[nabs-l] Computer keyboard trouble

[Rania]

I am wondering if my control key can work as both in that case because when 
I hold the control key down and use the up or down arrows it changes the 
screene from light to dark.
Rania,
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jacob Struiksma" <lawnmower84 at hotmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 10, 2009 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Computer keyboard trouble


> 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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