F1-F12 only work when shift key is used

[Steve-801]

I have a friend whose laptop (CQ56) seems to have the same problem. It seems as though their keyboard is havin a number of issues that several people have mentioned in these forums, but it seems that everybody's issues (my friend's included) are very dissimilar.

The issue that my friend has depends on the program used.

In certain programs, the F1-F12 keys function as intended (F# by default, Fn+F# for a subfunction).

In other programs, like online games where the F# keys are used for party member selection, for example, the F# can only be used by pressing Shift+F#. This is not a function of the game. I do not know anybody else playing with a Compaq to ask if they have the same issue. I do not know if a key combination or sequence was entered to enable or lock anything. This has been very puzzling to decipher.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

[ferozonline]

>as soon as you turn on the laptop start tapping f10 key

>if u get message exit saving changes select yes or no select no and press enter use the arrow keys on the keyboard

>check diffrent tabs on top

>> you may find option called action keys enable it if is disabeld or disable it if it is enabled

[Steve-801]

This is not the solution.

The problem is not whether or not the F1-F12 keys should have their default, primary use be either F1-F12 or should have their Fn subfunction uses (volume, brightness, wireless on/off, etc.) be default. The issue is that the issue is not consistent. The variance (as far as I can tell) is that while using certain programs, like games, the Shift key must be used in conjunction with the F# keys to get them to use their default value.

What would be helpful in solving this issue is to know what criteria would require using Shift+F#. What would Shift+F# be used for normally?

Thanks, once again.

[Cloud_Strider]

It does sound like the programs are using specialized commands. It is the programs that determine what the F1-F12 keys do and how they are used within that program.

To be of further assistance, I need to know exactly what programs where the shift key is needed to use the F1-F12 keys.

Also, what is the exact model of the notebook? There are many models within the CQ56 family.
NOTE: Do not provide the serial number.

[Steve-801]

I wonder if this board uses BBcode...

(It doesn't, but should, so that I could do this):

[quote=" Cloud_Strider"]It does sound like the programs are using specialized commands. It is the programs that determine what the F1-F12 keys do and how they are used within that program.[/quote]

The programs are not causing this issue. This problem does not seem to occurr for anybody else.

[quote=" Cloud_Strider"]...exactly what programs where the shift key is needed to use the F1-F12 keys.[/quote]

One program in question is the game Shaiya, published by Aeriagames. Even though F1 by default opens help (in Notepad, for example),  F1 does not work as F1 in this game. Shift+F1 does act like F1, however. The same is true for F2-F12, Shift is required for them to function as intended. Without Shift, they seem to be either completing their subfunction tasks or do nothing at all. Ctrl, Alt, etc. seem to have no effect.

[quote=" Cloud_Strider"]Also, what is the exact model of the notebook? There are many models within the CQ56 family.[/quote]

If I have the opportunity to ask, I will. In the meantime, while I am gathering this info, anything else you can think of would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Cloud_Strider]

Out of curiosity, did you try ferozonline's steps to disable action keys mode?

It does sound like the action keys become default in certain programs. Disabling action keys mode would help isolate the issue further.  I can only assume that you did disable action keys mode and the issue persisted which is what leads me to believe it is either the programs in question or a third party program that had this unknown side effect.

You have already dismissed the one item that I do know to be the absolute truth: programs control what and how the F1-F12 keys are used. This ranges from program to program and there are even keyboard programs (particularly with gaming keyboards) that can cause this as well.

Function keys can act in different ways in every program. Unfortunately, defaults are not universal across the board. I have many games where function keys do not do the same thing as it does in other programs.

If you truly believe it is the notebook software, such as Windows, then a recovery would bring the system all the way back to factory defaults and verify. I do not believe this is necessary, but it would rule out third party programs. In the end, it may be necessary if we are not able to pinpoint what third party program is causing this behavior.

Just to note, it is not Windows causing the issue if the F1-F12 keys function normally in Microsoft programs such as Notepad.

Unfortunately, Shaiya does not provide any support documents that are as detailed as what I need and I do not wish to install this game on my work notebook. Since you have only mentioned games as your examples throughout this thread, I am led to believe the issue is only present within games. If that is true, then this does indicate some gaming software is augmenting the functions of the games. Do you have any other examples?

I suspect that there is some software that was installed that had this little side effect that was not known when it was installed and this would be the missing piece of the puzzle that no one knows.

I myself am a gamer and have played on many systems ranging from pre-built to custom-built with various operating systems. I do know that Windows and HP do not have any software that will require the shift key to be used with an F1-F12 in specific programs.

