fn Key

[Myrm]

Hi

With my new laptop that came from PCSpecialists today.

The fn key doesn't appear to do anything. From what I understand I should, for example, be able to hold down fn and press F5 or F6 to adjust the volume of my laptop, or F8 or F9 to adjust the brightness. But none of the fn options work. The fn button seems to be defunct.

Any suggestions please?

Thank you.

 

[vanthus]

Check in your driver software disk and try install or reinstall of "hotkey" software if you have the option.

 

[Myrm]

I tried installing it from the supplied disk but the install crashes with "Hotkey 6.0100 error. Error 1316.A. A network error occurred while attempting to read from the files: D\Drivers\06Hotkey\Hotkey 6.0045.msi"

 

[vanthus]

Did you try to install by clicking on "setup.exe",if so you may need to uninstall existing hotkey software first then reinstall driver to stop the error.

 

[Myrm]

Hi

I uninstalled it and then re-installed it but alas the same proplem occurs; the fn key does nothing. I have emailed PCSpeciallists about it - I thought they rigorously checked custom built machines prior to despatch.

 

[ubuysa]

Hi Myrm, You might try downloading a new copy of the Hotkey driver from the Clevo website at http://clevo.com/en/e-services/download.asp, it sounds like the copy you have might be corrupted. You'll need to know the model of your Laptop and you'll find it printed on the bottom. Use the menus on the Clevo site to select your model, you'll find the Hotkey driver in the OTHERS section.

 

[Myrm]

On further investigation many of the function keys on this laptop do not work. For example, the 4 arrow keys next to the number pad, only the right arrow keys works. If I am trying to select more than one object in a folder I would normally hold down CTRL and click on the files I want, CTRL does not seem to work. When I type in a Word document and I want to highlight and copy a word I would normally highlight the word and CTRL C, but this does nothing. Something is very wrong here.

 

[steaky360]

On further investigation many of the function keys on this laptop do not work. For example, the 4 arrow keys next to the number pad, only the right arrow keys works. If I am trying to select more than one object in a folder I would normally hold down CTRL and click on the files I want, CTRL does not seem to work. When I type in a Word document and I want to highlight and copy a word I would normally highlight the word and CTRL C, but this does nothing. Something is very wrong here.

If many of the keys are not working it may be something more than just a driver issue, I would recommend getting in touch with PCS about this, if you can, give them a call. Other forum members in Europe have had success calling using Skype (or other such services) as the rates to call the UK from abroad are cheaper I am led to believe.
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[Myrm]

Hi Myrm, You might try downloading a new copy of the Hotkey driver from the Clevo website at http://clevo.com/en/e-services/download.asp, it sounds like the copy you have might be corrupted. You'll need to know the model of your Laptop and you'll find it printed on the bottom. Use the menus on the Clevo site to select your model, you'll find the Hotkey driver in the OTHERS section.

Hi

Just tried that - it installs but nothing changed.

 

[Myrm]

Do you think it's worth me doing a clean install of Windows and drivers to see what happens?

 

[steaky360]

It wouldn't hurt that would ensure all of the old drivers are gone before you install your new ones!

 

[ubuysa]

If you're going to do a reinstall it might be worth going into the repair option once you've booted the DVD and select Command Prompt. Then I'd check that all of the normal keys work. Just press everything (except Enter of course!) incluning numbers and the shift key. Obviously you can't test Cntrl or FN this way but this should give you a clue as to whether you have a keyboard problem.

If it all looks ok then go ahead and do the reinstall, but if not you need to call PCS. I had a problem recently (with my wifi card) and I'm in Greece, I emailed PCS and got a very quick response. They were extremely helpful and quick just using email so you might want to give that a try first?

 

[Myrm]

I decided against reinstalling. Instead I contacted PCS on the phone and they were vary helpful and offered to send a courier to collect the laptop on Monday and look at it for me. Disappointing that a brand new product isn't doing what it should but impressed with the support.

 

[ubuysa]

I decided against reinstalling. Instead I contacted PCS on the phone and they were vary helpful and offered to send a courier to collect the laptop on Monday and look at it for me. Disappointing that a brand new product isn't doing what it should but impressed with the support.

Don't be too downhearted, things do sometimes come loose in transit and of course Sod's Law states that a component will fail immediately after it has passed quality control. There will always be the odd hiccup and whilst it's disappointing to be the one on the end of one at least you're getting it sorted now.

 

[Myrm]

Well, good news. The labtop was collected on Monday and PCS have looked at it replaced the keyboard. They say they have tested the new keyboard and all is well. It is on its way back to me. Should get it tomorrow. Yay!

 

[ubuysa]

Hey, great news! Glad it's all sorted.

 

[Myrm]

Received my repaired labtop. Perfect working order! Thank you PCS!!!!