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switching fn for ctrl on a ThinkPad t60

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trud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-11 07:46 AM
Original message
switching fn for ctrl on a ThinkPad t60
I bought a used lenovo ThinkPad T60. I am used to using HP Pavilions where the Fn and Ctrl keys are in the opposite positions as on the T60, and I am having trouble retraining my fingers.

So i looked for info about how to swap them. I understand KeyTweak doesn't work on the Fn key, and then I ran across a message about getting to the BIOS.

I have never messed with BIOS stuff before, but I did interrupt booting, get to it, but do not see swapping the Fn and Ctrl keys listed among the keyboard options. So I am guessing this feature is maybe in a newer verison of the BIOS.

I don't want to trash my laptop, but I'd like to swap the functioning of these keys - is there an idiotproof way?

Also, I used the onetouch Pavilion keys a lot to invoke Firefox or thunderbird. Is there a way to make a key on the T60 keyboard do that? There are several keys I never use for anything, like PgUp, etc.

Thanks.
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whistler162 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-11 09:51 AM
Response to Original message
1. I doubt the BIOS will have anything for remappng the keybord
I did find this page that might help - http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/remap-keyboard.htm

You could also buy a roll up usb keyboard 104 keys for under $20
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-11 10:53 AM
Response to Original message
2. Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator
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trud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-11 11:28 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. thanks
Edited on Tue Jul-12-11 11:29 AM by trud
I just tried the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator. It doesn't appear to handle the Fn key.

IBM apparently cooked a BIOS to allow swapping Fn and Ctrl, but perhaps not for the earlier systems. I don't know anything about messing with the BIOS in terms of installing an edited one, so I was hoping someone had fixed a version for the T60 and there were directions somewhere.

I think we can be pretty sure I'm not going to keep both the laptop and an extra keyboard in my lap :-)
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-12-11 11:45 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. Keyboard Customizer Utility?
Keyboard Customizer Utility for Windows 2000, XP - ThinkPad
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS013973

Keyboard Customizer Utility for Windows Vista - ThinkPad
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS000695
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blogslut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jul-17-11 09:50 AM
Response to Original message
5. Not sure it's possible on a Thinkpad
The "Fn" key in combo with the "Page Up" key controls the most wonderful Thinklight and I'm pretty sure that's hardwired. I could be wrong.
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