FN-CTRL swap on all Lenovo laptops [SOLVED]

I can't find any BIOS for U350 at lenovo's web site. You need to wait for an official BIOS update. I explained everything here.

 

Well I've found many articles saying there will be official BIOS update for switching fn and ctrl - at least for new models. But I couldn't find out anything about when it'll be and if my IdeaPad U350 will be supported. Do you know some website with more information about it?

 

Read this. According to Arimasa Naitoh, vice-president of Development for Lenovo's notebook division, Fn and Ctrl Key Swap feature will be available in new ThinkPads only. Lenovo will not release a BIOS update for the current products.

 

Many thanks for BIOS S10-2 24th versions!
Whether it will be difficult to modernise to you new BIOS S10-2 26th versions?
In advance it is very grateful!

 

I've updated the patch for S10-2. You can download it from the first page.

 

That's exactly what I'm talking about. You wrote "You need to wait for an official BIOS update." but it doesn't seem there will be official BIOS update for my model. Am I wrong? Is there other option to solve this?

 

We simply didn't understand each other .
I can probably make CTRL-FN patch for your laptop but I need an official BIOS. There isn't any U350 BIOS available for downloading. Because I can't get U350 BIOS, there is no way for me to do a modification.
I hope you understand me this time.

 

middleton:
Yeah I do. Well can I help you with that somehow?

 

Read this post. I explained why you have to wait for an official BIOS update there.

 

Thank you very much!!!

 

Well that is a problem... is there any software which can find out the ID? I guess there should be many such programs.

 

The BIOS for Y560 has been updated to version 57... Lenovo Support - Drivers & Downloads If you have some time to do the honor Thanks

 

If you'll find an utility which can read flash memory chip's ID on Intel HM55 Express chipset, then let me know.
I can write such software by myself (Intel provides all the documentation about their chipsets) but I don't have any laptop with HM55 chipset, so there's no way for me to test and debug.
But even if you'll find out ID of flash memory chip, I'm not going to write a flasher for your chip.
The only method available is the following: If your flash chip is the same as in another lenovo laptop, then we can copy platform information from BIOS and paste it into a BIOS dump from your U350.
It's a risky procedure which can easily brick your laptop. But if you agree to risk, then find out flash chip's type and inform me about this.

EDIT: When I told you about HM55 chipset (see above), I meant Intel ICH9-M South Bridge. Simply was thinking about lenovo Y460 at that moment (it's built on HM55 chipset).

Done.

 

It's even more complicated than I could imagine. Read this, relax and wait for the official BIOS update .

 

Ok, thanks.
Is it sure that the official BIOS update will be available for U350?
And what about when it's gonna be?

 

It depends on lenovo only. For example, the first update for IdeaPad Y550 was placed on lenovo's web site only a year later after launching of this laptop. IdeaPad Y530 still doesn't have any BIOS update (two years old model).

Let's do the following: Download "Universal BIOS Backup Toolkit" from here, make a dump of your current BIOS and send it to me ([email protected]). I'll check whether I'm able to patch U350 BIOS. Maybe it'll turn out that patching is impossible and consequently you don't need to wait for lenovo's official BIOS update.

 

Dear Middleton, wanted very much to you, patch BIOS, for Lenovo B450. BUT, there is a small problem at the moment I have with the modified BIOS SLIC 2.1, because OEM license for windows 7.
Attachments: (BIOS, dump Slic 2.1)
Advance many thanks for your work, because Lenovo will not soon patch for changing the position of the keys Fn <=> Ctrl, so I had to write to you.
Sorry for my bad English, because use a translator Google.

 

middleton, you understand Russian?

 

I can't make the patch for B450. It's impossible for me at the moment. If you want to know why, then see my replies to sammykismail here.

In Russian: Если коротко, то я не могу сделать патч для B450, потому что там используется неизвестный мне Embedded Controller. Из-за этого я не могу дизассемблировать прошивку. Поэтому вопрос с B450 окончательно закрыт.

 

Жаль конечно, так возможно глянуть какой стоит Embedded Controller's CPU, ну ладно, все равно спасибо. Вы многих "ленововцев" выручили.

Translation using Google's translate tool:

It is a pity of course, so perhaps glance what is Embedded Controller's CPU, okay, thanks anyway. You have many "lenovovtsev" rescue.

 

Hi,
I'm a fresh T60 user (can't afford a new one *sigh*) and after one week of using it my pinkie hurts from trying to Ctrl+Shift+Tab/F4, which I use quite a lot (programming, Firefox). So I was really happy to have found your post and I am looking forward to updating the BIOS to your version.

I have, however, one humble question:
Is there a chance that you could integrate your BIOS fix into Zenders whitlist BIOS, which allows people to use other Wifi cards besides Lenovo's? A good Wifi card from Lenovo costs ~100€, which more than half of what I paid for my laptop!

I realize that combining both "fixes" effectively doubles the amount of work, but in my case, a BIOS for the T60 would be enough.

