Dell inspiron/studio media keys

Hi guys,

Is there a way to disable the media keys so that the F-keys function as they should without requiring the Fn key to be pressed? Or have the keys require Fn pressed to act as media keys instead?

Thanks!

 

There should be an option in your BIOS settings. Reboot, press F2 to enter the BIOS.

 

Does the setting in the bios only disable the media keys or does it disable the function keys for standby, hibernate, wifi as well?

 

It doesn't disable anything; it just reverses the buttons' functionality. By default, they act as media keys and require you to hold Fn to use them as F-keys. When you change the setting, it allows them to work as F-keys by default and requires you to hold Fn to use their alternate functions (media controls, disk eject, brightness, etc.)

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

You are most welcome.

 

Interesting. On my roommate's Studio 1555, the media keys work without function. Right out of the box.

I though it was strange at first, but I like not having to press FN for them to work.

 

That's the point, by default, they function as media keys (playback control, volume, disk eject, brightness, etc.), and require the Fn key to function as F1-F12 keys. Changing the BIOS setting makes this the opposite: by default they act as plain old F1-F12, and require the Fn key to be held in order to function as media keys.

 

Yeah, I guess the default setting makes sense for most people. It's just that I use a lot of the F shortcut keys on the applications that I use. I just wanted to make sure there was a way to restore the normal functionality of the F keys before I purchase the laptop.

 

Also, once Quickset is installed you can change the settings without going into the BIOS, but instead just by going into the Windows Mobility Centre (windows key + X). I don't know if this works in Vista, but I know it does in Windows 7.

 

That's pretty neat. It doesn't appear to be an option on my Studio 1555 (Vista), although it does have some other neat controls, like keyboard backlighting and such.