Hi David retiree,

Welcome to the Dell Community,

Thank you for posting on Dell Community Forum, regarding unable to turn on “fn” key.

There is no separate option to turn off the fn key on Inspiron 1501. You need to press and hold it in order to use the function. You can use the fn keys for following options:

Display Functions

Switches the video image to the next display option. The options include the integrated display, an external monitor, and both displays simultaneously.

and up-arrow key Increases brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

and down-arrow key Decreases brightness on the integrated display only (not on an external monitor).

Power Management

Actives a power management mode. You can reprogram this keyboard shortcut to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties window.

Speaker Functions

Increases the volume of the integrated speakers and external speakers, if attached.

Decreases the volume of the integrated speakers and external speakers, if attached.

Enables and disables the integrated speakers and external speakers, if attached.

Please reply to the post if you have any further queries.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Santosh_J
Dell Social Media Responder
https://twitter.com/DelllCares
https://www.facebook.com/Dell