FN-CTRL swap on all Lenovo laptops [SOLVED]

CTRL-FN patch doesn't add a swap option in BIOS setup. The modded BIOS just swaps FN and CTRL.

Sorry, don't understand what you mean. If you want to bring the keys back to their original state, then see the first post of this thread.

 

Hi, I just got a lenovo G460 -0677, core i5, intel graphics, 3gb RAM , 320gb HDD, wifi, bluetooth Windows 7 Ultimate. bios ver 29CN30WW (ver 2.07) *as stated on the bios utility*. love everything about, it except, I can't seem to get used to the placement of the "ctrl" - "fn" keys. Maybe you have already addessed this issue on previous posts, but I cant find the bios fix for my laptop model or maybe I can use the mod from another model, if so, wich one should I use?. I'm trying to get this right and not end up with a paperweight. Thanks
BTW already checked and there is no swap option in the BIOS utility AND there is no bios update on the Lenovo support page

 

Any chance we'll see a fix also for the T420 series?

 

Unfortunately I can't create G460/G560 CTRL-FN BIOS mod. This doesn't mean that such a mod is impossible. Maybe someone is able to solve the issue but I don't have enough skill for this.

You'll be surprised: ThinkPad T420 has the Fn and Ctrl key swap implemented in BIOS - Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys: Start up.

 

Thanks for your answer middleton. I'll keep looking if someone has made such a mod and post it here, hopefuly. But if you get to it first, lmk. thanks

 

Can you please make one for the y560p? Thanks.

 

Already answered this question here.

 

Thanks... searched the thread, but gave no results. I will wait patiently.

 

Found a bios Update for the G460 Lenovo Ideapad Support & downloads - Drivers & Downloads

I Updated and sucsessfully falashed BIOS to the new Version without problem. But sadly there is no fn-ctrl swap option yet.

 

This is really impressive... Before I go on, I want to say that a whole bunch of people owe you thanks for the work you've put in, middleton, to get this to work.

I'm one of those people - mostly, anyhow I've gone through the posts here, and couldn't find what I was looking for. Having downloaded the X61 Tablet rar file on the first post, I've updated my drivers and was hoping to see the FN and CTRL keys swapped...

But it didn't work, and I don't know what went wrong.

I used the ISO file included in the rar file, and prior to this BIOS update, I've not had any flashed updates ever since the laptop was bought (early 2008). I know that the BIOS is now updated correctly, but the FN and CTRL key functionality still eludes me.

middleton, or someone else, can you help me? I'm quite stuck and don't know how to go further on this.

I'll also point out I've tried this, and then the other SATA II enabled updates you've provided in other threads. It's AWESOME! I know it works before a before/after on CrystalDisk Mark shows noticeable performance increases, but the CTRL-FN swap keys (in both attached isos for that version) don't work, on top of the one from this initial post. For each time I tried the bios updating, I would downgrade the bios to allow the same version to be updated.

Thank you!

 

Try to download and flash X61 Tablet BIOS from here. I modified ISO images (a month ago) to fix the issue you are talking about. If it doesn't help, then let me know.

 

Hey dude,

I own a Lenovo Thinkpad T400 and have tried your modded Bios.

It doesnt work. Didnt work.

I Tried a lot of things, downgrading to 3.09 to then upgrade to yours, and i also used the Flash.bat, or rather, copy pasted your instructions and ran it.

It always updates, but I have the impression the Embedded controller isnt getting updated.

Also, the bios is up to version BIOS: 3.22 / ECP: 1.06
Found here:
Lenovo Support - BIOS update utility for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP - ThinkPad R400, T400

I cant tell what version your file has for ECP, and i dont know what to do at this point

Basically, i extracted your rar, put flash.bat in the 64 bit folder and ran it, it says it updates, then i reboot, and the bios is updated, but i still must press fn+ctrl. (not switched)

if it helps, i'm running win 7 ultimate SP1 64 bit.

*edit* Also, i read somewhere earlier about Paypal not accepting money for your country, does that still stand today?

Also, you mentionned there being two files, FL1 and FL2. what if i took the FL2 (i assume thats ECP) from your modded bios and put it in the place of the FL2 of the new lenovo bios, would that work in theory?

Thanks for your hard work.

 

To dragon-fly
Let's use email, you can find my address here.

UPDATE: The problem was solved by applying bootable ISO CD image. Strange but all the attempts to flash under Windows Ultimate 7 SP1 64 bit were unsuccessful.

 

Thanks for your reply middleton; I assumed I would get a thread subscription email, but am now realizing I have to enable it directly.

As for the modified ISO images, I downloaded from the exact modified ISO file with the #1 and #2 versions, and proceeded to reflash the bios with them. I know there was an effect because:

1) my CrystalDiskMark speed went up considerably when I used the versions on the page you linked

2) BIOS flashed with correct version each time I tried to install another update/version. As such, I had to downgrade before trying another version.

Is there any information I could provide you to get this to work?

Thanks!

 

To jupiterfalling
Send me an email (see my previous post).

 

Hi, what about 15" T61-6460?
I've tryed to flash it with 14" version - and have success, but no option to swap keys
Any suggestions?

 

There will be no option to switch keys in BIOS setup. The patch simply swaps FN and CTRL.
And I hope you downloaded it from here. If the keys are not swapped after flashing under Windows, then try to use the bootable ISO CD image.

 

I'm not sure, it was a few time ago.
anyway, SATA-II_Whitelist_SLIC21_Thermal_Sensing_Error_ThinkPad_T61_T61p_BIOS_(2.27-1.08).rar

this one should be correct, yes?

