Swapping the FN & CTRL keys?

So I've read that the only way to do it is either through a physical modification OR a BIOS addition. I can't imagine it would be too hard for Gateway to implement a simple function that allows us to swap these keys and it is really bothering me that FN key is on the bottom right.

Unless anyone knows of a better way, do you think we with our masses of P series users could petition Gateway to write us a BIOS update to address this issue?

 

or...you could get over it and use the keys as labeled.

 

easier said then done. right now im using a wireless keyboard with a tiny trackpad as a mouse, and the fn and ctrl are switched around. its like hell. i couldnt stand it so i took out the fn key so it would stop locking different functions

 

That's never an option!

 

So..you'd rather be tapping the control key accidentally? Then 7811 isn't a small keyobard, and the FN or Ctrl key never got in the way of my typing.. What I am asking, is if the world should change to make him smile?

 

accidently hiting ctrl doesnt do anything
on the other hand, hitting fn and lets say the windows key, will show desktop just by pressing d, or open run window by pressing r. might not be as bad on a lappy.

ps sorry for lack of grammar and punctuation. my shift key fell out

 

I despise the FN/CTRL thing, I use ctrl shortcuts a lot and the FN is where my dang control key should be as I always use the left control key...

 

Only gotta move your pinky an extra 2cm.. you can handle it

 

Hmm I don't really have a problem with it.
But I do have ONE..
in some FPS games (L4D for example) you need Ctrl to go to Prone. Problem is I ALWAYS end up pressing the Windows key when going for Ctrl quickly, causing the games to minimize and end up getting killed in the game because of it
Also for people that use to use the Ctrl in games such as CoD4, i've found these controls to be natural to the hand without using Ctrl:
WASD as the movement controls (of course).
Mouse scroll wheel = Frag.
F key = Melee (knife)
G key = Smoke/Stun/Flash nade.
Left Shift = Sprint.
Space = Jump.
C = Crouch.
Left Alt = Prone.
R = Reload

Pretty nice :] (Also if you have an extra thumb button on your mouse, might be smart to use it as your melee)

 

I like the left ctrl for prone.. just cause my keys aren't flipped

 

Haha, with the flipped keys you end up pressing the FN key when trying to go to prone, and as you know when your in a gun war in CoD4 or something your trying to get to prone as fast as you can when necessary, so you end up hitting the windows key, which makes the start menu come up and your game minimize, and you die So I've found it to be so much nicer to use Left Alt as prone and hit with your thumb (I rest my thumb on the space bar when gaming so a quick bend of the thumb and its so easy to hit the left alt with the tip of your thumb). So I suggest everyone with the swapped keys to try it :]

 

I just did not expect it to be as big of an issue as I thought. My main problem is mainly when I'm doing windows shortcuts such as cut copy paste that I make the screw up. I actually haven't used the laptop to play any games yet. Rather I got the system primarily for the high resolution screen to do some development work so copying and pasting all the code and missing the key a bunch has been rather bothersome.

Its just that i can't possibly imagine the "fix" to be extraordinarily difficult as compared to say adding overclocking or something of the sort.

 

Well.. I'm sure there's some macro/keyboard remapping software out there, whereas you can download it and then remap your keys to perform different functions. Have you googled "Keyboard remapping" or anything of the like? Seems like it would be easy, if you put forth some effort.

 

sorry to double post.. but I just saved you the time of typing in www.google.com - Anyhow, here's KeyTweak; It's a simple GUI to remap what your keyboard does. Looks like it's quite simple, and also looks quite functional. You can change any key to perform any function.

http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/

Lemme know how it works.

 

I suspect it won't work at all...

 

funny how the p-6831fx released approx. 1yr ago (give or take a few weeks). feels like 2008 again.

all new (yet old) threads can be answered approx. 1yr ago... with the help of search or google.

but to answer this question, people have tried talking to brick walls to create a new bios and yet no fix or mod can swap the 2.

 

Yeah..I did research old threads, but the point this one in my original hope although I was pretty crappy at expressing it, was to unite all of us together who demand a BIOS fix together and maybe find someone with a some contacts at Gateway to express that we would really like this change. If they don't hear it, then they would never fix it.

I know there isn't a easy software fix and probably without some inside details, can't write a new BIOS as well.

 

The FN key is tied directly to BIOS. There's no way to remap it. I personally use an USB keyboard whenever I game as I keybind a lot of actions to L Ctrl and L Ctrl + another key (like to form a tactical group in RTS games).

 

I use ctrl for crouch and its really annoying it not being where its suppose to be. I don't have any problems hitting the win key on my desktop, but because of the fact that I'm looking for ctrl when I play I tend to hit win more often on my notebook. USB keyboard is a fix, not solution since I can't throw a keyboard into my backpack always (kind defeats the purpose of the notebook).

 

Well I've been using my own way to keep my computer as like-new as possible.
I use the Gateway keyboard cover that came with packaging (The black one that has the Gateway logo and the cutouts for the hooks of the screen when closed) And put a cheapo keyboard on top of it so the laptop is the same size as without an external keyboard. I use my external G5 mouse always so no need to for touchpad, though if your a toucpad user just fold the black keyboard cover in half. Or don't use it at all.
Anyway, by doing this, theres some pro''s.
Keyboard remains like-new.
Mousepad remains like-new.
Wristrest gets no wear-and-tear marks, mines still spotless.
I keep the media keys lights off now that they're covered anyway and so keeping them like new as well.
The Ctrl key is back where I like it with the external keyboard on top.
And it doesn't effect the heat like I thought it would by covering the area.

Pretty happy with it

 

has any one found a fix to remap the fn key? Keymappers don't seem to work, but i did use them to disable my "windows" key and the capslock. Some people say it isn't a big deal, but this will be a deal-breaker for me on any future notebook, plus i don't like having the numeric keyboard, because i'm used to having my body centered on the screen... (i never use the numeric keyboard anyway....)

MAYBE I CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE KEYBOARD? = )