Can't turn on the wireless switch :(

[celerity]

 Hello everyone!!!
 
 
The only way to turn on my wireless internet on my Dell Insprion 800 is to push Fn+F2. However, being as my girlfriend somehow melted my keyboard a bit, and now either the Fn button or the F2 button, or the combination, doesn't work. I know the router and all works fine, I just don't have access to these keys to turn the switch on anymore. I have NO idea how to get around this, and I can't find a USB keyboard that has a Fn button. Please, help me. Thanks a ton in advance  [smiley=cool.gif] I've dug through everything in the control panel, looked for programs for virtual keyboards I could program, everything I can think of. a fricken thing else to try, so if one of you figures it out, I'll be more grateful than you can possibly imagine.
  
 
***EDit. I'm actually not sure where I should place this question, so if anyone can guide me to the appropriate forum I'd appreciate that as well.

[Calum]

That's unlucky.
The only thing I can think of is trying to get in touch with Dell, see what they have to say about it.
You won't find a keyboard that will do it for you, and it won't be on an on-screen keyboard either (I don't thnik so anyway, my on-screen KB doesn't have an Fn button and my laptop does).

[2k_dummy]

Unfortunately, the Fn key cannot be remapped or stuffed with a keyboard buffer stuffer. It produces no scancode of its own and only modifies the scancode of the key that gets pressed with it. It does it at a low level and its function is not seen by windows.

[celerity]

Unfortunately, the Fn key cannot be remapped or stuffed with a keyboard buffer stuffer. It produces no scancode of its own and only modifies the scancode of the key that gets pressed with it. It does it at a low level and its function is not seen by windows.

I'm going to assume that means I'm screwed

[Calum]

It means you won't find another KB with an Fn key, and there's no way to emulate it.
At least, I think that's what is meant.
I'd try getting in touch with Dell, see if they can replace your KB for you.

[2k_dummy]

I'm going to assume that means I'm screwed

Maybe, maybe not. If it is built in, you could try disabling it and use a PCMCIA card. It would not be dependent on the Fn key combo but would use its own drivers.

[AlienPirate]

hi possibly suggestion  is to hold the alt key down and using the numeric keypad type in the char (ascii) equivelent of the fn plus f2 key.

my guess would be hold down [altkey] then type 0000 0105 it may or may not work but will not destroy anything if it does not - alternately have a look at http://www.usnetizen.com/fix_capslock.html which talks about remapping XP keys via the reg edit file!! (should be fun!) but if you go this route have the valium, coffee and alarm clock by your side for it will be a long session!

know anything about emails that do don't do don't pick up on a radio / broad band link?

[2k_dummy]

remapping XP keys via the reg edit file!

Won't work. You have to edit the scan codes. Fn does not have one.

[Rob Pomeroy]

I bet you that Dell has a utility that you can download that can control this.  Look up your laptop on Dell's website.  The Fn combos can usually be emulated.  (It's the physical wireless on/off switches that are the real problem.)