Well, good brands to try that have a software solution are Toshiba (on their Satellite S models (the one I use at the office is a Satellite S875-7370) and dell, though Dell actually does it the right way and makes the FN hold-down required when you want to manipulate the functions of the hardware itself and not those of the OS. And remember that you can always order computers and equipment directly from the manufacturer and confirm everything.
From: David [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 12:16 PM To: Marc Solomon; [email protected] Subject: Re: a question about laptop keyboards I can confirm this behavior. A thorough search on the net, revealed to me, that not only HP, but a number of computer manufacturers are turning more and more into this kind of outlay of the keyboard. A few manufacturers may have a software solution, to turn this off. But for the great majority, including HP, you will need to turn it off in the BIOS. Not only screen reader users are complaining. A lot of sighted users are complaining this change in keyboard layout, simply due to many software requiring them to use the standard f1-f12 functionality. Even operating Microsoft Office, with this kind of a keyboard, best could be named frustrating. Unfortunately, the manufacturers stubbornly stick to their new layout. And, for the visually impaired, the BIOS change, is no real option, long as you don't have a set of eyes available. Big problem in your suggestion of paying attention to what computer you are buying, is that many people today are buying computers either over the net, where they cannot have things confirmed. Alternatively, we go to a place like Walmart or the like, where they may not have the actual computer on display, and all you get is a box in your hand, and a charge on your credit card. No matter which is the case, many of us have ended up with a brand new laptop, that has this kind of silly keyboard layout. True, there still may be available models on the market with the standard layout, but who knows what development will take place on the market. And, it is no new issue either. It has been known for more like a couple of years, according to the messages found on the net. ----- Original Message ----- From: Marc Solomon<mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 2:50 PM Subject: a question about laptop keyboards Hi Kenneth, I just had the opportunity to work with one of our customers who recently purchased an HP Ultrabook running Windows 8. The keyboard layout, specifically the function keys on the keyboard are probably very similar to yours based on the information you provided in your message. The problem you are running into is related to the fact that F1-F12 are no longer the primary function of the keys located on the top row of your keyboard. Instead, HP has designed the keyboard so that these keys perform other functions such as controlling the brightness of the screen and configuring the projector options in Windows. So, if you press the "F2" key when a file is selected, you are not going to be able to rename the file (as the F2 command should allow you to do) but instead will decrease the brightness of your screen. If you want to be able to access a specific function key (e.g. F2, F4, etc.), you will have to press and hold down the Function key and then press F2, F4 or whatever function ke y on the top row of keys you are trying to use. This is a major inconvenience for screen access users but sadly I am seeing this type of keyboard design on a lot of newer laptops especially from HP. One piece of good news is that I was able to press Alt-F4 and the computer I was working on still recognized this as the Windows Close command. I wouldn't have expected it to work but for some reason this combination does work as it has in the past. There might be a way to turn all of this off by uninstalling all of the HP related software on the computer but I can't guarantee that will solve the problem. For others on the list, this is one example of why it is so important to make sure the portable computer you are going to buy has a keyboard that will meet your needs before you make the investment. You can always connect a full size USB keyboard to work around this problem but that won't always be an option when you are using your computer on the go. Thanks, Marc Subject: a question about laptop keyboards From: Kenneth T Son <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Date: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 07:43:03 -0400 Hello. I have an hp notebook computer and some of the function keys apparently have different assignments than what they are supposed to do when activated. Also I can not change window eyes voices with the control and alt and arrow keys. So I assume the set up in this computer uses those keys for something. I can press f4 and try to play a goldwave file loaded into gold wave and I get some kind of a menu that pops up saying projector options. Some or I should say most of the function keys do not work properly and again I can't change voices with the assigned window eyes keys. How do I turn all of this stuff off so I will have a regular keyboard again? Kenneth Son. If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
