, 
>>the letters m, j, i, u, etc. are registering as numbers even when JAWS 
>>is off.  I can't type anything properly because of this problem.
>>Nothing seems to be awry in any keyboard settings, so I have no idea 
>>why this is happening or how I can fix it.  (At least I have a 
>>BrailleNote. :) ) Any thoughts?  Thanks!
>
>>Pax,
>>Sydney
>
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>
>
>
>
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