FN-CTRL swap on all Lenovo laptops [SOLVED]

Don't even try to flash BIOS from other lenovo laptop.

Firstly, update utility won't allow flashing on improper platform.
Secondly, even if you'll manage to flash, you'll definitely get bricked laptop.

Note, I don't say that FN-CTRL patch for G460/G560 is impossible. I just mean that this work is impossible for me. You need someone who has more experience in BIOS modding than me.

 

Middleton,

I have read the entire thread and have been searching the Internet for a bios update for the Lenovo 3000 V100 (0763-2LU) but have not been able to find one.

If you have any ideas, I would love to know as the FN key is bugging me

 

It's very strange. When I type three words in google: 3000 V100 bios, the first result is a link to BIOS Update (Bootable CD).

As for CTRL-FN patch, I'll answer you later. Watch this thread.

 

Hi all...
Middleton, could you perhaps update your patch for y560. the new bios update contain some fixes for problems a lot of y560 user had with their notebooks.
and thanks a lot for the work, really appreciate it. You rock man!!

Lenovo Support - Drivers & Downloads

 

I got used to switched Fn-Ctrl keys on Lenovo keyboards so I dont even want to swap them on my ThinkPad, rather I would like to do so on my desktop keyboard

 

I looked at Lenovo 3000 V100 BIOS. I can't make FN-CTRL patch for this machine. Sorry.

Done.

 

Hi Middleton,

Can you please kindly add that functionality to U350? The official BIOS can be downloaded here:

Lenovo Support - Drivers & Downloads

Also, there is a U350 modded bios to tweak fan speed that you (?) have released on Lenovo Forums. I found it working wonderfully for me. Can you add the CTRL+Fn swapping functionality on top of that modded BIOS too?

It's here: Ideapad U350 Fan Control / Speed - Page 8 - Lenovo Community

Thanks a bunch.

PS: BTW, I have something to ask you about the Phoenix BIOS. I would like to inject/replace the stock PXE with the PXE rom I have. Is that possible? If it is, can you help me doing that? I really, really appreciate it. Please let me know how can I contact you as I can't send PM.

 

I'll definitely upload CTRL-FN patch for U350 very soon. I just want to wait for U350 owners' reaction on my fan speed BIOS mod. If everything is OK and comments are positive, then I'll combine fan speed mod with CTRL-FN swap.

If you want to contact me, see my email in this post.

 

Thank you very much... you just made my day brighter sir

 

Hello,
I was really excited when I see the title of this topic!
This was the improvement I want on my Lenovo X300.
However, there is no X300 modified bios file in this topic, not a line about a X300 either!
Do you know if this is will be available in the future.
And, anyway, thanks for your works.

 

The patch for X300 was created three months ago. You can find it here.

Along with CTRL-FN patch, you'll get full SATA-II speed, disabled wireless whitelist and SLIC 2.1 table.

 

may i ask middleton

what is problem for s12 to patch?

 

There are three S12 versions according to lenovo's web site:

- Intel-based;
- NVIDIA-based;
- VIA-based;

Only VIA S12 BIOS is available for downloading at the moment. But I have a BIOS dump from NVIDIA S12.
These notebooks have Embedded Controller's firmware written by Insyde Software Corp. I don't know how to disassemble this code. It's impossible to create the patch without code analysis.

 

Waoow! I will try it soon.
I've never made the bios update the windows way, I really like the old-fashion bootable's iso way.
I hope it's not dangerous.

Or is there a choice?

 

You can find ISO CD-image in the X300 archive.

 

Just so you know, the new Y560's are shipping with BIOS v62, so you may want to hold off until you can edit v62.

 

what is the problem for patch the x200t bios ?
thank you
jorge

 

Already answered. Use search in this thread.

 

Is there a patch for U165?

 

Guys, you should check lenovo's website first. The rule is simple: no official BIOS update - no CTRL-FN patch.

 

Sorry I haven't read all the 20 pages of this thread, what do you mean by "no official BIOS update - no CTRL-FN patch" -- isn't that the very purpose of this thread? If Lenovo released the official BIOS update I wouldn't be looking for an unofficial one here...

Sorry for a possibly stupid question but maybe I misunderstand what this thread is about.

 

"no official BIOS update - no CTRL-FN patch" means the following:
If I can't download a BIOS for U165 from lenovo's website, then what should I modify? I have no material for patching at the moment.

Let me know when lenovo will publish U165 BIOS on the website. Availability of the official BIOS is a necessary requirement but not 100% guarantee (sometimes it's impossible for me to create CTRL-FN patch).

 

Ah I see, that makes sense. Sorry I didn't notice that BIOS is not available from lenovo.com.

 

Added BIOS-es for IdeaPad U350 and ThinkPad X200 Tablet.
Also added link to another thread where you can find patched BIOS for ThinkPad X300.
Check the first post of this thread.

 

if with this new bios the x200t work with the gobi2000 card?

 

No, the CTRL-FN patch for X200 Tablet doesn't work with Gobi 2000. And it should not surprise anyone because several X200t owners asked me to make CTRL-FN swap only. I didn't receive any requests about making BIOS which combines CTRL-FN patch with disabling wireless whitelist.

Now about Gobi 2000: Recently I did whitelist patch for X100e machine with this adapter. Notebook successfully booted Windows, the card was visible in device manager but X100e owner couldn't make it work. It was driver problem: some versions refused from installing, some worked improperly.
Eventually the X100e owner was forced to sell Gobi 2000 adapter.