 

Exactly. This is the file I was talking about.

 

Middleton, do you have a PayPal email? You've saved me so much aggrivation I want to send a little cash your way

 

Thanks but paypal doesn't allow to receive money in my country. So forget about it.

 

Hi middleton,

thanks for your great work, it's much appreciated! Do you think you could update the modified U450p Bios to the current version 35? The original version can be found here:

Lenovo Support - Drivers & Downloads

Thanks again!

 

CTRL-FN mod for U450/U450p based on version 35 was ready a year ago but I just forgot to upload it. Check the first page of the thread.

 

@middleton any idea how to flash as linuxuser without installing windows?

Do you have a dos flash utility?

(it is for R400)

 

I've added bootable CD image to the R400/T400 package. You can download it from the first page.

 

Thx, but did not work for me. Flashing was successful, but fn+strg are not switched.

Can you tell me what to do now?

(as I said, I am not on Windows.)

 

That's a shame

 

It's funny - forgot to replace the original files by the patched ones when I was making the modified ISO image. Download the BIOS package again from the first page.

Totally agree with you .

 

hello all

this lenovo key layout issue is really ennoying.

today i ran the bios update on my day old ideapad s10-3.
it bricked. power-on lights the power-led, a short flash from the hd led - and a dark screen of death.
i tried all possible battery in/out key-b key-r options but no luck.
in most forums the advice is anyway: send it in, get the mainboard replaced.

i actually had the same key layout issue with my 2000$ thinkpad t510 - i updated the bios with the swap and i'm eversince happily using left corner ctrl - as it should be.

well. lucky me the bricking thing happened with the 350$ netbook. so my learning fees are reasonable.

so guys be warned: the warnings and disclaimers have their reason.
risking 350$ for ctrl comfort is ok with me.
but risking 2000$? almost cheaper to get the fingers replaced by surgery!

good luck to you all and greetings

HaZZ

 

Thx now works like a charm. Can I use the other one to reset it back to normal state if I want to do that at some time?

 

You mean the first ISO with the original files? Sure, you can use it to set the normal FN-CTRL layout.

 

Yes I meant that one.

Thx for your nice work!

 

Hai everbody i have a laptop IBM Think pad model R52 Type 1860-AK9 contains error message like Thremal sensing error and getting switch off. But i can overtake by pressing esc key and the system working normaly i worked 5 to 7 hours continuously no problem found while working if i got modified BIOS to bypass this issue it will very helpfull to me

 

Will the T60 BIOS work for the R60?

 

You can't use the T60 patch to flash your machine. R60 ThinkPad needs its own patch. Tell me machine type of your notebook and I'll try to make the CTRL-FN patch for you.

 

Type 9445-A12. Is there a tutorial somewhere online for how these patches are made specific to a given thinkpad model?

Would I want to upgrade the BIOS to the highest version first before running any patch?

Thanks!

 

As far as I know there's no online tutorials. At least I didn't found any and was forced to analyze Embedded Controller's firmware by myself.

I'll make the patch based on the latest official BIOS. So you don't need to upgrade BIOS before running the patch. But if you want to upgrade, then you can safely do it.

I'll try to make the patch for a day or two. Watch this thread.

 

Added the patch for R60, R60i (Machine types 94xx). You can download it from the first page.

 

Thanks! Now I just need to get my new battery so I can run it. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

If you have time could you please make the patched BIOS for ideapad S205?

BIOS for S205:
Lenovo Support - Drivers & Downloads

 

S205 firmware is the special one. If I had a S205, I'd make the patch. But it's almost impossible, not having a S205 for testing intermediate versions.

I have experience in creating the patch for ThinkPad machines and don't want to repeat it again. It required several months (if I remember correctly) and a huge number of emails (feedback from a real ThinkPad owner). If I'd had a ThinkPad, the patch would have been created much faster.

 

THANK YOU to the creator of these BIOSes... this is the dumbest thing IBM has created beside the red eraser.

 

Thank you so much! Works like a gem. Do you accept donations?

 

Hello.

I have tried to swap fn ctrl with my X301, and used the mod BIOS here.
I had used bios 3.09-1.05, and attempted to update it to 3.10-1.05 bios
available here. However, after my attempt I have found out that the bios
was successfully updated, but it does not swap fn ctrl. Does anyone has good advice? Thanks in advance!

 

Hello middleton.

do you have a bios patch for the X60s ?

 

Already answered this question many times in different threads. You can find the answer for example here.

Time to try "flash.bat" from the first page (if you flash under Windows).

I'll add the X60, X60s patch as soon as possible.

 

Is there a bios for the W701DS that supports fn ctrl swap?

Also, would I be able to buy a US W701DS and swap in a UK keyboard?

Thanks!

 

W701/W701ds CTRL-FN patch doesn't exist at the moment. I looked at the W701/W701ds BIOS and can say that keyboard handling code is different. It's not like the code I saw in other ThinkPad BIOS-es before. However I think I can patch it. By the way: are you sure that W701/W701ds models doesn't have the official FN-CTRL switch in BIOS?

As for your second question: It absolutely doesn't matter what type of keyboard is installed in your ThinkPad. The CTRL-FN patch will work on any keyboard.

Added the patch for X60, X60s. Check the first page.

 

I don't know if the W701/W701ds models has the official FN-CTRL switch in BIOS - I don't own one yet, I'm considering buying one and this is the deal breaker. I've searched everywhere

Ok great thanks