F key

[puccini]

A friend has a Multivision (company now defunct) desktop comp. running XP Home. It is in good working order, but the keyboard doesn’t have any function keys, just one key marked F. She has no interest in computers, just uses it for writing letters and emailing, and doesn’t want to buy a new keyboard, but I’d like to be able to for instance get into the BIOS or safe mode if the need arises. How do I use that F key? I’ve tried it with the number keys, but nothing happens.

[EzyStvy]

$4.00 for a new keyboard would be the way to go.

You can try:

Keytweak is a free keyboard remapper for Windows NT/2000/XP. It makes use of Microsoft's Scancode Map registry key to remap your keyboard. VB6 Runtime files are required, but are already present on Windows 2000/XP.

http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/

[puccini]

She is adamant that she doesn't want a new keyboard. She positively likes this one and doesn't understand what function keys are for! She doesn't even use the Mail, forward or back buttons!

I will explore that link, thanks. But it does seem strange, given that the computer isn't that old, that there isn't a perfectly simple way to use that single F key, which must have been put there for a reason.

[glc]

Bring your own keyboard over when you have to do work on it............

[puccini]

"Bring your own keyboard over when you have to do work on it............"


Yes, I think that has to be the answer. (But I would like to solve the mystery.)

[nocturnx]

Are you able to link a picture of this keyboard? I am curious.

[puccini]

I don't have access to it at the moment, but it looks like a perfectly standard keyboard, with back and forward buttons, + buttons for mail, computer and all the usual things - but just one key marked F. The v. brief manual doesn't refer to it and it is a mystery, because it must have been intended to be used as a function key.