However, what exactly happens when you do press the F1-F12 keys by themselves in the programs? The behavior of pressing F1-F12 (end result) can help identify or narrow down the list of what can cause this. I know you mentioned that they perform their default subfunctions. Are these the blue Fn functions?

Also, is there any specialized keyboard software installed? A lot of gaming keyboards (there can be others, gaming keyboards is just an example) have software that affects the functions of keys within the game in ways the game does not have them programmed to by default. It augments them so to speak.

There is something that is causing this that is not related to Windows (Windows does not have a setting to cause the behavior you described). The keyboard layout could have been changed inadvertently, but the symptoms would persist across the board and not just in specific programs.

It may be worth trying disabling the startup group.

1. Go to Start and search for msconfig.

2. Open the msconfig result.

3. You should get the msconfig utility opened that looks like the image below.


4. Under the general tab, select Selective Startup and uncheck Load startup items.

5. Click apply and ok.

6. Reboot when prompted.

Once the system is back up, load only the programs in question and try using the F1-F12 keys and report back the behavior.

Let me know what happens.

[Cloud_Strider]

This may sound strange, but try disabling User Account Control. It seems that some games do not play nice with user account controls based on a little research I have done.

The steps in this document from Microsoft. If disabling UAC does not prompt for a reboot, reboot the system anyway to ensure it gets applied.

This is a long shot, but it is worth trying.

If this has no effect, then proceed with my previous post.

[Steve-801]

Eh, didn't notice the Quote button here, it could have beeter placed. Since I don't like the format it uses, either, I'll do this instead:

Cloud_Strider wrote: "Out of curiosity, did you try ferozonline's steps to disable action keys mode?"

Yes.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "You have already dismissed the one item that I do know to be the absolute truth: programs control what and how the F1-F12 keys are used."

I have, since no other user must use the Shift key, F# work solo for me annd everybody else. If any other user did this key combination, I might be inclined to believe this were the issue. If that user were also using a laptop from the same model line, I might be more inclined to think it were some issue with the line, though.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "If you...believe it is...software, such as Windows..."

I do not.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "I suspect that there is some software that was installed..."

They used to use third party software like GameGuard, but the program does not appear to be installed with the later versions. It does not run in the background, I do not see it start when starting the game. I do not know what (if any) third party software they use now. They are understandably tight-lipped, in an attempt to prevent cheating, but also unhelpfully tight-lipped when a user has an issue. Frustrating.

I agree that nobody can know how every line of code will interact with every user's specific configuration of hardware, software, drivers, etc.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "...what exactly happens when you do press the F1-F12 keys by themselves in the programs?"

Either no function (the Shift disables the F# maybe), the F# key acts as F# (default operation), or that the kkey operates in the subrange (volume, brightness, etc.). There is no determining factor that I can see. Yes, the subfunctions that I mention are the blue Fn functions that should only be occurring when Fn+F# is used.

*As an aside, I must wonder why the Fn (function) key was added when the F# keys are in essence, function keys. This is like asking someone to press Function+Function1, sort of redundant in my opinion.*

Cloud_Strider wrote: "...any specialized keyboard software installed?"

No. Only the laptop as it is (an external mouse, of course, but nothing else).

Cloud_Strider wrote: "There is something that is causing this that is not related to Windows."

Agreed.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "The keyboard layout could have been changed inadvertently, but the symptoms would persist across the board and not just in specific programs."

True, and I have thought of this. I do not know where or how besides control panel, and that seems to be ok. The "...persist across the board..." troubles me, since were this the case, I feel it might be eaier to fix. Actually, I am sure it would be.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "It may be worth trying disabling the startup group."

Already done, no effect.

Cloud_Strider wrote: "It seems that some games do not play nice with user account controls based on a little research I have done."

Only for one user? Does not happen for me, nor anybody else I have spoken to.

Once again, thank you for assisting.

[Steve-801]

Cloud_Strider wrote: "edited 11-13-2012 08:17 AM"

I was typing my long response, did I miss something? I can't see any change, was it important enough to possibly change my answers?

[Cloud_Strider]

You did not miss anything, you already covered all of my questions.

User Account Control is on an account by account basis. Like I said, it is a long shot that is worth trying as I don't have anything else at this exact moment.

We are approaching the point of recovery as many of the usual steps to isolate a program that is causing this has not worked at this point. I am certain a recovery would correct the issue (as long as the offending program was not reinstalled), but that is a little extreme and don't like to do that unless necessary. I will continue researching this to ensure no other solutions are being overlooked before recommending the recovery option.

Just to be certain, how long has this issue been occurring? A system restore may do the trick if this was a fairly recent development.