Trying to simulate laptop 'fn' key

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AudioBabble
Posts: 39
Joined: 16 Mar 2022, 20:38

Trying to simulate laptop 'fn' key

15 May 2024, 13:22

Hello, my laptop 'fn' key has no scan code in key history, so I took a look with AHKHID.

Apparently the 'data' for my fn key is:

Code: Select all

 ; fn Key:
;Vendor ID: 5426 Product ID: 586 Ung/Us: l/O Data: 040A0000000000000000000000000000 {down}
;Vendor ID: 5426 Product ID: 586 Ung/Us: 1/0 Data: 04000000000000000000000000000000 {up}
So... maybe this is oversimplifying the whole business, but would it be possible to send that data?

I tried this sort of thing, but it doesn't work:

Code: Select all

SendInput, {Raw}"{0x040A0000000000000000000000000000}"
Send {f1}
SendInput, {Raw}"{0x04000000000000000000000000000000}"
It just sends a normal f1 (if my fn key were in play, it would toggle my audio mute -- not that that's what I'm trying to do, just a test case)

[Mod edit: Moved topic from AHK v2 help since this post shows v1 code.]
RussF
Posts: 1440
Joined: 05 Aug 2021, 06:36

Re: Trying to simulate laptop 'fn' key

15 May 2024, 13:45

This topic has been addressed many times on these forums. The Fn key does not (as a general rule) generate any scan code that can be used by AHK. The key is intercepted and interpreted directly by the PC's BIOS. On a laptop, there is usually a toggle setting in the BIOS that will switch the function of the Fn key - one way gives you media control and special functions when it is pressed, the other gives you standard function keys. If you have a separate detached keyboard with a Fn key, there typically is nothing you can do to detect or affect it.

Russ
AudioBabble
Posts: 39
Joined: 16 Mar 2022, 20:38

Re: Trying to simulate laptop 'fn' key

15 May 2024, 14:47

Ah well... shucks!

Thanks for pointing that out.
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Chunjee
Posts: 1589
Joined: 18 Apr 2014, 19:05
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Re: Trying to simulate laptop 'fn' key

15 May 2024, 17:36

Fn takes place at the hardware level and ahk is limited to the software level. Sadly it can't be used in ahk scripts generally speaking

Russ

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