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    function key alternative on usb keyboard ?

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by doggyplop, Jul 22, 2011.

  1. doggyplop

    doggyplop Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi all,
    im using an external usb keyboard on acer aspire 5741a, but no way to emulate the function key (fn) ?

    its inconvenient cos i have the acer tucked under my bed whilst its connected to lcd tv via hdmi, and when the thing boots up it always starts up using the laptop panel, even though the previous shutdown or hibernate was done whilst laptop panel off and tv as main display.

    so to get display on tv i have to open the laptop lid and press fn+f5 twice.

    if only i could do this on the usb keyboard, that would be dandy.

    ive checked acer support site but no mention on how to do this, and a google session has left me pessimistic cos no one seems to have a solution.

    im hoping this forum has the answer, it has solved my probs before and is the best acer resource on the net, lots of gigantic brains !

    cheers
     
    doggyplop, Jul 22, 2011
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  2. .NetRolller 3D

    .NetRolller 3D Notebook Deity

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    You can make the external display primary in the Windows display control panel (assuming you are using Windows).
     
    .NetRolller 3D, Jul 22, 2011
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  3. doggyplop

    doggyplop Notebook Enthusiast

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    i would love to do that, but the option to do so is greyed out (not availiable), the only option availiable is to extend desktop.

    maybe the graphics card is not good enough to support this ?

    cheers
     
    doggyplop, Jul 22, 2011
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  4. .NetRolller 3D

    .NetRolller 3D Notebook Deity

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    Fist, you need to extend your desktop. Then, once the external screen is turned on, you can make it primary.
     
    .NetRolller 3D, Jul 23, 2011
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  5. *Yawn*...God?

    *Yawn*...God? Notebook Guru

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    I know when trying to run Crisis bios recovery thingy, one needs to push Fn + Esc. How would one manage this with a USB keyboard (I removed my laptop's keyboard because of "stuck keys" issues) lacking the Fn key? Is there no workaround, and I would just have to use a USB keyboard with the Fn key?
     
    *Yawn*...God?, Jul 23, 2011
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  6. doggyplop

    doggyplop Notebook Enthusiast

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    yes, you see the problem then.

    ive googled for 3 days now, and there is no way to emulate fn key on an external keyboard.

    AND, you cannot buy an external usb keyboard with a fn key (every laptop has its own hardware fn key anyway, so unless an external keyboard was designed for a specific laptop, it would be useless).

    im sick to death of laptop manufacturers (and manufacturers of all electronic stuff) throwing obstacles in the way of users, the lack of foresight by manufacturers (and microsoft) is staggering.

    oh, and win xp HAS NO HOTKEY for External display options, aaarrgh.
     
    doggyplop, Jul 26, 2011
    #6