Solve : "fn" key - Number Pad? – InterviewSolution

1.	Solve : "fn" key - Number Pad?
Answer» I just purchased a Lenovo T61p. I would like to know if it is possible to set the "FN" key so that it can be used to activate the number pad keys. On my old laptop (a Dell Inspiron 700m), pressing and holding the "fn" key would activate the number pad. For example, if I pressed and held "fn", then pressed the "u" key, I would type a "4". The instant I let go of the "fn" key, the "u" key returns to normal. On the Lenovo T61p, the only way (that I can find) to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock. For me, this is a slow and cumbersome PROCESS (it requires pressing "fn" + ScrollLock, or Shift + ScrollLock). It is a hassle to toggle NumLock on and off quickly. Is there a way I can set the T61p so that the "fn" key can activate the number pad keys, as I have described above? I have tried various third-party keyboard remapping programs, but NOTHING has worked so far. From what I've gathered, the "fn" key is special and is not treated the same way as other keys are. However, I'm holding out hope because unlike many people, I am not trying to remap the "fn" key (i.e., to swap it with CTRL). Rather, I simply wish to extend the use of the "fn" key, if you will. Any help or insight you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote the only way.....to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock Doesn't your computer start with NumLock on? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 12:34:53 PM Quote the only way.....to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock Doesn't your computer start with NumLock on? Incidentally, no it doesn't start with NumLock on... but that isn't the issue. If all I wanted was to activate NumLock and keep it on, I wouldn't mind doing so once each time at startup. However, what I'm in search for is a way to toggle the numpad on and off quickly. The quickest way to do that is to have some key (like the "fn" key) function like a shift key for the numpad. Currently, to get the numpad, I have to: 1) Press Shift+ScrLock OR Fn+ScrlLock 2) Type the key (i.e., press "u" and get a "4") 3) Press Shift+ScrLock OR Fn+ScrlLock AGAIN to deactivate the NumLock so I can get my normal "u" back. What I'd like is: 1) Press and hold Fn key 2) Type the key (i.e., press "u" and get a "4") 3) Simply release the Fn key to get my normal "u" back. I know this seems like such a minor issue, but trust me, pressing Fn+ScrlLock twice is a lot slower than holding and releasing Fn alone.I still don't understand... Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? It's just one key to press in order to activate/deactivate numeric pad. Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 12:50:35 PM I still don't understand... Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? It's just one key to press in order to activate/deactivate numeric pad. Actually, it's 2 keys to press. Either Shift+ScrollLock, or Fn+ScrollLock. Also, I have to press this combination to activate and deactivate. So, if I want to type: "u4u" the sequence would be: 1) u key 2) Shift+ScrollLock 3) u key 4) Shift+ScrollLock 5) u key But what I'd like to be able to do is: 1) u key 2) press/hold Fn 3) u key 4) release Fn 5) u key The really important part is step 4) in each case. It is much faster if I can just keep one finger on the Fn key and use it like a shift key. Also, the Shift and Fn keys are far away from the ScrollLock key, which makes that method all the more slower. EDIT: Also, the only reason I ask is because I had this functionality on my old laptop (albeit, a different brand). I can only ask one more time: Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 01:04:49 PM I can only ask one more time: Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? I'm sorry, I don't mean to be confusing or unclear. My NumLock key does work, but I do not want to use it. I'm in search of a faster way to toggle the numpad on/off.Maybe it's me, but I don't understand how pressing TWO keys is faster, then pressing ONE. Maybe, I'm tired, that's all Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 01:10:42 PM Maybe it's me, but I don't understand how pressing TWO keys is faster, then pressing ONE. Maybe, I'm tired, that's all That's exactly it... pressing two keys (Shift+ScrollLock) is slower. (The ScrollLock is the same as the NumLock key). That's why I do not want to use that key. I'd like to have the Fn key work as a shift for the numpad. Either way, I have to press the numpad key to get a number. So, that button gets pressed no matter what. It's a question of pressing Shift+ScrollLock and then the key I want, or pressing the Fn key and then the key I want. So you are correct: I want to press ONE key, not TWO. (I also want to DISABLE the numlock by simply releasing a key, rather than having to press the same TWO Shift+ScrollLock keys again.)If you haven't had any success with keyboard remapping software this could mean that your FN key cant be remapped. From what I've read, the FN key on some laptops is a so called "Hardware level key". This means that the key is monitored by the firmware of the laptop and it's not accessible to windows. But you may want to check out this utility: http://www.autohotkey.com/ and the forum post explaining the hardware level key http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/topic298.htmlBroni: I just realized why I may have confused you. On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key. "NumLock" is activated by pressing Shift+ScrollLock, OR Fn+ScrollLock. That's why that method requires pressing TWO keys for me. Sorry about that. Deerpark: Thank you for the links, especially to the forum post. I did TRY AutoHotKey the other day, with no success. However, the forum thread you linked to go into the program in further detail... and I will investigate their suggestions. Thanks! Quote On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key Here we go....LOLYou're welcome and be sure to keep us posted if you make any progress. NumLock can be turned on in quite a few BIOS's...have you checked this out yet ? ? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 02:07:36 PM Quote On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key Here we go....LOL I have the same situation on a Compaq Notebook PC I purchased 3 months ago. Apparently, it's a common limitation of laptops/notebooks. But, I can't see the significance of your question, arthurliu. On my Compaq, enabling the NumLock, via the "fn" key, seems to make no difference in how the number keys across the top of the keyboard work. What do those keys do on your laptop if you don't enable NumLock?

Solve : "fn" key - Number Pad?

Answer»

I just purchased a Lenovo T61p. I would like to know if it is possible to set the "FN" key so that it can be used to activate the number pad keys.

