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19 Posts
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17634
Function Keys on Dell Laptop fail to work
The function keys (Fn plus a labeled key at top of the keyboard) on this Dell 17R Inspiron laptop now fail to work.
Shortly after the 1 year warranty expired I had to replace a failed hard drive. I removed the Dell provided Seagate drive and now have a new WD drive. I used the Dell USB memory device to re-install my Windows 7. The re-installation appears to have worked except for the Fn keys, where no instructions were provided. This means the function key to turn on/off the WiFi function no longer works. (The same goes for other hardware functions.)
Where do I go from here?
jessy.holiday
371 Posts
1
September 27th, 2015 13:00
pretty sure its the - Quickset driver/program , that u need. check the support page
Tom-Bl
19 Posts
2
October 3rd, 2015 23:00
I re-installed the Quickset driver/program and the function keys, including back light, returned. Tests are not complete but so far they appear to work OK.
lori8258
4 Posts
0
September 27th, 2015 14:00
If you have upgraded to Windows 10, that might be a concern. I have been experiencing phantom control key appearing somewhat frequently, maybe 1 - 2 times a day. And I have seen some posts on other boards that a few recent upgraders are experiencing keyboard issues - not consistent key though - could be the alt key, a specific letter, caps lock, etc.
Tom-Bl
19 Posts
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September 28th, 2015 13:00
Maybe I need to clarify that I am using only Windows 7. (It was originally installed by Dell during manufacture.)
thedukeofwales
121 Posts
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September 29th, 2015 08:00
Hello and good morning
You can narrow the issue down by:
1) Hold the cntrl alt and delete key together and see if the "Task Manager" displays.
2) Restart and begin tapping the F2 key and see if the Setup in on the display.
3) Restart and begin tapping the F8 key and see if the startup options display.
4) Restart and begin tapping the F12 key and see if you get a "one time boot menu."
Do not start tapping until just when the blue screen disappears.
If all are successful then your keyboard is working and then you can tackle your issue as it is now "isolated."
Mark
Tom-Bl
19 Posts
0
October 2nd, 2015 16:00
With that I have to consider it "isolated" - but so far it's not resolved