iMac - Function Keys: Function Changed

gooey · gooey #1 (**permalink**)

02-04-2009, 07:12 PM

I've had my 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo iMac for ten months now (currently on
OS X 10.5.6) with no major problems, and no minor problems I couldn't solve -- until now!
SOMEHOW, the function keys have changed function. In particular, I have used the F10-F12 keys all this time to change volume or mute sound, as for iTunes. Now the F12 brings up Dashboard, the F11 hides windows of current applications, and F10 no longer mutes.
I must have changed something, but it is eluding me. Any ideas, anyone?!
:(

hughvane · hughvane #2 (**permalink**)

02-04-2009, 08:09 PM

[I think the OS update changed things, not you.] Go to SysPrefs > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click Keyboard Navigation arrow head, scroll down to Dock, Expose and Dashboard. Click the arrow head. Follow the instruction at the top edge of the pane, and customize your keyboard.

Incidentally, are you using an Apple keyboard, and did you previously customize it to have volume etc assigned to those F keys you've mentioned? If you're using a generic PC keyboard (as I do) then F10 - F12 should still work, but not as volume controls. I bought a keyboard that had separate buttons for that.

leopard-user1 · leopard-user1 #3 (**permalink**)

02-04-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gooey

I've had my 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo iMac for ten months now (currently on
OS X 10.5.6) with no major problems, and no minor problems I couldn't solve -- until now!
SOMEHOW, the function keys have changed function. In particular, I have used the F10-F12 keys all this time to change volume or mute sound, as for iTunes. Now the F12 brings up Dashboard, the F11 hides windows of current applications, and F10 no longer mutes.
I must have changed something, but it is eluding me. Any ideas, anyone?!

That sounds like the function keys for OS 10.4. I think that, if you can't change their functions, F4-F6 is volume.

gooey · gooey #4 (**permalink**)

02-04-2009, 08:55 PM

Embarassed to find THE answer myself! In System Preferences / Keyboard & Mouse pane, there is a checkbox indicating "use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". I found it checked and have now unchecked it, and the familiar functions are back.
I'm sure I saw that checkbox several times, but failed to notice the "etc." which was barely whispering "hey, Bud, this applies to you!"

gooey #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 04, 2009 Posts: 2	02-04-2009, 07:12 PM I've had my 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo iMac for ten months now (currently on OS X 10.5.6) with no major problems, and no minor problems I couldn't solve -- until now! SOMEHOW, the function keys have changed function. In particular, I have used the F10-F12 keys all this time to change volume or mute sound, as for iTunes. Now the F12 brings up Dashboard, the F11 hides windows of current applications, and F10 no longer mutes. I must have changed something, but it is eluding me. Any ideas, anyone?! :( Last edited by gooey; 02-04-2009 at 07:19 PM.
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hughvane #2 (permalink)
Member Since: May 18, 2008 Location: Banks Peninsula, New Zealand Posts: 3,244 Mac Specs: MacMini 2.4, 4 Gb, OS 10.6.8; MacBook 2.4, 2 Gb, OS 10.5.8; G4 eMac 1.25, 2 Gb, OS 10.4.11	02-04-2009, 08:09 PM [I think the OS update changed things, not you.] Go to SysPrefs > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click Keyboard Navigation arrow head, scroll down to Dock, Expose and Dashboard. Click the arrow head. Follow the instruction at the top edge of the pane, and customize your keyboard. Incidentally, are you using an Apple keyboard, and did you previously customize it to have volume etc assigned to those F keys you've mentioned? If you're using a generic PC keyboard (as I do) then F10 - F12 should still work, but not as volume controls. I bought a keyboard that had separate buttons for that.
	QUOTE Thanks

gooey #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 04, 2009 Posts: 2	02-04-2009, 08:55 PM Embarassed to find THE answer myself! In System Preferences / Keyboard & Mouse pane, there is a checkbox indicating "use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". I found it checked and have now unchecked it, and the familiar functions are back. I'm sure I saw that checkbox several times, but failed to notice the "etc." which was barely whispering "hey, Bud, this applies to you!"
	QUOTE Thanks

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