function key and keyboards

[exia]

is there any way to mimic the function key found on most laptop keyboards? I want to be able to control my laptop's brightness with my mechanical keyboard. a bonus if the method works, so far nothing has.

is the a way to do the above with an on screen keyboard?

[itlnstln]

That's a good question.  That might be something that is specific to the keyboard.  That is, the "Fn" key doesn't actually send a code to the PC but only activates something locally in the keyboard's firmware.  Somebody with a Das S, HHKB, laptop keyboard could probably check to see of there is a scancode associated with the Fn key.

[itlnstln]

Just to clarify that last post...  If the keyboard (particularly a laptop 'board) actually sends a scancode with the Fn key, then it should be possible to map that key with something like Autohotkey.

[Rajagra]

My USB IBM Ultranav keyboard doesn't seem to send any scan code for the Fn key, nor for the brightness up/down combos. Clearly it must send something - or it wouldn't work to control brightness on a Thinkpad. But what it sends must be of a lower level than normal scan codes, or maybe something needs to be enabled by the PC when it is plugged in? Or maybe a signal is only sent when a certain scan code set is used.

In any case, KeyTweak and Aqua's Keytest see nothing at all.

I don't think there is anything you can do to mimic the Fn key etc directly. But there is a possibility you can mimic the individual actions you need in AutoHotkey. Try searching their forum.

[msalivar]

The brightness and some other function key combinations send ACPI events, like a lid close on a laptop, or power buttons.

[spolia optima]

My Dell netbook automatically changes R-alt (or one of the modifiers, i forgot) to the FN key when an external KB is detected.

I think.