shut off monitor with fn key (I think)

[obalsg]

Pavilion dv6. Playing a game, intending to hit f4*, I instead activated a special command I've never used with a laptop: a symbol that looks a little like a monitor - a rectangle flanked by two vertical lines. Screen went black.

I've tried esc and tried hitting the same command key. Without optimism, I tried cntrl-alt-del. I searched for a simple keyboard map, but I can't find one.

Any help getting my display back is appreciated. TIA.

* VERY annoying that the default is not the fn but the special command.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Try pressing f4 and hit enter.  If that doesn't work, try pressing f4, press the left arrow 3 times and then hit enter.

Regards,

DP-K

[obalsg]

Thanks for the response.

It didn't work. Then I tried the button, left arrow one or twice, then enter. Then I tried different combinations.

Do you know what I actually did the first time, i.e., what that function is? Is there some kind of global override? Will it reset if I just restart with the power button? I'd rather not do that, but this is getting ridiculous.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

I would say from your description that you've set the video output to another ( non present ) screen option.

What OS are you running?  If it's Windows 8, you will probably need to press f4, then the up arrow 3 times and hit enter.

For future reference, you can set the behaviour of the f keys to require the fn key being held down before the default action occurs as follows.

Shut down the notebook.  Tap away at the esc key as you start the notebook to enter the Start-up Menu.  Select the Bios option ( usually f10 ), then make the change shown in the document on the following link.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02035108

Regards,

DP-K

[obalsg]

Windows 7. Still nothing working. Shut it down with the power button?

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You may have to, but first, try to shut it down as follows.

Press the Windows key once, press the right arrow once and then hit enter - wait a good minute to see if this will allow windows to shutdown properly.

Regards,

DP-K

[obalsg]

Well, that shut it down...and now the screen is working. Guess I'll go deal with the fn key screwiness now, as you suggested.

Thanks for the help.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

You're welcome

All the best,

DP-K