On my old laptop (a Dell Inspiron 700m), pressing and holding the "fn" key would activate the number pad. For example, if I pressed and held "fn", then pressed the "u" key, I would type a "4". The instant I let go of the "fn" key, the "u" key returns to normal.

On the Lenovo T61p, the only way (that I can find) to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock. For me, this is a slow and cumbersome PROCESS (it requires pressing "fn" + ScrollLock, or Shift + ScrollLock). It is a hassle to toggle NumLock on and off quickly.

Is there a way I can set the T61p so that the "fn" key can activate the number pad keys, as I have described above?

I have tried various third-party keyboard remapping programs, but NOTHING has worked so far. From what I've gathered, the "fn" key is special and is not treated the same way as other keys are. However, I'm holding out hope because unlike many people, I am not trying to remap the "fn" key (i.e., to swap it with CTRL). Rather, I simply wish to extend the use of the "fn" key, if you will.

Any help or insight you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote

the only way.....to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock

Doesn't your computer start with NumLock on? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 12:34:53 PM

Quote
the only way.....to activate the number pad keys is to turn on NumLock
Doesn't your computer start with NumLock on?

Incidentally, no it doesn't start with NumLock on... but that isn't the issue. If all I wanted was to activate NumLock and keep it on, I wouldn't mind doing so once each time at startup. However, what I'm in search for is a way to toggle the numpad on and off quickly. The quickest way to do that is to have some key (like the "fn" key) function like a shift key for the numpad.

Currently, to get the numpad, I have to:

1) Press Shift+ScrLock OR Fn+ScrlLock
2) Type the key (i.e., press "u" and get a "4")
3) Press Shift+ScrLock OR Fn+ScrlLock AGAIN to deactivate the NumLock so I can get my normal "u" back.

What I'd like is:
1) Press and hold Fn key
2) Type the key (i.e., press "u" and get a "4")
3) Simply release the Fn key to get my normal "u" back.

I know this seems like such a minor issue, but trust me, pressing Fn+ScrlLock twice is a lot slower than holding and releasing Fn alone.I still don't understand...
Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? It's just one key to press in order to activate/deactivate numeric pad. Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 12:50:35 PM

I still don't understand...
Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? It's just one key to press in order to activate/deactivate numeric pad.

Actually, it's 2 keys to press. Either Shift+ScrollLock, or Fn+ScrollLock. Also, I have to press this combination to activate and deactivate. So, if I want to type: "u4u" the sequence would be:

1) u key
2) Shift+ScrollLock
3) u key
4) Shift+ScrollLock
5) u key

But what I'd like to be able to do is:

1) u key
2) press/hold Fn
3) u key
4) release Fn
5) u key

The really important part is step 4) in each case. It is much faster if I can just keep one finger on the Fn key and use it like a shift key. Also, the Shift and Fn keys are far away from the ScrollLock key, which makes that method all the more slower.

EDIT: Also, the only reason I ask is because I *had* this functionality on my old laptop (albeit, a different brand). I can only ask one more time:
Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 01:04:49 PM

I can only ask one more time:
Your NumLock key doesn't work, or what?

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be confusing or unclear. My NumLock key does work, but I do not want to use it. I'm in search of a faster way to toggle the numpad on/off.Maybe it's me, but I don't understand how pressing TWO keys is faster, then pressing ONE.
Maybe, I'm tired, that's all Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 01:10:42 PM

Maybe it's me, but I don't understand how pressing TWO keys is faster, then pressing ONE.
Maybe, I'm tired, that's all

That's exactly it... pressing two keys (Shift+ScrollLock) is slower. (The ScrollLock is the same as the NumLock key). That's why I do not want to use that key. I'd like to have the Fn key work as a shift for the numpad. Either way, I have to press the numpad key to get a number. So, that button gets pressed no matter what. It's a question of pressing Shift+ScrollLock and then the key I want, or pressing the Fn key and then the key I want. So you are correct: I want to press ONE key, not TWO.

(I also want to DISABLE the numlock by simply *releasing* a key, rather than having to press the same TWO Shift+ScrollLock keys again.)If you haven't had any success with keyboard remapping software this could mean that your FN key cant be remapped. From what I've read, the FN key on some laptops is a so called "Hardware level key". This means that the key is monitored by the firmware of the laptop and it's not accessible to windows.

But you may want to check out this utility:
http://www.autohotkey.com/

and the forum post explaining the hardware level key
http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/topic298.htmlBroni: I just realized why I may have confused you. On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key. "NumLock" is activated by pressing Shift+ScrollLock, OR Fn+ScrollLock. That's why that method requires pressing TWO keys for me. Sorry about that.

Deerpark: Thank you for the links, especially to the forum post. I did TRY AutoHotKey the other day, with no success. However, the forum thread you linked to go into the program in further detail... and I will investigate their suggestions. Thanks! Quote

On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key

Here we go....LOLYou're welcome and be sure to keep us posted if you make any progress. NumLock can be turned on in quite a few BIOS's...have you checked this out yet ? ? Quote from: Broni on October 15, 2007, 02:07:36 PM

Quote
On the Lenovo t61p, there IS NO dedicated NumLock key
Here we go....LOL

I have the same situation on a Compaq Notebook PC I purchased 3 months ago. Apparently, it's a common limitation of laptops/notebooks.

But, I can't see the significance of your question, arthurliu. On my Compaq, enabling the NumLock, via the "fn" key, seems to make no difference in how the number keys across the top of the keyboard work. What do those keys do on your laptop if you don't enable NumLock?

Solve : "fn" key - Number Pad?

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

Reply to Comment