Hey guys,

I apologize if this questions has been addressed on this forum before, if so, just post the reference.

I recently installed Fedora Core 1 on my Dell Latitude D600. I successfully downloaded, compiled, and installed the new kernel, 2.6.5. My Fn keys do not work with my previous kernel or the new kernel. For instance, I'd like to press Fn+F8 to swap between my laptop monitor and my externel monitor; however, there is no response from these keys.

I do have ACPI installed, I do have Dell Laptop Extras installed, and all other hardware is working fine. I would just like to gain functionality from these keys.

Any help?

Thanks a lot,
Tom

Those keys dont usualy have anything to do with the operating system at all. I have a Thinkpad, and those keys can be used even before any OS is loaded, they're run by the BIOS. You should check in your BIOS settings to see if there is any settings for the Fn keys, if not, then I would probably call Dell tech support and ask if there is anyway to have it so that the Fn keys are always on, no matter what OS you are using.

I have a DELL 8500 and I can use the Fn keys in Debian eg: Fn + F2 turns my wireless card on and off, I can even access the BIOS from Debian using the keys. I didn't do anything special to my Debian install, straight unstable kernel with no tweaks... I don't have an external montior so I can't test the Fn + F8 bit for you.

I did a Quick Google and found 2 things that might help

1) http://ibgwww.colorado.edu/~lessem/5000e/ says that " External video works by pressing FN-F8 several times. Eventually the display will switch to being external only"

2) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linux-dell-laptops

Thanks for the response, guys..

In regard thte BIOS, the reason that I think this "issue" is software driven is because I previously installed the 2.6.5 kernel with the rpm and the buttons worked. When I uninstalled the rpm and installed the kernel by configing, building, and installing it, the Fn keys stopped working. Odd.

I'll check these links out and see what I find. I've done so much googling and newsgroup reading, I'm getting tired of it

Maybe I'm googling for the wrong things...

Thanks again,
Tom

Okay, I found out that my Fn+F8 key works in graphical mode but does not work in X.
Does anyone know why this is?

I have an Inspirion 1100 with Debian Sarge (test). My Fn + F10 works fine to eject the CD, Fn + up and down work fine to change the brightness, and Fn + F8 appear to change the screen output (I don't have an external to test it on, but it makes the screen do funny things), however, none of the other combos work. I would like to be able to use the Fn-enabled number pad, prnt-screen, etc... I guess I'll look in the bios as well, but I was there before and didn't notice anything.

I guess I don't have much of a question, just reporting my luck with this certain model of laptop and distro.