DV7 4000 Backlit Keyboard Upgrade Issue: Action Keys Incorrect [ Edited ]

[italiano1]

I bought a backlit keyboard from an envy 17 and put it in my DV7 4285dx.  It fits fine and everything (I am typing on it now), except I had to hook up the leds to one of the USB ports because the connection labeled keyboard backlight has no power to it.  I tried pressing f5 fn+f5  fn+space and any other combinations that are supposed to toggle the backlight to no avail, but this isn't really a problem for me.

The problem I am having is that all of the action keys (on function keys) are still mapped the same as they were on the original keyboard, for example f10 is volume up on the original keyboard and f8 on the new one, however it is still f10 that increases the volume on the new one.  So I guess my question is how can I change/remap the action keys to function according to their markings.  I know this was possible on the old dv9000 series' quicklaunch buttons, so I'm guessing that it should be possible.

Any help will be appreciated. (I'm not a noob so don't be afraid to be technical if need be.)

[italiano1]

anybody out there?

[italiano1]

someone must know a way to fix this. Something with the bios?

[niekdejong · Accepted solution]

a possible program could be Keytweak.

It allows you to remap your keys. but i don't know if it works with te FN + F* keys. it just remaps your whole key. For example if you remap the F6 key to the place of the F8 key, the F8 key becomes the F6 key.

Gr niek.

[italiano1]

I downloaded this program and it did the job.  It detected the action keys as separate from the function keys so I was able to fix all of the except the wifi one, which it wouldn't recognize.

     Thanks very much

[monterube31]

i was wondering how you hooked the led up to the usb? im trying to do it myself

[hoangthong_vo]

dv7-4296nr can install a backlit keyboard?

[slocky]

Hi Italiano - how did you determine that the Envy 17 keyboard would be a compatible replacement for the dv7?  I'd like to upgrade my dv7 6157NR keyboard to backlit but can't find any useful info. I need to be sure an Envy 17 keyboard will fit before I spend the money. So I was just wondering how you knew the Envy would fit your model of dv7.

[akaKJB]

Hi!  I'm glad I found this thread because the only thing I don't like about my TouchSmart tm2 is the lack of a backlit keyboard.  I've found a few on eBay, like the one for the Pavillion DM4-1100 DM4 that look like they'd fit and are nearly identical (it has page up / page down keys, the TouchSmart uses ctl+up & ctl+dwn for paging).  I've been told they're incompatible but if the power can be wired to the USB port (which I currently have to tie up with a keyboard light anyway) and the keys be remapped using the software, could I replace my keyboard with this one or something like it? 

I really need a backlit keyboard to the point that I'll have to look into another laptop, which I don't want to do because even though I got a great price on my tm2 new ($800!) it was still kind of expensive for me. Sure,  I could always sell it but then I'd have to look at something like a tablet with an external backlit kb but that seems like a big step down to me.

Many thanks in advance for any help anyone could give me on this!