 

Thanks for your efforts, middleton.

Your patches seems to work very well. Have you heard of any problems with them? I know it is not a guarantee that *I* don't get problems, but it helps

I have not had the time and energy to read all the 23 pages of the this thread, but searching for "bricked" etc. has not revealed any problems.

 

There was a bricked ThinkPad T400 when I was in process of creating the first modified BIOS for ThinkPads. It was my fault - wrong byte patched.
But I've heard nothing about any bricked machines ever since I placed links to modified BIOS-es on this forum.

 

Thank you for all your work, middleton. Worked perfectly on Y450, but is there any solution for B550?
Here is a BIOS dump (via Universal BIOS Backup Toolkit) if it is of any help: http://filetolink.com/48c3e840 (direct link to zipped rom)

 

I applied the patch for Y460 and the card reader stopped working. Had to roll back.

 

I looked at your dump. Seems like CTRL-FN patch is possible for B550. But there is a little problem: you can't flash BIOS back without official BIOS update from lenovo.

I just swapped key codes for FN and CTRL in the latest Y460 firmware. That's all. I'm not responsible for bugs that appears in every new BIOS version.

 

Sorry Middleton, I didn't mean any offence, I'm not blaming you You are really doing a great job for the community! This is just a notice for other people who may get the same bug. So just to make it clear:

1) I updated BIOS of my Y460 to official version 58 from lenovo site, the card reader was working
2) I found your mods and applied it, the card reader wasn't recognizing any of my SD cards (I have Windows 7 x64, if it matters), I didn't know why.
3) Now I downloaded v. 59 (from Y560) and the card reader's ok again (naturally the keys are working as designed by lenovo)

 

middleton, is there a reason why you don't include the info about (some people) having to use the batch file in the readme file of the download? makes it much more difficult to get the needed information...

 

The information about the batch file is available in the first post of this thread along with download links. I don't understand why you experienced difficulties in obtaining this information.

There is no need to modify the existing BIOS archives. Maybe I'll do it when lenovo release new BIOS versions.

 

Hello,

I miss the X60T in your list.
I have a X60T. Can I swap the FN-Ctrl to Ctrl-FN with another BIOS-Patch?

Thanks!
Korbinian

 

Added the X60 Tablet patch.
Check the first post of this thread.

 

thanks, I will try it!
happy new year!

 

Dear Middleton,

Please provide a patch for the R61 model.

A thought of disasm'ing the bios did slip my mind. However, I've learned that each keyboard processor has specific programming codes and a disassembler must have to have those specific instructions in its database. So, then I thought, alas, I'm too old for this. Please help me and others who have R61's.

The current BIOS version for this model is here:
Lenovo Support - BIOS Update Utility - ThinkPad R61 and R61i 15.4 inch widescreen

This BIOS release supports the following systems:
- ThinkPad R61 (14.1 inch widescreen models without IEEE 1394)
- ThinkPad R61 (15.4 inch widescreen models)
- ThinkPad R61i (15.4 inch widescreen models)

My Best Wishes for the New Year and Thanks!

 

The CTRL-FN patch for all R61 machines is already done. I just forgot to update the links on the first page. Corrected. Check the first post of this thread.

 

Thank you very very much!

 

Hello middleton!

I searched through this thread for any signs on T410s series compatible bios, but it seems that there is not yet single request for T410s model bios (it might go with T410 and T510 as well).

I should swap my current E8310 Fujitsu to an other laptop and T410s seems the best fit in terms of measures and functionalities. Fn-Ctrl swap would make it way more usable (lots of ctrl and other hotkey usage here..). I do have few years of experience with Ibm/lenovo laptops and that key mix is not only an incomfortable thing but issue when applying commands or scripts from notepad to terminal sessions etc..

IF it helps at all, here is url to the most current (2 months old) bios version 1.41 on this T410s series..
Lenovo Support - BIOS Update Utility for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad T410s, T410si

 

This is because everybody knows that these ThinkPads have Fn and Ctrl key swap implemented in BIOS. Here is a proof: Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys: Start up.

 

hey middleton...
i am using lenovo 3000 y500 laptop.
can u give me the files for patching its bios for swaping ctrl and fn key.
actually my fn key is not working(guess its dead). and i want to use the fn key shortcuts like switching my touchpad on/off. etc.
please help!!!

 

Unfortunately I can't do anything for lenovo 3000 y500. There has been no official BIOS update for this machine. And it's absolutely clear that lenovo isn't planning to release the BIOS update for such old notebook.

In case of Phoenix BIOS you can't flash the patch if you don't have the official BIOS from lenovo. I'm afraid you have to visit your local Authorized Service Provider.

 

Can someone please help me?
I get annoying with FN_Ctrl key..
i don't see my model on support model.
someone please help me!
my laptop model: Lenovo B450
Thanks you a million.

 

anyone please help me? thanks.. |

 

As for me, I can't help you. At the moment B450 Embedded Controller's firmware is unmodifiable for me because I'm not able to disassemble it for analyzing.
You'd better get used to FN-CTRL placement.

 

i can't it's hard for me..if you can help me its ok.
i'm want sold this laptop.

 

So you cannot help me man?

 

please help me..please please..i'm begging yo.