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FN Lock

Is there a FN lock? I play a game that requires me to use the FN buttons and it is a pain to hold down FN every time I use a FN key.

Thank You in advance.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Oct 2, 2007 8:09 AM

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Posted on Oct 2, 2007 8:20 AM

Try system preferences>keyboard and mouse>keyboard and see if the box for "use the F1-F12 keys to control software features" is checked or not. Presumably selecting the opposite of what it is set at now should work, but it will also change functionality when using your computer for other applications (or create a separate login for playing the game with this option set as needed).
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Oct 2, 2007 8:20 AM in response to Ralphdp

Try system preferences>keyboard and mouse>keyboard and see if the box for "use the F1-F12 keys to control software features" is checked or not. Presumably selecting the opposite of what it is set at now should work, but it will also change functionality when using your computer for other applications (or create a separate login for playing the game with this option set as needed).

Dec 4, 2007 2:55 PM in response to Ralphdp

I would like to add to this thread. The functionality that Ralphdp is looking for is something I've been hunting all over for.

If I understand this right, the goal is to have a fn-lock key, much like caps lock, that toggles the function keys from Apple default usage to function keys and back with only one keystroke necessary to make the switch.

This would be much more convenient than having to toggle the option in System Prefs each time function keys are necessary in a certain application.

Also, my keyboard doesn't HAVE an fn key. I have the new iMac aluminum keyboard, and there's no key available to swap the function keys for Apple default keys (Expose, Dashboard, etc).

This would solve a lot of headaches for Photoshop, World of Warcraft, and Quark users out there who want their function keys and an easy way to switch to the Apple function keys on the fly using a non-laptop keyboard.

Ideas?

Dec 4, 2007 3:08 PM in response to Ryan Sturt

Well it seems the new iMac keyboard DOES have a fn key. It's above Delete and left of the Home key between the numpad and the keyboard.

My solution will be to set function keys as default and hold the fn key to toggle back to Apple keys per the option in System Preferences.

This still is not fn-lock functionality, but at least I'm better off than I thought, and way better off than users with pre-aluminum Apple keyboards on non-portable systems who do not HAVE a fn key.

FN Lock

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