Function Keys: Function Changed

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gooey


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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


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Your Mac's Specs
MacMini 14.3, 8.1 & 4.1, OS 13.5, 10.14, & 10.11 & 10.6; Macbook Pro 8.2, OS 10.12.
[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.
 
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leopard-user1


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17" MacBook Pro, 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, not unibody
Function key - function change

gooey said:
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?!
:(
Click to expand...

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

gooey


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Function Key Change

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!" :D
 

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