A315-24PT - how can I enable the menu key to function without holding the function key

dhdurgee
dhdurgee Member Posts: 9

Tinkerer
edited September 5 in Aspire Laptops

I have installed Linux Mint 22 on my new Aspire 3 and have changed the default BIOS setting for Function Keys to use them as opposed to the media keys when depressed without holding the Function key. This gets the keyboard working as I want to use it with one exception.

The key to the right of the "alt gr" key is labelled for use as either a "ctrl" or "menu" key and as delivered I have to hold the Function key to use it for the "menu" key. I want to have this as the"menu" key WITHOUT holding the Function key! I had hoped the same BIOS setting that fixed the other keys would fix this, but it does not.

Please note that I am NOT using Windows and thus need either a BIOS or Linux solution to this problem.

Dave

[Edited the thread to add issue detail to the title]

Best Answer

  • dhdurgee
    dhdurgee Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Answer ✓

    @AnhEZ28

    Did a bit of research and found the Linux solution for my problem. I used the command:

    setkeycodes e01d 127

    This sets the scancode for down on the "ctrl/menu" key to map the the "menu" keycode.

    Once I had this sorted out the hard part was figuring out which of the several mechanisms to run this during system startup would work for my version of Linux.

    Hopefully this will be of use to other Linux users on the Aspire 3.

    Dave

Answers

  • AnhEZ28
    AnhEZ28 ACE, Member Posts: 4,243 Pathfinder

    @dhdurgee

    In the BIOS, go to the Main tab, locate the Function key behavior, and switch it to Function Key.

    Please remember to include @AnhEZ28 when you want to reply back to my comment so that I can check your response.
    Thank you and have a nice day!
  • dhdurgee
    dhdurgee Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer

    As I noted in my original question, I DID set the BIOS Function key behavior to Function Key and that DID change the operation of the function keys F1-F10 as expected. It did NOT change the behavior of the "ctrl" "menu" key and I STILL have to hold the "fn" key to get the "menu" key.

    So I am hoping there is yet another BIOS setting that needs to be changed to get the "menu" key working properly. If not, then I need a Linux based solution,

  • dhdurgee
    dhdurgee Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer

    Surely someone knows how to fix this problem. I need that menu key to use with Virtualbox as its host key.

  • AnhEZ28
    AnhEZ28 ACE, Member Posts: 4,243 Pathfinder

    @dhdurgee

    It seems like that key has a different function in Linux. You can use an app to change that key binding.

    Please remember to include @AnhEZ28 when you want to reply back to my comment so that I can check your response.
    Thank you and have a nice day!
  • dhdurgee
    dhdurgee Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    Answer ✓

    @AnhEZ28

    Did a bit of research and found the Linux solution for my problem. I used the command:

    setkeycodes e01d 127

    This sets the scancode for down on the "ctrl/menu" key to map the the "menu" keycode.

    Once I had this sorted out the hard part was figuring out which of the several mechanisms to run this during system startup would work for my version of Linux.

    Hopefully this will be of use to other Linux users on the Aspire 3.

    Dave

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