Function keys are dead

[Ed in Seattle]

I may be in the wrong newsgroup, if so I apologize; please point me to the
appropriate newsgroup.

I have a computer that is a few weeks old with a new Microsoft Ergonomic
4000 keyboard. Without warning, and without my knowingly changing anything;
the Function keys (F1, F2,etc) at the top no longer operate. I also notice
that some of the little lights (arranged vertically) have gone out (only "1"
remains lit).

I tried unplugging and re-inserting the USB connection to see if Windows XP
would reload the keyboard driver (suspecting that it might have been
corrupted). No action by XP was visible, and when I go to Control
Panel>Keyboard , the window reports the device is operating properly.

I would very much appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Most Microsoft keyboards have an F-Lock key that you need to enable before
the F keys will work. You have to do this with each startup but there's a
fix that will automatically lock the F keys for you. See here:
http://jtsang.mvps.org/flock.html

One of those little LEDs is to indicate F-Lock=On.

 

[Ed in Seattle]

To my embarrassment, I found the F-lock key after posting my query. A quick
tap and the problem was gone. I must have hit it unknowingly. Thanks for
the reply.

Ed Presson

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Like I said, it's typical that the F-Lock is turned *off* when you boot up.
If you don't want to have to remember to hit the key every time you start
up, use the tweak I posted.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

I should amend the previous: With new model MS keyboards (models released
after 2004), the F-Lock state should remain as it was after a restart.