Change the Interpretation of One Key on a Keyboard?

sponsoredwalk

The left Ctrl button on my laptop keyboard fell off & it's unbelievably,
unbelievably, annoying as I need to paste via "ctrl v" every 5 seconds.
My keyboard has a "Fn" button right next to it that does absolutely nothing.
Is there any way to modify my settings so that I can reassign "ctrl" to this
"Fn" button?
In fact, to complicate things, is there any way to do this in such a manner
so as not to have to alter the settings in any programs?
For example, to get firefox to recognize "Fn v" as if I was trying "Ctrl v"
to paste? I'm on windows 7, thanks :cool:

mp22

Have a read here http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/map-any-key-to-any-key-on-windows-xp-vista/

Fysh

If the previous response doesn't work, have a read of this article. And let us know if either option fixes your problem - it'd be useful to know in case anyone else has the problem in future

Capt'n Midnight

not sure if this will handle the Fn key because not all hardware setups of it produce scan codes you can use

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/goglobal/bb964665


http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/topic298.html - lists an app to find scan codes


in ubuntu you can use showkey to show the scancodes, BUT this only works in a separate session Alt-F2 etc. rather than in a console in a window

sponsoredwalk

I got the SharpKeys program, in the first link, to work in the sense that I
have reassigned Ctrl to the previously annoying windows button.
That program doesn't recognize the Fn key though, & reading the
comments on that page tells me it's damn near impossible to set up
scan codes for the Fn key in that program.
Furthermore I think the guide in the "mystery of the Fn key" link is not
working for me because I'm on a 64 bit laptop.
Also, the keystroke program doesn't register any keys other than space
& + for some reason

I think I'm gonna have a hell of a time training my left baby finger not to
reach for the very corner of the keyboard where the missing key is &
not to reach for the extremely tempting Fn key but towards the one
key [windows button] I'd trained my hand to completely avoid [due to
the start menu popping up all the time] :P

GreenWolfe

Could you remap CapsLock to LeftCtrl instead? Granted, you'd have to retrain your hands yet again but it might do as a temporary solution.

If your laptop isn't too hard to disassemble you might just want to get a new keyboard when you can.

Capt'n Midnight

if you don't use the Fn key you could put bluetac under it so it doesn't get pressed and maybe the feedback will train your finger not to press it ?

or get a bluetooth keyboard

ressem

You've checked Ebay for a replacement laptop keyboard for the same model?

For many laptop brands, you merely need to gently prise off the panel above the keyboard, undo two or three screws, unplug one connector. Then reverse the procedure to fit the new one. About €30.

If you can provide the make and model, there may be a free service manual that describes in pictures the procedure to use, or anything odd about the machine that might complicate the procedure, before you would buy.