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    CTRL/Fn keys

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Rich.Carpenter, Mar 13, 2009.

  1. Rich.Carpenter

    Rich.Carpenter Cranky Bastage

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    I'm having a little trouble adjusting to the odd positioning of the CTRL key on my T500. I believe Lenovo has a key mapping utility available, but I think it would be worse to have their functions reversed and not consistent with what's on the label.

    I considered the idea of popping the keys off and swapping them, but I'm concerned that I may damage the keyboard in the process. Has anyone else done this? I don't know how easy it is to do, though I've seen a video of some students reviewing ThinkPads who did exactly that to show the machine's ruggedness.
     
  2. chun9430

    chun9430 Notebook Evangelist

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    You eventually get use to the fn key being where it is. You cannot pop out the keys and swap them, they are individually attached to the keyboard. I think they actually break when you take them off
     
  3. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

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    They are detachable. I have detached and reattached keys before.

    I don't think the Fn and Ctrl keys are the same size, though, are they...?
     
  4. JaneL

    JaneL Super Moderator

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    Fn is hard-wired and can't be re-mapped.
     
  5. AuroraAlpha

    AuroraAlpha Notebook Consultant

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    Mine aren't...

    I would suggest you try waiting, if it is your main system you will get used to it before too long, it will be other computers that bother you.

    Other then that you don't really have many good options. You can, as you said, swap the function of the keys, but not the labels.

    Edit: I guess you can't re-map it. Sorry, your out of luck.
     
  6. Matt

    Matt Notebook Deity

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    Hmm. I guess it depends on what type of keyboard you get. I have a T60, so maybe it's changed since then.
     
  7. Rich.Carpenter

    Rich.Carpenter Cranky Bastage

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    Bummer. I really didn't think it would bother me much, but it is a bit of a hassle after all. Is there a way to map Fn+X, Fn+C and Fn+V in the key-mapping app? That would probably be all I would need, well, maybe just a few others, if they aren't already in use as function keys.
     
  8. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Rich, I am pretty sure you will get use to it. If you are a good touch typist you will learn the position and be golden after that. I thought it might have been an issue for me but I got use to it after a couple days. And also switch back to my full keyboard on my docking station everyday.
     
  9. i5aac

    i5aac Notebook Consultant

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    Same for me: I thought it would bother me but I've adjusted to it and it's no longer a problem at all. I also thought the off-center screen would bother me but, again, I don't really notice it.
     
  10. QualitySeeker

    QualitySeeker Notebook Consultant

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    Same here. Even switching between normal and "odd" layouts is no problem after some time.