Thank you for your time!

Kind regards
Mark

 

It's not a problem at all especially for T60. Check Embedded Controller's version of Zender's whitelist BIOS. This version should be 1.07. If it's so, then you have two options:

- Replace the file *.FL1 in my patch by the same file from Zender's patch. Then flash my patch with "flash.bat" (see the first message of this thread).

OR

- Replace the file *.FL2 in Zender's patch by the same file from my patch. Then flash Zender's patch with "flash.bat".

 

Thank you for your reply! I will have to sit down and *very carefully* figure out what exactly you are talking about so I don't brick the thing. I'm quite afraid of that happening.

I hope it is okay that I come back and ask for more assistance when I run into trouble.

Thanks again!

 

Feel free to send Zender's patch on my email ([email protected]) and I'll make a special version of CTRL-FN + Whitelist patch for you.

 

Alright, I have sent you an email.

 

Hi to everybody.

I've successfully flashed the bios to my LENOVO T500.
Keys CTRL and FN were swapped.

Does exist the way to flash original bios back??

 

Yes. Download the original BIOS and flash it with "flash.bat".

 

Thank you, "way to back" working correctly...

 

any chance you could mod S10-3t new BIOS ?
Appreciated.

 

OK, I've send you an e-mail with download link. Sorry for the delay.

 

I don't know about Lenovo's other models, but the newest ThinkPads have an option in the BIOS to switch the CTRL & FN keys... no modding necessary.

 

Done.

I received your BIOS dump. At first glance it seems I am able to make the CTRL-FN patch. So let's wait for an official BIOS update from Lenovo.
But if you want to risk, then I can embed platform information from U450 into your BIOS dump.

It's good. If I understand you correctly, you advise all owners of IdeaPads and old ThinkPads to throw away their machines and buy a new ThinkPad. Am I right ?

 

Thanks middleton for your work!

I had applied the previous BIOS mod to my Y560, but they have updated the BIOS to 30CN58WW. Your current one is for the "57" series. It was an essential update because of graphic problems on the Y560 and so I went ahead with it.

I love the FN-CTRL swap! It made my laptop a no brainer for gaming and for basic copy and paste functions. Thanks for the help!

 

The patch for Y460 and Y560 has been updated.

 

Hi, there.

I tried out your mod and it worked perfectly..

I just updated to 97 today though, but the mod is now undone? The Fn and Ctrl keys are back to the way they were.

Is this a problem with the mod or the particular update?

 

I'm using 2 laptops at the same time and one of them is a thinkpad. I "accidently" update the bios to version 3.14(official x200s bios) it's the latest version updated 2010-7-8, China only. Different key layouts drive me crazy now Could you help me with that?

 

official x200s V3.14 BIOS download link: http://driverdl.lenovo.com.cn/think/download/driver/dr1224135521337/BIOS32[6duj41us].exe

 

Oops, Sorry about the bad link. Official x200s V3.14 BIOS download: Click Here
my email: [email protected]

 

Sorry but I'm not David Blaine. I can't read your thoughts. Your phrase "I just updated to 97" has zero information for me. You should specify your laptop model if you want me to help you.

I updated the patch for X200, X200s to version 3.14. Download it from the first page and flash with "flash.bat".

 

thanks a lot

 

Ah, sorry. Son't know what I was thinking then.

I'm on a Lenovo S10 and I had updated to bios version 97.

 

this function is very good for me because thinkpad's function key position is not the same as other brands

Thanks for your help

 

I can't find BIOS version 97 for S10 on lenovo's site. Could you give me a link to it?

 

They just changed it to 98 yesterday.
Lenovo Support & downloads - BIOS update utility - IdeaPad S9e, S10e, S10 (MT 4329, 4333)

Maybe that's why..

 

The BIOS patch for S9e, S10e, S10 (MT 4329, 4333) has been updated to version 98. Check the first page.

 

Thank you very much.

Now working perfectly!

 

The link to the Y560 BIOS is down, any chance of a reupload?

Thanks in advance, much appreciated.

EDIT: looks like it was just temporary, it's working now.

 

I am a prospective Lenovo Y560 buyer and the only thing I don't like about the laptop is that the control key and the function key are switched from standard configuration. I am an avid gamer and I would prefer to use the same setup of keyboard that I am familiar with. Sorry if this sounds very petty, but hey SCII requires good use of the control key. I could buy another keyboard, but I would like to know if there is an EZ fix.

 

I've had the asus v1s for a few years now, and I'll be getting the y460 soon. The v1s has the ctrl key in the same alternate position. I hated it as well, but I quickly got used to it. It hasn't hampered my game playing ability at all. You're pinky learns where to go.

EDIT: being moved to this thread makes my mistake sound pretty silly...

 

You should use google or forum search before posting your question .
Here is the link: FN-CTRL swap on all Lenovo laptops [SOLVED]

In most cases you CAN'T fully swap CTRL and FN keys via registry or software.