Why don't my F keys work on my wireless keyboard?

[JohnnyScience]

I have a Microsoft wireless Natural keyboard

I don't think the F keys have ever worked.

Now my son is playing a game that requires these keys so I have to have a 2nd keyboard with a cord attached so he can play.

How can I get these F keys to work properly on my Microsoft keyboard?

 

[Slartybart]

Try finding the information in the help (only on the disk as part of the install)
Start menu > All Programs > Microsoft Keyboard > Help

You can also updat the driver (I had a MS wireless 8000?? deskset and the newer drivers helped)
it's probably just a setup though.

intellitype - keyboard
intellipoint - mouse (if you have a set)

There's also a chance that you might have to lock the function key (function lock - similar to the scroll lock and num lock keys)

What model keyboard (there are five naturals listed on the ms site.

edit: forgot the download link: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/downloads#keyboard

 

[carwiz]

There must be some problem with the setup. I have several wireless and IR control devices. I didn't install the bloatware and drivers for my Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse so Windows installed the generic drivers. Everything works. I can't imagine why a "Microsoft" keyboard wouldn't work unless as Slartybart eludes it may not be standard.

 

[Slartybart]

Ken, I suggested the drivers because of my experience with the MS desktop set. My HW ran fine on XP, but lousy on Vista. When I got the Win7 machine, I tried them again. Not much change from Vista, though so I looked at Win7 supported hardware and guess what? The set wasn't supported on Win7 (yeah, it was old, but not that old). Later, I looked at the download page I linked above and the intelitype driver had a Win7 driver for it. I downloaded it and had better performance from the KB and the mouse - not great but better.

Since you made think about it again, I'm leaning towards the function lock.... hold on let me get up and look at the old HW

Ok, I'm back. It is a Desktop 6000 v2.0 set and there is a F lock key.

When JohnnyScience answer the model number question, we can give better answers.

Hey Mr. Science - didn't want to leave you out of this.

Can you fill in a little more of your system specs - the mother board only says Asus.
Take a look at my or carwiz's specs (lower area of any member's post) to see what helps us help other members - fill in as much as you can.

An easy way to do this is to follow the "Easy System Specs" link in my signature.

 

[derekimo]

Just some additional info already covered,

Resolve unexpected Function (F1 - F12) or other special key behavior on a Microsoft keyboard

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks Derek. I'm really exercising the old brain cells now... I think on one of my machines (albeit older) there was a BIOS control for function lock - I could be wrong and I don't have the machine in working order to check.

 

[JohnnyScience]

There's also a chance that you might have to lock the function key (function lock - similar to the scroll lock and num lock keys)

OMG I think this was the problem the whole time! I didn't realize there was a fucntion key for the F keys. That button works fine & seems to activate the F keys.

Hopefully I'm all set, if not I'll be back.

Thanks!

 

[Slartybart]

That's exactly what I said when I discovered the FN lock key - OMG, how long has that been there?

Glad you got it sorted.

Bill
.