Ctrl key on Thinkpad

I usually use my left small finger to use the control key on a regular keyboard. Now I find it very difficult to use the left control key now becos the Fn key took its place.

Is there a way to swap the Fn key and the Ctrl key?

 

You may try to remap the keys via some software or registry entries etc. Do a google search about this topic...

http://www.google.de/search?q=ibm+thinkpad+windows+ctrl+remap+-linux&hl=de&lr=&start=10&sa=N

...and you should find a bunch of material about this theme.

I slightly remember that there were once some tool from a Thinkpad user which exactly addresses this, but sadly I've forgotten the name and link of that tool.

Take also a look over the Lenovo/IBM keyboard utilities etc. for older Thinkpads there was also once such an tool directly from IBM.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/multiplefiledownload.do?validate=true

 

Thanks for the input vkyr. Seems the generic key remapping tools out there won't regonize the Fn keys on laptops.

There seems to be a way to create a registry entry to remap scancodes and I'm not sure if it is feasible.

Anyone else have any insights? Thanks.

 

Well, i had the same issue and still sometimes tap the Fn key instead of the control. But tapping the Fn key does no harm or unexpected effects and now i got used to it.

I would suggest not messing with the Registry and stuff and to try first to get used to the ThinkPad design. If it doesn't work for you, you can always do the Registery key mapping and stuff later. Just to be on the safe side.

 

Just Remove the Fn Key physically:

Just remove the plastic key from the keyboard. It is comes off quite easily. And is easy to snap back in place. Your finger will not mistake the soft plastic nub for a regular key, yet it will still be functional to change brightness etc.

It may even be better since the control key is closer than it would be and easier to reach as compared to if you were able to remap the two keys.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124235
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=232825

The fn key is not controlled by Windows.

 

I think that would look pretty unpleasant.

 

At least the FN key does no harm unlike the windows key. You kinda get used to it but I still had a moment of "why isn't this working" when I was pressing FN+V instead of Ctrl-V trying to paste something.

 

I hated the location of the left ctl key when I first got my T61 about six months ago. As I suspected, though, you do get used to it. I don't even notice it now.

 

Yes, you will get used to it. Many of us have gotten used to it. And, yes, I would think that actually removing the Fn key will make it look like hooey.

 

After several weeks, I'm still getting used to mine.

But what is much worse to me about the Fn key, is that it doesn't instantly activate the numpad keys. You have to hit Fn+NmLk then hit the numpad keys you want, then hit Fn+NmLk again to go back to the regular keyboard.

Very annoying... every other laptop I've tried I can just hold down Fn while I enter the keypad keys I want, then just let go of Fn, and it's ready to go.

 

hate to say it but you'll probably have to

a) get used to it (i did with almost a year in)
b) use an external keyboard (i hear they make some real nice rollable and also foldable ones now)


these seem to be our only options until lenovo puts out some sort of bios toggle feature

but you can remap the fn key to ctrl and THEN (after releasing) hit "A" (in order to select all) using a script

check out the forums on http://www.autohotkey.com/ for the latest on such scripts


the lenovo keyboard program will let you remap other keys (like the windows key) but not much else

good luck and hit us back up if you find any news