FN + F1-F12 Hotkeys not working WIN7

[silents429]

So basically on my fresh install of Windows 7 on my ThinkPad Edge 15 (0319-46U)

The hoykeys aren't working for controlling anything with my FN + F1 - F12 Such as the volume and brightness.

I got the driver for it I believe from lenovo's site It was labeled
"Hotkey Features Integration for Windows 8 (32-bit, 64-bit), 7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Vista (32-bit, 64-bit), XP and 2000 - ThinkPad ... Learn more"

Which is normally what I needed last install. However on my previous Win7 install it randomly stopped working but didn't care too much since I was planning this fresh install anyway.

As it turns out the problem is still here and I am not quite sure why.

I already scanned with MalwareBytes Pro
I updated the computer (Carefully to ensure I didn't get outdated Windows Update drivers) All successfully.
Googled.
I enabled the "Human Interface Device Access" option in services which wasn't running.


And probably other random stuff I tried. The onscreen display of these, like if I manually adjust the volume, it shows the bar in the middle of my screen moving so I know the Lenovo driver I installed is working.

On my other Vaio laptop everything like this worked right away even without drivers so I don't really know whats up.

Any ideas?

 EDIT

I also forgot to mention that since I use FN + F1-F12 or whatever to do stuff I also can't use it in my games anymore where FN + F7 would normally display my framerate it no longer works.

Don't know if thats useful or not >.<

[Tomas_Sweden]

Have you read this?
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=102863

Tomas

[silents429]

I didn't have this driver, I normally did so everything fit. But after getting it, and confirming it works. Since the power manager icon is in the lower corner again.

But the hotkeys STILL aren't working.

How frustrating heh.

Maybe I just didn't get the right links..
Kind of have insomnia this week, not thinking correctly.



Not to jump ahead, but I am actually having multiple issues with this installation. Since I haven't done anything beyond updates and drivers I am going to just reinstall. Won't take anymore then 30 minutes, See if thats all it is.

[Shane]

I know on the HP laptops that when I reinstall them for a customer, doesnt matter what version of Windows, the keys do not work untill I install the HP software for the keys.

The right driver and the right software makes a big difference. Since the Fn key isnt part of a normal keyboard the mfgs have to make their own tool detect and run the commands of the custom keys.

What other problems where you having after the install?

Shane

[silents429]

I installed Vista instead. I have a list of reasons as to why I prefer it over 7. Thas for some other time though.


But the other issues were slowdowns, the CPU usage skyrocketing, the shutdown hanging, some .exe didn't work etc


Anyway. You were right doesn't matter which OS because its still a problem and I don't know what else I can actually do now.

I thought I had the right software but I guess I don't. Theres only 1 driver on there site thats for hotkeys so I had that. And from the link provided I got the right power manager I think.
Not sure if its the right one but its working fine. They don't have one listed for some reason I had to go hunt it down, but this laptop was supported in the readme.

Well at least the other random oddities are gone.

[Shane]

I dont hear too many people say they prefer vista lol

Shane

[silents429]

I never had issues with it. Far less then Windows 7.

Rather backwards but with some tweaking even Vista runs fine.

[Shane]

Yeah I could always tweak vista to run way better than the default for customers. Vista and 7 are the same, just vista had such a bad rap MS changed its name to 7 instead of Vista SE like they did with 98.

When I tweak 7 I make that sucker fly lol

Shane

[silents429]

That and Vista is the first OS I bought on my own.


Erm. Anyway. Is it possible the hotkeys not working isn't driver related? I mean it DID stop working on its own out of the blue before reinstalling windows.

Though I would assume the reinstall would have fixed that.

[Tomas_Sweden]

Have you read this?
http://support.lenovo.com/en_SE/diagnose-and-fix/detail.page?DocID=HT062603

Did you download from these links?:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS032405
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS014985

Tomas

[Shane]

Possible the fn key itself isnt working any more or is having trouble. I have had to replace a lot of keyboards because of keys giving out.

To read the keyboard keys being clicked isnt difficult so I dont really think it is a driver problem, but always possible. It may be hardware related after all and not software.

Shane

[silents429]

Welp lets further add to this.

I got both those drivers, Yes.

I read the article and I have everything setup to start up.

Though I don't have Lenovo battery management, Just Lenovo Power Management. Granted I don't think theres much of an issue
in that.

And I confirmed it wasn't hardware related because, in the bios I set it so I don't use the FN key for those.

So now F1 will unmute or mute instead of just being F1.

But Fn+F1 will be F1.


Flipped em.

[Shane]

It is hard to tell without seeing it myself.

Could just be the keyboard itself, but thats on the low end of possibilities. But the reason it is an option, the problem started out of nowhere, multiple types of OS installs and software and drivers still isnt make it work right.

The reinstalls and multiple programs and drivers should have covered if it was software related. While the Fn key may work, there could be a problem with the signal the keyboard is sending, again only a small thing to consider. Normally I wouldn't even thing that, but it is all the other parts you have already covered well that makes me think it.

I say try a full power reset.

Turn the system off,m pull the power cord, pull the battery. With everything unhooked like that try to turn the system on a few times. That will drain all the juice out of the hardware. That is the only way to properly reset hardware.

Now put everything back in and boot up and see if it helped at all.

Shane

[silents429]

Oh my god. OH MY GOD.

It actually worked O_o

Yeah that full reset worked.


Thank you guys for helping,
I most certainly wouldn't have thought to have done that one.

[Shane]

I would be surprised how many times a full power reset does the trick.

Ever hear someone say their computer wasnt working right, then they unhooked it and took it to a computer shop and when it got there it worked fine? Thats because all the electricity drained out and the hardware was able to reset

It works on any electronic. Ever have problem with your phone? Phone support always has you pull the battery and hold the power button, why? Power reset

That little trick there has worked a LOT of times.

Had 1 customer, 2 computers in the back. They had a power blimp about 20 min before. Both computers locking up hard before they even got to the Windows screen. When they told me there was a power blimp I had them pull the power cords and drain them. They looked at me like I was an idiot lol

When the plugged them back in and both booted up with no problems they never questioned me again LOL

Shane

[silents429]

I did this when I had issues with the battery. Which worked.

But that was 2 years ago. I really don't know how doing this slipped my routine of fixing.



I am so very glad I remember its importance, Now I need to go install 300 updates. ;-;

Thank you again though.

[Shane]

Happy to help

Shane