Using the keyboard

The icons on the f1 through f12 keys represent the action key functions.

NOTE: Depending on the program you are using, pressing fn and one of the action keys opens a specific shortcut menu within that program.

The action key feature is enabled at the factory. If you disable this feature in the Setup Utility, you will need to press fn and an action key to activate the assigned function (refer to Setup Utility (BIOS)

on page 97).

Function

Action key or hotkey

 

 

fn+esc

Press fn+esc (1) and (2) to display information about system hardware components and the system

 

BIOS (basic input-output system) version number.

 

 

 

Press f1 to open Help and Support, which provides information about your Windows operating system

 

and computer, answers to questions, tutorials, and updates to your computer. Help and Support also

 

provides checkups for computer functionality, automated and interactive troubleshooting, repair

 

solutions, system recovery procedures, and links to support.

 

 

 

Press and hold f2 to decrease the screen brightness level incrementally.

 

 

 

Press and hold f3 to increase the screen brightness level incrementally.

 

 

 

Press f4 to switch the screen image among display devices connected to the computer. For example,

 

if a monitor is connected to the computer, pressing this key alternates the screen image from the

 

computer display to the 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 f4 key can also alternate images among other devices that are receiving video

 

information from the computer.

 

 

 

Press f5 to play the previous track of a CD or the previous section of a DVD or a BD

 

 

 

Press f6 to play, pause, or resume a track of an audio CD or a section of a DVD or a BD.

 

 

32 Chapter 3 Pointing devices and keyboard