change the brightness without the fn key?

[Jay]

The Keyboard on my Dell laptop broke. Dell says it is the motherboard and a
replacement keyboard will not help. So I am using an external Keyboard.

Only problem is: There is no fn button on that, and I have no way to adjust
the screen brightness!

Any idea?

 

[Elmo]

The Keyboard on my Dell laptop broke. Dell says it is the motherboard and a
replacement keyboard will not help. So I am using an external Keyboard.

Only problem is: There is no fn button on that, and I have no way to adjust
the screen brightness!

Any idea?

Here's a couple of ideas I found with a Google Groups search.

http://groups.google.com/group/comp...ad?lnk=st&q=fn+key+alternate#7b032dae3338c7ad
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=fn+key+alternate&qt_s=Search

 

[Jay]

The BIOS solution will usually not work, as the OS does not recognize that
function-button.

 

[Jay]

I appriciate your response and carring!

Actually, I got it resolved in the BIOS. It gave me an option to change the
brightness settings. It also said in the BIOS that I can NOT change it with
an external keyboard which is plugged in with a USB port. (of course my
laptop only takes a USB.)

So problem is solved! I am using an external keyboard.

PS: In such a case, as I am not covered by any Dell gaurantee, what are my
options in such a case, if I could not have managed?

Thanks~

 

[Jay]

Thanks!

How do I get to the Quickset Program?

It is an Inspiron 1300.

I looked it up in Google, and no one seemed to have a fix, as they said the
BIOS will not allow you to change or even recognize the fn key, as the key
for itself means nothing.

I also took it to a computer tech, who cleaned out the milk my son spilled
on the keyboard. He ordered a new dell keyboard, but when that failed to work
he called Dell, and did some troubleshoting, which said it was the
motherboard.

Actually I am fine working with an external keyboard. I got myself a
wireless set. The mouse just acts up too often, so I may return it for a
corded one.

Thanks~

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How do I get to the Quickset Program?
It is an Inspiron 1300.

Same place you'd get updated drivers... ;-)

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...=INSPIRON1300/B130&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid

Under "Applications". Looks like a 9MB download. Last updated 3/19/2007.

Matter of fact - several drivers aren't too old either - you might benefit
from updating some hardware drivers (and possibly a BIOS update - although
that is a little trickier and only recommended if you are having issues.)

 

[Donald L McDaniel]

Thanks!

How do I get to the Quickset Program?

It is an Inspiron 1300.

I looked it up in Google, and no one seemed to have a fix, as they said the
BIOS will not allow you to change or even recognize the fn key, as the key
for itself means nothing.

I also took it to a computer tech, who cleaned out the milk my son spilled
on the keyboard. He ordered a new dell keyboard, but when that failed to work
he called Dell, and did some troubleshoting, which said it was the
motherboard.

Actually I am fine working with an external keyboard. I got myself a
wireless set. The mouse just acts up too often, so I may return it for a
corded one.

Thanks~

I suggest using Logitech Bluetooth devices. Their drivers are excellent, and
you will have little trouble with mice or keyboards which constantly disconnect.

Dell makes crappy keyboards and mice: Use Logitech instead.

*** This is NOT an advertisement, BTW. It is the result of many years of
experimentation with various input solutions, including Dell. ***

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Entire thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...:fn+insubject:key+author:Jay#4865de6725c78286

I suggest using Logitech Bluetooth devices. Their drivers are
excellent, and you will have little trouble with mice or keyboards
which constantly disconnect.

Dell makes crappy keyboards and mice: Use Logitech instead.

*** This is NOT an advertisement, BTW. It is the result of many
years of experimentation with various input solutions, including
Dell. ***

Although I second the recommendation for Logitech Mice and Keyboards
(bluetooth or not) --> I do have to wonder what brought the topic of
"Bluetooth" up...

The OP original said, "The Keyboard on my Dell laptop broke." So they have
a Dell Laptop - which would come with Dell parts/Dell keyboard...

Later you find out *why* the keyboard 'broke', "... cleaned out the milk my
son spilled on the keyboard ..." So it was an accident that likely broke
the keyboard and perhaps other components inside the laptop (liquids and
computers - I would not recommend putting them together. hah)

Finally they state they are using an external USB keyboard with it - which
supposedly solves the issue to their current satisfaction. I can see why
you *might* recommend they utilize a Bluetooth keyboard at this point (as an
alternative to having to plug something in each time - just make sure the
Bluetooth is on if available.)

However - in this case - it would do them no good. They state later in the
thread they have a Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop - and that model does not/did
not have an internal Bluetooth option available... Therefore they would
still have to purchase a dongle/something to plug into the computer in order
to utilize Bluetooth instead of a USB/wireless USB device. (In other
words - they gain little in getting a Bluetooth device over some wireless
USB device in this case.)

Is there something about having a bluetooth device as opposed to a wireless
(or wired) device in this case that makes bluetooth a better alternative?

 

[Donald L McDaniel]

Entire thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...:fn+insubject:key+author:Jay#4865de6725c78286




Although I second the recommendation for Logitech Mice and Keyboards
(bluetooth or not) --> I do have to wonder what brought the topic of
"Bluetooth" up...

The OP original said, "The Keyboard on my Dell laptop broke." So they have
a Dell Laptop - which would come with Dell parts/Dell keyboard...

