So I got one of these mini netbooks and its having an annoying problem. There isnt a f-lock key on it, but all of the function keys work as if I am always holding down the "fn" button. For example F4/F5 change the brightness of the screen without me having to hit fn. Does anyone know how to turn this off so the F keys operate like normal? Basically, I want to be able to Alt-F4 haha

9/7/2009 9:57:11 AM

turn off numlock

9/7/2009 11:13:58 AM

based on the color scheme it looks like in order to hit F1-F12 you have to hold down the Fn key. So Alt+F4 is actually Alt+Fn+F4, basically Dell has reversed the usual mechanics of the function keys.

9/7/2009 11:15:07 AM

another good reason to not buy an overpriced dell netbook

9/7/2009 11:28:54 AM

Quote :

"based on the color scheme it looks like in order to hit F1-F12 you have to hold down the Fn key. So Alt+F4 is actually Alt+Fn+F4, basically Dell has reversed the usual mechanics of the function keys."

yep, looks like a design fail

9/7/2009 2:33:05 PM

the more I think about it, the more I wonder what the fuck the Dell designers were thinking. I use alt+F4 more on a laptop than on my desktop because I don't want to fuck around with the trackpad to close windows.

9/7/2009 2:47:41 PM

I'm not sure if Windows has it, but in OS X in the system settings there is an option to switch that on and off.

9/8/2009 7:35:24 PM

No design fail, just lack of google ITT

Quote :

"I just got my 10v yesterday, and I've been acidently turning my wireless off, muting, and changing the brightness of my screen when playing on my 10v. Because I feel the buttons should be swapped. I should have to hit Fn to change brightness. At least I feel that way. Is there a way to do this? I'm sorry if this has been asked before."

Quote :

"You can change it in the BIOS"

Quote :

"Or just download the function key utility from Dell's website that allows you do switch the option in Windows in a matter of a second or two...."

Quote :

"-Make sure you know How To Enter The BIOS before using this set of instructions taken from the Setup Guide for the Inspiron Laptops- You can use the Function Key Behaviour setting in the System Setup (BIOS) utility to configure the media control keys. The options in the Function Key Behaviour setting are: Multimedia Key First - This is the default option. Press any multimedia key directly. For function key, press <Fn> + the required function key. Function Key First - Press any function key directly. For multimedia key, press <Fn> + the required multimedia key. NOTE: Multimedia Key First option is active only in the operating system. During POST, press <F2> or <F12> directly."

9/8/2009 7:45:56 PM

^ I disagree, it IS a case of design fail. Keyboard designers that come up with stuff like this aren't thinking clearly. Computer users are far more likely to use function keys than they are to use special function keys. If you design a product with a function that makes it harder to do a commonplace task, you fail at designing.

9/8/2009 9:12:55 PM

^did you even read? It's configurable in multiple different places.

And lemme tell you from mountains of experience, the # of people who use function key mappings is TINY compared to people who rely on the "special" function keys.

It's not even close. Alt-F4, F5 and F1 are the only general windows function key mappings I've ever seen used with any regularity.

9/8/2009 10:19:02 PM

Yeah consider dell's primary 'mini-notebook' market.

I CAN HAS FUNCTION KEY?

As long as it is a simple change in the bios and the slight stretch with respect to a downloadable utility I see no problem in switching the default functions.

And if you really want some trollfood, QWERTY in and of itself is a modern day design fail/shortcomming. DVORAK anyone?

[Edited on September 8, 2009 at 10:59 PM. Reason : ]

9/8/2009 10:56:51 PM