5 Keyboard and pointing devices

Using the keyboard

Using the action keys

Action keys are customized actions that are assigned to specific keys at the top of the keyboard. The icons on the f1 through f12 keys represent the action key functions.

To use an action key, press and hold this key to activate the assigned function.

NOTE: The action key feature is enabled at the factory. You can disable this feature in Setup Utility. If this feature is disabled in Setup Utility, you must press fn and an action key to activate the assigned function.

Icon

Key

Description

 

 

 

 

f1

Opens Help and Support, which provides information about your Windows operating

 

 

system and computer, answers to questions and tutorials, and updates to your

 

 

computer.

 

 

Help and Support also provides automated troubleshooting and links to support

 

 

specialists.

 

 

 

 

f2

Decreases the screen brightness level incrementally when you hold down this key.

 

 

 

 

f3

Increases the screen brightness level incrementally when you hold down this key.

 

 

 

 

f4

Switches the screen image among display devices connected to the system. For

 

 

example, if a monitor is connected to the computer, pressing this key alternates the

 

 

screen image from computer display to monitor display to simultaneous display on both

 

 

the computer and the monitor.

 

 

Most external monitors receive video information from the computer using the external

 

 

VGA video standard. The switch screen image key can also alternate images among

 

 

other devices that are receiving video information from the computer.

 

 

 

 

f5

Plays the previous track of a CD or the previous section of a DVD or a BD.

 

 

 

18 Chapter 5 Keyboard and pointing devices