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    Noob question for R4

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by mrflash23, Nov 22, 2012.

  1. mrflash23

    mrflash23 Notebook Enthusiast

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    or i dont know if this is possible or not, but is there a way to disable FN key, so that i could use the function keys regularly , like if i want to turn up the brightness i wont have to press the FN key everytime, is there a way to do this?
     
    mrflash23, Nov 22, 2012
    #1
  2. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    Erm, I don't get it. If the function worked without the FN press, the base function of that key would be of no use in any other application.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Chris_c81, Nov 22, 2012
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  3. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    This.

    You would lose the functionality of the F keys.

    Or did you mean set the Fn key to toggle?
     
    ratchetnclank, Nov 22, 2012
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  4. DDDenniZZZ

    DDDenniZZZ Notebook Deity

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    I think it migh be in the bios not sure if you can do it on the r4, my old dell netbook the brightness is controlled without fn key but f5 needs fn key
     
    DDDenniZZZ, Nov 22, 2012
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  5. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    Like a reverse switch? Interesting.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Chris_c81, Nov 22, 2012
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  6. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    Look into KeyTweak:
    KeyTweak - Download

    It allows you to remap keys to certain, predefined functions. I don't think brightness is one of the options though. For my Sony VAIO F, it allowed me to adjust volume by pressing F4, instead of Fn+F4.
     
    anseio, Nov 23, 2012
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  7. Chris_c81

    Chris_c81 Notebook Consultant

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    How does it work if you need to use F4 within an application?

    Maybe it's just me, but I'm struggling to see any inconvenience in pushing the FN button as well!? Adding a bit of software to your running processes just to negate pushing FN seems wasteful!


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    Chris_c81, Nov 23, 2012
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  8. mariussx

    mariussx Notebook Evangelist

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    IMG_1211.JPG

    Just change the FN key behavior in BIOS, see picture attached.
     
    mariussx, Nov 23, 2012
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  9. chrisjohnharden

    chrisjohnharden Notebook Geek

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    There should be a bios setting for this, or at least there is on my R3.

    Edit: mariussx beat me to it.
     
    chrisjohnharden, Nov 23, 2012
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  10. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    It remaps the key. There would be no F4 anymore. It's not a running process. It makes a registry adjustment on the next reboot that remaps the key.

    The question was asked... I offered a possible option. Some machines have very limited BIOS options - see Sony VAIO F Series from a few years ago.
     
    anseio, Nov 23, 2012
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  11. DDDenniZZZ

    DDDenniZZZ Notebook Deity

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    Tried using it do brightness was controlled by f4 without fn, not a big fan of it since if I hit f1 it would go into sleep/suspend. If I needed f2 etc you would just have to press fn+f2, just basically inverted. Each to their own I suppose, at least its nice to know its possible :)
     
    DDDenniZZZ, Nov 23, 2012
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  12. mrflash23

    mrflash23 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks guys, on my dell inspiron 17r, i could easily switch off the FN key with a key on the keyboard, so if i wanted to use the multimedia functions then i can easily, sometimes i just want to use the multimedia keys without me having to press the FN key, me personally i never do use the funcntion keys, like just the F1 an it doesnt effect my workflow thanks guys
     
    mrflash23, Nov 23, 2012
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  13. nickolaughagus

    nickolaughagus Newbie

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    Hey Chris I was on another thread of yours where you mentioned getting your gpu fixed for free out of warranty...How did you manage to get Dell to do that? I am 1 year outside of my warranty and my 580m just failed on me while playing watch dogs. I have kept the laptop in great condition so I feel as though this is not my fault at all. The laptop is only 2 years old anyways... I have called and called to no avail. They dont even have the parts for my laptop they say...
     
    nickolaughagus, Aug 12, 2014
    #13