Fn (function) keys not working

[gyron1]

Gentlemen,

I have a new problem! During an install of Norton Internet Security 2010 (previous versions always fine for me) Symantec took control of my laptop and, I am sure, made some adjustments to my registry (I think) to improve my Boot time. I think they also deleted my 'prefetch' file(s). Since then my Fn function keys are not working and I have 'lost' my bluetooth icon from the taskbar (allowed me to switch bluetooth on/off - it's on all time now).

Can you help me please?

Thank you,

Gyron

[Blencogo]

Hi Gyron,

Unfortunately NIS 2010 is very new so not many will have tried it. I personally hate programs like this (and Vista) that seem to think they know what is best for your PC without letting you know what they are doing. But ignore me - I am very anti Norton.

It sounds like it is blocking all the Sony Utilities.

I can only make three suggestions: -

1. Uninstall Norton and get a good IS product. No honestly, get the Norton Uninstaller Tool and uninstall it. Then, when you are sure it has been all removed, reinstall it and say NO to all the automatic features offered during the install.

2. Try reinstalling the Utilities that control the FN keys and see if they start working again without uninstalling Norton.

3. Go to the Norton main screen and try disabling all the fancy features like 'SONAR Protection' and 'Insight Protection' and see what happens.

Good Luck - but wait to see if Rich has any suggestions - he is usually up on these things.

[gyron1]

Hello Blencogo,

Thanks for reply.
I have managed to 'reconnect' taskbar icon that sorts the bluetooth problem.

How do I reinstall the Fn key utility - where do I find it pleae

Thanks again

Regards,

Gyron

[Blencogo]

Try reinstalling the Utilities first.

You will find them in C:\Utilities, C:\Utils or on your Recovery Dosc in C:\Utilities.

Failing that you can download them from here: -

Z1_Utilities.zip

I think you need to run the Hotkey Utility but you may need the others starting with the SonyUtils, then the Sony Shared Library etc.

[Blencogo]

Thinking about it, it is likely that Norton has stopped these Utilities from running automatically at startup to try to speed up boot time.

Try clicking on Start -> Run and type MSCONFIG into the run box and press enter. Click on the Startup Tab and see if Hotkey.EXE is set to run automatically at boot. If it has been disabled - then re-enable it.

[gyron1]

Hello Blencogo,

Apologies for delay in responding to your last message in reply to my problem, Grandparent duties!

Yes, you were quite right, the utilities in question, Fn & Bluetooth controls, had indeed been switched off in the Startup menu. Having switched them on they now appear to be working fine except for one - the screen switching facility. This is the Fn control (F7 on my machine), that allows you to switch between an auxilliary moniter and the laptop LCD screen. Will have to try and sort this one out in due course.

Thank you again.

Kind regards,

Gyron

[Blencogo]

Good luck Gyron. I'm sure you will sort it in the end.

[gyron1]

Hi Blencogo,

I wish I had your confidence!!

The screen switch toggle (F7) is an interesting one - it appears to be the only one not working now.

The manual says, quote; 'this function can only be used by the first user to log in, it will not work if you have switched to another user account'

I am the only user and listed as the administrator in the computer 'user accounts', so what's that all about I wonder! The screen switching facility used to work fine.

Kind regards,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi Gyron,

Blencogo was spot on with his diagnosis of the problems you listed, i.e. startup programs disabled by Norton 2010.

You may find that the loss of functionality of the Fn + F7 key is also related to a disabled startup program as the hardware relies on both the Sony utility and the ancillary graphics software.

If you have an ATI graphics chip then make sure that both atiptaxx.exe and ati2mdxx.exe are enabled at startup.

[gyron1]

Hello Rich,

Thank you for input to my latest 'problem'.

Tried switching atiptaxx.exe and ati2mdxx.exe 'on' in the Start Up list to no avail. I then switched all the Start Up items on to try that (so I could eliminate culprit) also to no avail!!

Could the statement in the 'manual' - 'this function can only be used by the first user to log in, it will not work if you have switched to another user account' - be some sort of clue?

I do know that both Symantec and BT, when hey had 'control' of my laptop for various problems, started in Safe Mode. Could this action have switched either of them to the 'First User'?

For info I am (was?) the Administrator and no other accounts are active on laptop.

I have to go to daghters in Surrey now 'till tomorrow afternoon but would still greatly appreciate any help/input.

Kindest regards,

Gyron