What do the "Function Keys" Do on a Keyboard?

Function Keys are those marked F1 - F12 Keys located across the top of most keyboards.  The following is a "generic" list of the commands those keys will do:

F1	Brings up the help screen
F2	Renames any file or folder that you have highlighted
F3	To search for a file or folder
F4	Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
F5	Refresh the active window
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F7	Doesn’t have any function in Windows, but will work for various commands in different application software programs
F8	This key is normally used to access Safe Mode (a trouble shooting mode that starts the computer with as few drivers as possible) when it is pressed during the computer’s boot up process.
F9	Doesn’t have any function in Windows, but will work for various commands in different application software programs
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program
F11	This is a toggle key which allows you to go to Full Screen Mode on the Internet when using Browsers, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome & Firefox
F12	Doesn’t have any function in Windows, but will work for various commands in different application software programs

  

On some keyboards, including laptops and portable devices – the Function Keys will have “icons” on them – depending on the manufacturer, you will have to use your Fn key to activate either the Function Key or the Icon commands

Portable computers have Fn keys (because for their overall fewer numbers of keys).  In some cases the Fn key is a different style or color, so that corresponding other keys on the keyboard in that same color or style require you to use the Fn key to activate that specific command

What to do when you see an "Error Message"?

From time to time, we all receive an error message we don't understand – so you will want to capture your screen so you’ll be able to research the error message accurately, first on Google and if that doesn’t help you then you can show what was actually on your monitor to your favorite tech support person for their help…

FIRST: To capture your screen:

When the error message is on the screen – Hold the CTRL Key down and simultaneously hold the  PRINT SCREEN KEY  on your keyboard (on some laptops you will need to hold the Fn key and simultaneously hold the PRINT SCREEN KEY).  This action takes a copy of everything on your monitor at that moment in time including your Task Bar…

Next, open whatever you use for your word processing program, Word Pad, Word, Word Perfect – and when you have a blank page on the monitor – activate paste and remember there are 5 different ways to paste-use the one you are comfortable with:

1)     Use the right click on your mouse-action list appears, choose paste

2)     Use the action key on your keyboard, when you tap it, the action list will appear, choose past

3)     Use the Paste icon on your toolbar

4)     Use edit on your Menu Bar, when the menu list appears, choose Paste, or

5)     Use your keyboard: by holding the CTRL Key and  V key at the same time

SECOND: Once the photo of your monitor w/the error message is on your piece of paper, save it (you should have a "troubleshooting folder" on your pc for these things) – Once it is saved, print it off for your reference…note I always put a date on my document so I know when it happened - and once I get the "fix" to the problem I type that on the document also for future reference... 

THIRD: Type the error message into Google Search, so will find recommendations from others who have had the same problem – some will e individuals, but more than likely you will see recommendations from the software company itself telling you how to correct the problem.  It’s recommended that you a few different websites opinions before jumping to a conclusion. 

Remember, we can type any question into Google in plain English, it is the easiest way to search for anything - You can even type in a telephone number and if it’s not a private number/or cell phone you will see the name & address of the person it belongs to..

FOURTH:  If you don’t find a simple solution you are comfortable trying, then talk to your favorites tech support person – you can show them hat was happening or if you are contacting them via email, you can email them the document you created so they can see exactly what was happening at the time you received the error message…

Good luck and remember with a little effort – you are the one in control..…

What is the Fn key on my laptop?

Small portable computers (laptops, notebooks, netbooks) have fewer keys than larger desktop keyboards, but most come with a special function key, the Fn key, which when used in combination with other keys, like the Shift key, give those keys multiple purposes.

In some of the newer laptops/notebooks, the Fn key is used primarily to activate special laptop functions. These functions share other keys on the keyboard, typically the Function keys. They're marked by special icons, and these icons are color coded to match the Fn key.

THERE IS NO STANDARD LIST FOR THESE FN KEY COMBINATIONS - But many laptops do use Fn key combinations to do the following – so when you find the combination that works create your own “reference list”:

Fn +UP ARROW increases the brightness of the screen (decreasing battery life)

Fn +DOWN ARROW decreases the brightness of the screen (increasing battery life, but also increasing how much you need to squint to read the screen).

Fn +ESC suspends your computer, switching it to a mode where the hard drive and screen are disabled in order to save battery power. (Usually closing the screen accomplishes the same task, but sometimes you want to leave the screen open.)

Fn +F2 toggles your wireless on and off. (Practice it a few times so you can recognize how the icons in the system tray appear, so you’ll know to switch it back on if you ever disable it by accident.) If you’re on a plane or in a hospital, you should disable your wireless receiver. Or suppose you’re riding in a train or car and you know there’s no wireless signal, you’ll increase battery performance if you disable the wireless receiver.

Print Screen Key - Why & How to Use This

You get an error message on your screen or something happens you don't understand - don't try to write all the information down - simply use your PRINT SCREEN KEY (usually located to the right side of your keyboard-to the right of Function Keys F1-F12)
What the PRINT SCREEN KEY does is capture an image (takes a photo of) your entire monitor screen, also known as a "screen shot" or "screen capture", and copies it to the Clipboard in your computer's memory.

Once you use the PRINT SCREEN KEY - you need to PASTE the image somewhere - Word Pad, Works, Word, an email, wherever... Activate Paste (CTRL+V; or use your action key and click paste; or use the paste icon on your toolbar/ribbon or right click and then left click on paste from the action menu) where you want it and when you do, the entire image that was on your monitor will now be where you pasted it. You can now Save this and/or print the image so that you can show it or discuss it with a technician or whomever...
Note - some OS (operating systems) require you to use:

• the CTRL + PRINT SCREEN KEY, AND/OR
• most laptops require you to use the Fn Key + Print Screen

Having a true photo of your monitor screen is beneficial for discussion and future reference (especially when something happens and you tell someone and they tell you that can't possibly happen) Now you can show it to them...