martin131086 Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 how do i check which bios version i alrady have and where do i check for updates for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Why do you want to know this information?Playing with BIOS settings, especially updating, is fraught with danger and if you need to ask about it here indicates that it may well be better if you didn't.I have seen many computers ruined by people thinking they are "improving" things by updating this, that and the other (especially the BIOS).If your computer is working OK, leave things alone. If it isn't working OK, I feel it would be best for you to take it to be looked at professionally - or, you could explain the specific malfunctions on here to see if it is feasible to do it yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Why do you want to know this information?Playing with BIOS settings, especially updating, is fraught with danger and if you need to ask about it here indicates that it may well be better if you didn't.I have seen many computers ruined by people thinking they are "improving" things by updating this, that and the other (especially the BIOS).If your computer is working OK, leave things alone. If it isn't working OK, I feel it would be best for you to take it to be looked at professionally - or, you could explain the specific malfunctions on here to see if it is feasible to do it yourself.actually cause i want my F-buttons to use the functions as default and not the f1 and f2 ad i heard that you could do that throuch bios, but my bios dont have that option yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 I agree with -pops-, BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System and if you screw up the update you lose all communication and your PC becomes essentially an expensive doorstop unless you can get hold of a new BIOS chip.BIOS updates are really last resort because they're so high risk so I'd make absolutely sure with the manufacturers that the BIOS update would achieve what you want and even then think long and hard as to how much you want this change to the F keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 i had a mac before and to change the functionallaty of the f-keys I simply had to change a setting... is windows still so little thought through that you cant do this? or work around it another way... i assume 99% of windowsusers do not use f keys as they are by default Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Try MapKeyboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Try MapKeyboardnot working.. can only bind default keys to buttons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digerati Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 I agree with all of the above, but to answer your question, there are many tools you can use to check the BIOS version. Belarc Advisor is a favorite. And you can see if you have the latest version by checking your PC maker's (or motherboard maker's, if custom built) website. BUT, I never upgrade the BIOS unless (1) a brand new build with a brand new motherboard, (2) the update addresses a problem I am having, (3) the update addresses a security issue (very rare) or (4) my BIOS is corrupt (also very rare). I NEVER update the BIOS just because a new one is out there simply because the update process is very risky and while also rare, can turn a motherboard into scrap. Ever had a power outage during a BIOS flash? I have. Not pretty. That was over 15 years ago and my computers have been on an UPS ever since - but that's for another discussion. That said, I doubt you will find anything in the BIOS for changing the Function key functions. Did you check your keyboard app in Control Panel? If you cannot do it via the keyboard's own utility, then a 3rd party program may work. Sadly, you told us NOTHING about your computer, keyboard or operating system. We don't even know if this is a notebook or PC. :( Many keyboards come with mapping utilities where you can program your keyboard to start the coffee pot if you want - if your coffee pot is networked. So if you have a separate keyboard, check your keyboard maker's site. If a notebook and no remapping utilities work, consider an external keyboard that does allow remapping.Not suggesting this, but it may work. But backup your Registry first. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/map-any-key-to-any-key-on-windows-xp-vista/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 actually cause i want my F-buttons to use the functions as default and not the f1 and f2 ad i heard that you could do that throuch bios, but my bios dont have that option yetI am not quite sure I understand what is being said about the F buttons here. If you have issues with these buttons, I feel it likely to be a driver issue rather than a BIOS one. (I could be wrong: I have the propensity for it).I also agree with the comments to leave the BIOS alone. If you have a disposable machine at hand to practice on, maybe you can find some help with BIOS modifications here. First, check out the thread on BIOS recovery. If the information is over your head, leave well enough alone.Be Warned: Learn as much as you possibly can before playing around with a machine’s BIOS. One would not want a butcher to perform brain/neuro surgery on kinfolk who has an eye-twitch. Lobotomies rarely end with satisfactory results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 its a laptop with win 7 - e.g. i want my f6 key to turn up volume as default and not use it as f6.i cant find the keymapping or keyboard utility in the controlpanel btw... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 its a laptop with win 7 - e.g. i want my f6 key to turn up volume as default and not use it as f6.i cant find the keymapping or keyboard utility in the controlpanel btw...On my Win 7 laptop, I must hold FN (bottom left on keyboard) and press Up button to increase volume. The same with an older XP lappy. Brightness is controlled by holding FN and pressing Left or Right buttons. Something like that, anyway.If this does not work for you, provide the make and model for your lappy and we’ll see what can be found. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 up and down is for page up and down and right and left is for home/endits a clevo P150HM /deviltech 9800 dtx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Look at the screen capture below, martin131086.Your manual indicates that you must use the FN + F5 or F6 to control volume.I found the manual here.For your convenience, I have uploaded the PDF and it will be accessible for a limited time. Let me know when you have downloaded the .ZIP so that I can remove it.User_Manual. Extract the file and read. Easy peasy…. Regards,JodyPS. Let me know if this works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 so does that mean that i cant make the default the functions and not the f-numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 so does that mean that i cant make the default the functions and not the f-numbers?Do I understand that you do not want to use the FN button when pressing the F5 or F6 buttons to control volume?I am sure that this is “possible”, but a $1,200 laptop would not be the ideal platform on which to experiment, (my opinion). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin131086 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 exactly... but what can i do.. i guess there must be some software that can press the fn key for me when i push the f-keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Be careful not to fall into the trap of considering the computer as an end in itself rather than a tool to do something useful - even if that is only playing games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Be careful not to fall into the trap of considering the computer as an end in itself rather than a tool to do something useful - even if that is only playing games.These same wise words were offered to me a while back: Extremely insightful and appropriate.@ martin131086: I have done what I can. If you want to bog down your nice lappy with miscellaneous programs, I will not stop you. Nor will I abet when there is no real issue to be corrected. Glad to be of service. One Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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