How to switch/disable functionality of fn keys on Ubuntu - USB keyboard

Question

Hi I have a problem with my new USB Lenovo keyboard, I can't (don't know how) switch Fn keys in Linux, on windows it was very easy.

But I don't know what I can do on Linux to switch Fn keys (or disable), do you know any solution? I need standard functions of F1 through F12...

Solution 1

I found a software solution.

clone the following program from github:

git clone https://github.com/lentinj/tp-compact-keyboard.git

compile to following program:

cd tp-compact-keyboard/tp-compact-usb-keyboard
make
sudo ./tp-compact-usb-keyboard /dev/hidraw1

Maybe some errors are shown when you execute the program.

This program sent 2 keystrokes to the keyboard (0x05 and 0x01).

i think, you can't press them physically:

http://www.kbdedit.com/manual/low_level_vk_list.html

They are mapped to special keys.

this is only a temporary solution - after a reboot this settings are gone.

maybe you create a cronjob to fix it permanently:

http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-execute-cron-job-after-system-reboot/

Solution 2

this is the best solution what i found ;-)

Comments

[Adversus]

You will be happy to know that there is someone else with the exact same solution out there :D Thanks for the pic, I was starting to think of which small heavy object I could use to keep this key pressed. All that for a keyboard of very average quality...

[Maytham]

FN+ESC will only work directly on the laptop not this keyboard, the keyboard miss also on/off switch I think the developer of this keyboard was fool.

[MaCXyLo]

PS: Model-No: SK-8821 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 17ef:6018 Lenovo

[supervacuo]

same keyboard, also works for me! +1 :)

[raviteja]

"Smart" engineers from lenovo broke that solution. Now the Fn key is between control and windows keys on the left of space bar. A paper blocker or heavy object are definitely a no go at that place. Actually putting the Fn key there is really awkward because it's very easy to mistake it with Windows key. I'm considering buying another (non lenovo) keyboard :-(

[erjoalgo]

solaar installed via pip worked for me with the "K400 Plus" model. example: solaar config 1 fn-swap off

[fikipollo]

solaar doesn't work for Lenovo SK-8821, it looks like this tools is intended to be used with Logitech devices

[fikipollo]

Worked for Lenovo SK-8821 in Xubuntu 16.04

[goo]

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