Keyboard Compatibility Help!

[AllDay808HI]

Hello Simviation community. I'm new to this and I need help with a problem. I recently switched from a desktop to a laptop to play FSX because I had to "throw out" my desktop. Now that I've installed the game into my new laptop (Presario CQ57) and run through the intro, it seems that the only keys that are able to work are the arrow keys that control the stabilizers & other stuff. Everything else like the landing gear controls (G), lighting (L), engine throttles (F1 F2 F3 F4), etc. I looked on the internet for a solution to this problem for about a week already. Anybody kind enough to help with this problem? Please.

[OldAirmail]

Welcome to SimViation, AllDay.

A question - How long have you been using FSX? Are you familiar with assigning keys to FSX? I don't think that this is your problem, but it would be the first place to look.

[AllDay808HI]

Welcome to SimViation, AllDay.

A question - How long have you been using FSX? Are you familiar with assigning keys to FSX? I don't think that this is your problem, but it would be the first place to look.

Thank you for that welcoming! And yes, I'm familiar with the keys of FSX. I've had FSX since it came out. I took a little break last year to focus on school and I'm getting back just this week. My familiarity with the keys are a little fuzzy, but I still remember the keys. I haven't changed any of the keys yet. It's all default key assignments. I was thinking of buying a USB keyboard, but no sense using up money when this is a problem that is able to be fixed... Hopefully...

[OldAirmail]

Welcome to SimViation, AllDay.

A question - How long have you been using FSX? Are you familiar with assigning keys to FSX? I don't think that this is your problem, but it would be the first place to look.

Thank you for that welcoming! And yes, I'm familiar with the keys of FSX. I've had FSX since it came out. I took a little break last year to focus on school and I'm getting back just this week. My familiarity with the keys are a little fuzzy, but I still remember the keys. I haven't changed any of the keys yet. It's all default key assignments. I was thinking of buying a USB keyboard, but no sense using up money when this is a problem that is able to be fixed... Hopefully...

I wouldn't bet too much money on that if I were you.

I took off in my standard FSX 172 Friday night and my plane kept going hard to the left. I couldn't keep it on the runway!

After checking I found that the aircraft ailerons were being controlled by the yoke. AND THE RUDDER WAS NO LONGER BEING CONTROLLED AT ALL!!!

Having the flight commands reassigned isn't all that common, but it has happened once or twice before, with no known cause.

I can understand a file becoming corrupted, but not this. It makes no sense.

I'm beginning to think that it might be worth assigning ALL of the keyboard commands in FSUIPC, and deleting them in FSX.

[AllDay808HI]

Welcome to SimViation, AllDay.

A question - How long have you been using FSX? Are you familiar with assigning keys to FSX? I don't think that this is your problem, but it would be the first place to look.

Thank you for that welcoming! And yes, I'm familiar with the keys of FSX. I've had FSX since it came out. I took a little break last year to focus on school and I'm getting back just this week. My familiarity with the keys are a little fuzzy, but I still remember the keys. I haven't changed any of the keys yet. It's all default key assignments. I was thinking of buying a USB keyboard, but no sense using up money when this is a problem that is able to be fixed... Hopefully...

I wouldn't bet too much money on that if I were you.

I took off in my standard FSX 172 Friday night and my plane kept going hard to the left. I couldn't keep it on the runway!

After checking I found that the aircraft ailerons were being controlled by the yoke. AND THE RUDDER WAS NO LONGER BEING CONTROLLED AT ALL!!!

Having the flight commands reassigned isn't all that common, but it has happened once or twice before, with no known cause.

I can understand a file becoming corrupted, but not this. It makes no sense.

I'm beginning to think that it might be worth assigning ALL of the keyboard commands in FSUIPC, and deleting them in FSX.

My problem isn't about key assignments actually. It's my laptop's keyboard. On my Presario CQ57, F3 and F2 are used to adjust screen brightness. When I try to accelerate or decelerate, my computer just acts like the game isn't running and decides to adjust the brightness. Basically, I'm trying to figure out how to make my keyboard compatible to the game itself. I can't change views or anything with the F9-12 default keys either. It's really annoying and I just wanna get back to playing this again...

[OldAirmail]

I just did a search for LARGE pictures of your keyboard. It looks like you have to press the fn key on the bottom left to press the F1, F2, F3, etc. Is that correct?

[1olehippy]

AllDay

You need to unlock your Fn key...Tried to find a user manual online to help you out but everyone wants me to join & then I'm inundated with BS. If yours is new, you should have one. Found a bit of an answer at Yahoo answers but don't have a machine to test it on. My keyboard has an F/lock button. Too simple a fix for Compaq to have.

Good Luck,
Dave

[ViperPilot]

AllDay,

In a lot of cases, laptop keys that have multiple functions sometimes get the MSFS gremlins all confused, and the FS Key assignments won't function. I had a Dell that exhibited the same quirks your Presario does.

The solution is to buy a USB keyboard like you assumed, and use it for FSX. You can still make all the laptop adjustments using the Presario keyboard.

[Fozzer]

AllDay,

In a lot of cases, laptop keys that have multiple functions sometimes get the MSFS gremlins all confused, and the FS Key assignments won't function. I had a Dell that exhibited the same quirks your Presario does.

The solution is to buy a USB keyboard like you assumed, and use it for FSX. You can still make all the laptop adjustments using the Presario keyboard.

That's one of the many reasons why I would not purchase a "Laptop Computer" to run all my various computer games, etc.

I could never get used to its strange keyboard, and strange mouse pad!

I always need a proper qwerty keyboard, and a proper mouse; so its always a rebuild-able desktop/tower computer and monitor for me!

(It just takes up a LOT of room!).... ...!

Paul... ...!

[Bass]

As Viper says. Connect a "normal" usb keyboard.