Later you find out *why* the keyboard 'broke', "... cleaned out the milk my
son spilled on the keyboard ..." So it was an accident that likely broke
the keyboard and perhaps other components inside the laptop (liquids and
computers - I would not recommend putting them together. hah)

Finally they state they are using an external USB keyboard with it - which
supposedly solves the issue to their current satisfaction. I can see why
you *might* recommend they utilize a Bluetooth keyboard at this point (as an
alternative to having to plug something in each time - just make sure the
Bluetooth is on if available.)

However - in this case - it would do them no good. They state later in the
thread they have a Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop - and that model does not/did
not have an internal Bluetooth option available... Therefore they would
still have to purchase a dongle/something to plug into the computer in order
to utilize Bluetooth instead of a USB/wireless USB device. (In other
words - they gain little in getting a Bluetooth device over some wireless
USB device in this case.)

Is there something about having a bluetooth device as opposed to a wireless
(or wired) device in this case that makes bluetooth a better alternative?

Actually, Shenan, I agree with you. I prefer wireless USB connections over
Bluetooth. And for a simple reason: because I had so much trouble with
Microsoft over a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse.

Sometime ago, I bought my first Bluetooth keyboard, the Microsoft Desktop Elite
for Bluetooth, to replace my old worn-out Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite
(USB). It failed to work right out of the box, because the Bluetooth dongle
they provided with it did not get a good electrical connection to my computer.

So I simply put it on the shelf, and continued to use my worn-out Microsoft
Wireless Desktop Elite (USB).

After a couple of years, I bought a Logitech USB desktop set (the MX3200), which
worked great. However, the keys were too small, as well as the LCD display, so
I bought a Logitech MX5000 Desktop Set for Bluetooth. Man, that was a GREAT
keyboard. I used it happily a minimum of 8hrs per day, with absolutely no
problems (except for one: the keyboard required battery changes very often.)

When Microsoft called me out of the blue to inform me they were replacing my
unusable Bluetooth keyboard/mouse (I had called MS Support a few months earlier,
finally, to get this loose end tied up), I about pissed my pants. They
replaced it with a Microsoft Wireless Laser 6000 v.2 USB set. And I gave the
Logitech Bluetooth set to another brother.

Anyway, I love Logitech keyboards and mice.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Entire thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...:fn+insubject:key+author:Jay#4865de6725c78286

I suggest using Logitech Bluetooth devices. Their drivers are
excellent, and you will have little trouble with mice or keyboards
which constantly disconnect.

Dell makes crappy keyboards and mice: Use Logitech instead.

*** This is NOT an advertisement, BTW. It is the result of many
years of experimentation with various input solutions, including
Dell. ***

Although I second the recommendation for Logitech Mice and Keyboards
(bluetooth or not) --> I do have to wonder what brought the topic of
"Bluetooth" up...

The OP original said, "The Keyboard on my Dell laptop broke." So
they have a Dell Laptop - which would come with Dell parts/Dell
keyboard...

Later you find out *why* the keyboard 'broke', "... cleaned out the
milk my son spilled on the keyboard ..." So it was an accident
that likely broke the keyboard and perhaps other components inside
the laptop (liquids and computers - I would not recommend putting
them together. hah)

Finally they state they are using an external USB keyboard with it
- which supposedly solves the issue to their current satisfaction.
I can see why you *might* recommend they utilize a Bluetooth
keyboard at this point (as an alternative to having to plug
something in each time - just make sure the Bluetooth is on if
available.)

However - in this case - it would do them no good. They state
later in the thread they have a Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop - and
that model does not/did not have an internal Bluetooth option
available... Therefore they would still have to purchase a
dongle/something to plug into the computer in order to utilize
Bluetooth instead of a USB/wireless USB device. (In other
words - they gain little in getting a Bluetooth device over some
wireless USB device in this case.)

Is there something about having a bluetooth device as opposed to a
wireless (or wired) device in this case that makes bluetooth a
better alternative?

Actually, Shenan, I agree with you. I prefer wireless USB
connections over Bluetooth. And for a simple reason: because I
had so much trouble with Microsoft over a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse.

Sometime ago, I bought my first Bluetooth keyboard, the Microsoft
Desktop Elite for Bluetooth, to replace my old worn-out Microsoft
Wireless Desktop Elite (USB). It failed to work right out of the
box, because the Bluetooth dongle they provided with it did not get
a good electrical connection to my computer.

So I simply put it on the shelf, and continued to use my worn-out
Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite (USB).

After a couple of years, I bought a Logitech USB desktop set (the
MX3200), which worked great. However, the keys were too small, as
well as the LCD display, so I bought a Logitech MX5000 Desktop Set
for Bluetooth. Man, that was a GREAT keyboard. I used it happily
a minimum of 8hrs per day, with absolutely no problems (except for
one: the keyboard required battery changes very often.)

When Microsoft called me out of the blue to inform me they were
replacing my unusable Bluetooth keyboard/mouse (I had called MS
Support a few months earlier, finally, to get this loose end tied
up), I about pissed my pants. They replaced it with a Microsoft
Wireless Laser 6000 v.2 USB set. And I gave the Logitech Bluetooth
set to another brother.

Anyway, I love Logitech keyboards and mice.

Thanks.

I was just curious if you were pushing Bluetooth devices over other
wireless/wired types. My experience with some bluetooth devices (Kensington
was the last Bluetooth beast to bite me) has been less than favorable -
although some of that can also be attributed to the system and its bluetooth
support. Always learning - so if I see someone with a differing opinion - I
find it is better to ask why they have that opinion than to continue with a
closed mind and never change mine... Especially in the world of computing.

In any case- I agree 100% about Logitech mice/keyboards and thanks again for
clarifying!