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    How to swap Fn / Ctrl keys?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by flynn337, Jan 5, 2010.

  1. flynn337

    flynn337 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm new to Thinkpads and I'm having a hard time adjusting to the Fn / Ctrl key positions. I'd like to swap them.

    I read here that new Thinkpads will have a BIOS option to swap them.

    Are there any solutions for current Thinkpads? My X200s has no such BIOS option.
     
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Nope, no such option for current Thinkpads. I wouldn't expect a BIOS upgrade to add this feature either.
     
  3. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    This support is most likely not coming to the older models (e.g. x200s). However, anything is theoretically possible with a future BIOS upgrade.
     
  4. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    according to Lenovo, the bios update wouldn't fix the problem, they will be no such options for the current thinkpads.
     
  5. pstrisik

    pstrisik Notebook Evangelist

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    I have the option to swap Fn/Ctrl in my new T510 BIOS.
    .
     
  6. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    this option is implemented in the new thinkpads.
     
  7. erik

    erik modifier

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    according to who at lenovo?   the swap is determined by the BIOS, not the hardware.   case in point: the X201 has the Fn/Ctrl BIOS switch and uses the exact same keyboard hardware as the X200 (which doesn't have a Fn/Ctrl BIOS switch).   heck, some users on the lenovo forum have gone to the trouble of hacking their BIOS on older models to implement the key swap.   while this isn't supported under warranty, it proves that a swap is possible (albeit it cannot be changed on-the-fly like on new systems).
     
  8. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Maybe he just meant that Lenovo told the community that to basically say no it wont be done for you guys...

    A lot of companies say something isn't possible when it is.
     
  9. erik

    erik modifier

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    jared - you are correct.   as of right now, older BIOSes won't be updated to include the key swap function.   i'm just curious who from lenovo might have stated that the swap was limited by the hardware since that seems to be what lead_org is suggesting.

    i'm checking sources, that's all. ;)
     
  10. flynn337

    flynn337 Notebook Consultant

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    do you have a link?
     
  11. darkwish

    darkwish Notebook Enthusiast

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  12. drake437

    drake437 Notebook Consultant

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    Just curious...why does Lenovo leave the keys that way....I've always read complaints about it in reviews.

    Personally....I love the keys the way they are. Maybe I'm one of the few?

    Poll....anyone?


    drake
     
  13. qweewq11

    qweewq11 Notebook Guru

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    In a bubble, the keys are just fine where they are.
    But pretty much all other keyboards use a traditional setup, so people who use a Thinkpad only part-time get screwed up when using any other computer.
     
  14. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Lenovo keeps it out of traditionalism. Many people who use Thinkpads have used Thinkpads all their lives, and want the keyboard to remain the same.

    In fact, Lenovo did conduct a poll, and a majority of users wanted the keyboard to remain the same, with some users opting for remaining the same + a BIOS key swap, which is what they ended up implementing in the latest generation.

    I must be living in a bubble too... my Averatec has Fn|Ctrl, my external keyboard has Fn|Ctrl, and my T500 has Fn|Ctrl. :p

    Hopefully, Lenovo sticks with its current solution and doesn't feel the need to switch it around.
     
  15. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Heh, 'traditional' setup. As midnightsun said, the thinkpad is, in fact, traditional. Very much so anyhow.