FN Key Locked on keyboard - Windows XP

jackaroo

Honorable
Feb 6, 2014
1
0
10,510
I have a Windows XP Laptop and I am having trouble with the FN Key and the FN Numpad. The machine is an Acer 5620Z and it has a standard keyboard without a Numpad. However on the right hand side some of the letters and numbers have a Numpad over them that can be accessed normally through the FN Key. In this case though that whole section is acting like a standard Numpad without me holding down FN. Numlock is off and when it is on it provides a different effect on the keys. Only whilst holding down FN can I access the letters on that side.

Here is an image of the keyboard :
http://www.laptopsparesshop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/laptopspare/images/acer-extensa-5220-5230e-uk-keyboard-new-genuine-part-1229-p.jpg

When the Numlock is off it acts like how a Numpad on a standard keyboard does when the Numpad is off (i.e Number 7 acts like the home key, Numbers 8,4,2 and 6 act like arrow keys etc). When the Numlock is on the Numbers and symbols are typed out. If I hold FN down and press the keys then the letters are typed regardless of if Numlock is on or not.

Searching around the most common solution is to press FN+Numlock but as mentioned I have already tried this. Others mention to Hold Shift or Control or some other key whilst doing it but this hasn't worked either.

The problem is not with the Keyboard either and is definitely software related. I have tried putting another hard drive in and doing a clean install and this works fine however I do not want to reinstall the system. I have tried installing Acer Launch Manager and their various other apps but with no success.

I should also mention that this machine is in fact a clone from a HP Tablet Machine so it has Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 on there. I have disabled/removed everything to do with HP and to do with the tablet features but still have the issue. I have also cloned the HP Tablet Machine onto an Asus and another machine (I can't remember the model right now) and they work fine. The keyboard driver is also just the standard 101/102-key driver and I have also gone into the on screen keyboard and checked FN+Numlock there but no success.

I would just like to know if anyone has any suggestions. I feel like it will be something really simple but it's just a matter of finding out what.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

EDIT : I forgot to mention that I have also checked the BIOS as well. There isn't an option on there for the FN Key on this particular model. I updated the BIOS too just to see if that would help but still no luck.
 

clayofthe757

Honorable
Feb 1, 2014
290
1
10,960
A fresh windows install never hurts. (I do it every once in a while just for a fresh start.) Gather all of the important data from the drive you intend to use and re-install. It's a lovely feeling (at least for me) to know that there is nothing that I don't want on the computer after a complete reboot.

Good luck