Technical information

CHAPTER 3

Devices and Ports

Keyboard 43

Fn Key 3

Pressing the Fn key affects three sets of keys: the function keys F1–F12, the

embedded numeric keypad, and certain modiﬁer keys.

■ It toggles the function keys between their normal control functions and their

alternate F1–F12 functions, as shown in Table 3-5 and Figure 3-5.

■ It selects the embedded numeric keypad on the right portion of the

alphanumeric keys, as shown in Table 3-6 and Figure 3-6.

■ It changes certain control keys, including the cursor control keys, to page

control keys, as shown in Table 3-7 and Figure 3-6.

Num Lock Key 3

Pressing the Num Lock key affects two sets of keys: the embedded numeric

keypad and the rest of the alphanumeric keys.

■ It selects the embedded numeric keypad on the right portion of the

alphanumeric keys, as shown in Table 3-6 and Figure 3-6.

■ It makes the rest of the alphanumeric keys functionless (NOPs), as shown in

Figure 3-6.

An LED next to the Num Lock key is lighted whenever the Num Lock function

is active.

Function-keys Checkbox 3

The Function-keys checkbox is a checkbox in the Keyboard Control Panel that

lets the user choose whether the function keys F1–F12 are primary or secondary.

Function keys primary means the function keys default to their F1–F12

functions when the the Fn key is not depressed. Function keys secondary means

the function keys default to their control-button behavior when the the Fn key

is not depressed. In either case, pressing the Fn key reverses the functions of the

function keys from the default functions set by the checkbox. The two sets of

functions of the function keys are shown in Table 3-5 and Figure 3-5.

Function Keys 3

The function keys, F1–F12, are used as control buttons for the display and

sound; unused function keys are NOPs. These keys are affected by the Function