51

For the Lenovo e431, how do you keep the function key locked?

Right now pressing F1-F12 activates the multimedia controls by default. To get to the standard F1-F12, you have to hold down Fn+the function key. This used to be adjustable in the BIOS, but for this laptop model, it no longer is available.

You can press Fn+esc, and it locks it for that session, but when the computer reboots, this is reset back to the default.

Is there a way so that the default is not the multimedia function keys, but just the standard, legacy function keys?

Stevoisiak
  • 16,075
Bob
  • 511

6 Answers6

58

'Fn + Esc' Should lock it, but you'll need bios version 1.25+ to keep this config after reboot, since it had an issue fixed on 1.25:

<1.25>
- (New) Modified Power off USB timing.
- (New) Added New Panel Support.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to post hang up issue with special input KB/Mouse on docking
- (Fix) Fixed an issue related to unsupported resolution appeared during VGA/HDMI first plug in.
- (Fix) Fixed an issue that Fn lock can't be kept after reboot.

You can download it (and anything related to ThinkPad Edge E431) here: ThinkPad Edge E431 Download Page en-us

Btw you can also switch Fn and Left Ctrl on BIOS :)

I hate e431 keyboard layout
  • 589
11

I have a Lenovo Ideapad, model 80XM.

I was able to change this setting by going into the Lenovo settings app called "Lenovo Vantage" that came installed with my model.

Go into the app, click "Hardware Settings" > "More" > "Function Keys" > then select "F1-F12" instead of "Hot Keys".

Edit:

My app has been updated and changed, now you go to:

  • Lenovo Vantage App
  • Hardware Settings
  • Input
  • Click on F1-F12 to use those settings instead
Kyle B
  • 191
10

I was searching like a man possessed to find how to return to F1-12 legacy mode (Lenovo Ideapad 110) because the FN hot keys were driving me nuts, especially while gaming.
I FINALLY found one post where the suggestion worked, after having tried 1000 different things from different posts:

  • While holding shift restart your PC and continue holding shift until a menu pops up.
  • Select Troubleshoot
  • Advanced Options
  • UEFI Firmware Settings
  • Restart.
    You will now boot into BIOS.
  • Then go to Configuration
  • Hotkey Mode and disable.
  • Save your settings,
  • boot to your OS and you're good to go!
yass
  • 2,574
Anonymous
  • 101
0

Press and hold and the Fn key for about 20 to 30 seconds. There would be a menu that pops up that asks whether you want to switch back to legacy mode. Just select the legacy option and you would be back to the old keyboard F1-F12 function that you always wanted.

fixer1234
  • 28,064
sanket patel
  • 1
0

My IT guy found it: you have to press Fn+Esc simultaneously, this will turn Function lock on or off and thus enable the function keys with or without the Fn-key.

Jawa
  • 3,679
user270455
  • 29
0

While I don't have this specific model (I have the W540), I have an option to make it permanent in the BIOS

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Edge-S-series/Keeping-quot-Fn-quot-key-on/td-p/449937

Nick Devereaux
  • 398