Re: IBM Thinkpad T23 Fn key problem - system practically freezes running Linux SuSE 9.0

From: Michael Hanney (michael)
Date: 04/30/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:32:24 +0100

Thanks Alexander, alas, Fn key was already set to non-latching in the bios.

"Alexander Clouter" <alex@digriz.junk-this.org.uk> wrote in message
news:55er6c.0q7.ln@penfold.digriz.org.uk...
> On 2004-04-21, Michael Hanney <michaelhanney@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have just re-installed Linux (SuSE 9.0) on my IBM Thinkpad T23. Kernel
is
> > 2.4.21-99-default, Thinkpad is has latest BIOS update. I've previously
run
> > various RedHat, Mandrake and SuSE distros with no problems whatsoever.
> >
> > I'm experiencing a strange problem with the keyboard Fn (function?) key
that
> > has never happened before - pressing Fn (on it's own, or in combination
with
> > any other key) makes the operating system slow down to a crawl. After
about
> > 60 seconds the CPU fan will kick in & the CPU gets noticeably hotter
(warm
> > air kicking out the left side of the laptop). The only way to recover is
to
> > reboot, or completely cycle the power. It happens in KDE and
Windowmaker, so
> > I don't think it is related to the window manager. It's totally
> > reproducible. I think it may be a hardware problem as I don't see any
> > processes (in top) taking more than 20% CPU when it happens. I use
CTRL-p
> > all the time in Vim and hit Fn by accident at least 10 times a day. It's
> > driving me nuts. My low-tech solution is to pull the key off the
keyboard.
> > I'd be eternally grateful for any better suggestions.
> >
> Probably worth playing with your BIOS and making sure that the Fn key is
set
> NOT to be a latch, and such act like a 'caps lock' key. Its an idea,
might
> not be the solution though.
>
> Regards
>
> Alex