FN Buttons not working (Settings Installed!!)

So I have been trying to clean up the install on my new Book 9, and in doing so, have made a few things fubar.

The most important is the FN keys. I cannot do keyboard, screen, fan, touchpad, etc. Basically, except for volume and the arrow keys, I can't use any FN keys. They did work when I got the laptop, so that's not an issue.

I uninstalled a few things and changed the startup options, but now everything should be fine. I have "Settings" (version 2.0.1) installed, and it has 3 screens. WIFI, Display, and Audio (when I first got the laptop, I thought it had more...)

Also, I have been trying to get rid of "Samsung Software" (I think it's SAgent) but I can't find a place to uninstall it...not anywhere!!!

I'd ideally like as clean an install as possible. I plan on only using the Samsung Software update to install a proper version of Settings, and maybe update the touchpad drivers here and there. All other drivers (Intel wifi, display, storage, etc) will be done off the official Intel or Realtek sites...

Thanks, please help, it's quite urgent and I'd really like to get this fixed!!

 

Are you running Windows 7 or Windows 8? If it is Windows 7

How did you get the Settings program (through SW Update)? Not that it should matter because it appears to be a universal installer which configures itself according to the hardware. If it is not providing all the expected options then it can't have detected the hardware properly. Are you using drivers supplied by Samsung's SW Update or from other sources?

You can disable the SAgent task in Task Scheduler to stop it running.

John

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I should have realized...it may have to do with Windows 8.1

I think that was the update that bricked everything. Prior to Windows 8.1, I had many options in settings, and all my buttons worked.

I can't be certain, but I think that after the 8.1 preview was installed, they no longer worked. I know for a fact that I did not uninstall settings (originally) until AFTER the buttons stopped working...

Any chance it is that? If so, any way to remove the 8.1 preview without ruining other installed apps, notably MS Office? Thanks!

 

Yes, 8.1 is the reason. It's not compatible with Settings. Other Samsung software too.

Check if you have a System Restore Point. Otherwise factory restore is your only option.

Edit: Hang on, you could try the very latest Settings v2.1.x which you can find in SW Update under model NP940xxx. I have not tested it with 8.1, it might work.

I'm on my phone right now, only one hand, or I would give you more details

 

Thanks!! I checked last night, and the latest system restore point is AFTER the 8.1 was installed. No wonder I always turn off system restore...utterly useless!

I will try the new settings, got nothing to lose...but it looks like a factory install

I think I will just format the whole drive, get rid of the bloatware partitions and just use stock Windows 8 with settings and touchpad from the SWUpdate. Nothing else is coming from Samsung, you can be sure!!!

 

Please keep us posted, I'd really like to know if Settings 2.1.x works in Win 8.1. Every few days we have a member posting here how they installed 8.1 and nothing is working, and so far we've no advice other than to roll back to Win8 (which many can't).

BTW, my test of Win 8.1 was posted here.

 

Well, I installed settings 2.1.x as was suggested. Didn't reboot, but saw no change. So I ran my oldest system restore...and the restore failed. I now have:

Windows 8.1 (confirmed)
Settings 2.1.x (confirmed)
Working FN keys for brightness (YAY!!!) and also for backlight, etc. However, the keyboard backlight and fan keys do not show the on-screen indicators. They work 100% but no indicators. Not sure if this is normal.

So.....overall very good news!

 

OK, great, thank you for testing and for the update. That is indeed good news

Settings (Win8) does not display On Screen icons the same way Easy Settings did in Win7. The only ones are for Brightness and Volume -- which I believe and Win8-provided indicators, though I am not sure.

 

Excellent, then it seems that everything is working perfect.

 

Yes, and we have a solution now for users who installed Win 8.1. That makes me happy

Something I forgot to mention before: In order to check Silent Mode (Fn-F11) you can verify that the Windows profile switches to Power Saver -- or just look in the Settings control center.

 

I do have an additional problem now though. Since the system restore, or the new settings, or whatever, my internet was crapping out again. I fixed this before by installing the latest intel drivers. However, this time, I double-click the install file, and nothing happens. The intel wireless logo spins for a bit, then nothing. I've tried both the drivers, and the install utility, I've tried installing via the device manager...nothing.

Anyone know how to install the stupid 16.1.1 drivers? Much obliged, the N-6235 is a terrible card for dropping out!

 

Start by reading the WiFi Remedy thread.

John