Fn Key does not work in Brand New I8600. How do you turn it on?

For some of the shortcuts that use the Fn key, you need to install the Dell Quickset software. It is on the Dell Resource CD that came with your laptop.

Also, if you are trying to use the FN key on the number "keypad" built into the keyboard you often need to have Numlock on for it to work. So turn Numlock on and now try the FN key on the keypad. Another way to definitively test is to press FN + the Down arrow, which should lower the brightness. If nothing hapens (press it a few times), then it is probably not working (or the software is not installed/ installed properly).

stu

it should work without any software.  i would call dell tech support on this issue because it may be the keyboard that is defective or even worse the keyboard controller.

03/26/02 Main System Sits in the Dock
Dell Precision M50 BIOS A12, WindowsXP Media Center Edition, 15" Ultrasharp, P4 2.5GHz-M, 1024MB DDR, 60GB 7200rpm, 60GB 5400rpm, 40GB 5400rpm, USB2.0 Enclosure, 8X/24X Combo, 24X CDRW, 1.44MB Floppy, 66WHr Battery x 3, Quadro4 700 GoGL w/ 44.68 Detonator, 1300 802.11b/g, USB2.0 PCMCIA, IEEE 6-pin PCMCIA. *M50 Hinge Cover and LCD Plastics*

01/30/04 Sits in the Corner
Inspiron 8600 BIOS A03, WindowsXP TabletPC Edition, 15.4" Ultrasharp, P-M 1.6GHz, 1024MB DDR, 60GB 7200rpm, 40GB 5400rpm, 4x DVD+R/+RW, 1.44MB Floppy, ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo w/ Omega 54.14, 1300 b/g

02/02/04 Dell Auction for $511.01 - Work System
Latitude L400, XP Pro, pIIIm 700MHz, 256MB, 20GB 4200rpm

09/19/02 Old School System
Latitude X200, XP Pro, pIIIm 800MHz, 384MB, 30GB 4200, TM1150

11/15/03 New School System
Latitude X300, XP Pro, P-M 1.2GHz, 640MB, 40GB 5400, TM1300

02/03/04 Just for Kicks
Axim X3i, PocketPC 2003, 400MHz, 64MB ram, 64MB rom, integrated 802.11b