F9 to view all open windows

I have seen it referenced numerous times. "just press F9 to view all open windows". I have to use the FN (function) key with F9 to view all open windows. Just curious if anyone else experiences this, or is there a preference somewhere in my Mac that may have been inadvertently applied.

When I press F9 alone I get a transparent "symbol" in the center, bottom of my display, best description I can offer is a sort of "sunrise" with what appears to be a "volume" bar under it. Sorry for the poor description, but if I knew what it was for I probably wouldn't have to ask.

Thanks in advance

Then you're either using a Powerbook or a Macbook Pro.

They have the keyboard backlighting set to the f8910 keys.

Just set up a hot corner or set expose to another key you don't use instead!

AHHH, thats it. MBP C2D. And now I understand the "symbology".

Thanks, thought I was just going crazy.

The trick has been mentioned somewhere else in the forums.

Open System Preferences.
Select the Keyboard & Mouse preference.
Select the Keyboard tab.
Click to set the "Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features.

Then when you do want to play with the keyboard backlighting, you'll now need to use the FN key.

Thanks