Please Help: Macbook Pro Keyboard Shortcuts...

R

rkettner

Registered
Hi,

I am getting frustrated by the standard configuration options for the F1-12 keys. It seems you can only have the keys dedicated to software or hardware (not split)

I want the first few keys to be set to hardware uses by default... meaning, if I press the F3 key alone - the volume mutes... and the F4 and F5s control volume up and down.

Then, I want the F9, F10, and F11 keys set to Expose (NOT F8, F9, and F10 set to the keyboard backlight).

I can't stand the fact that I need to use the FN key in combo to either do the volume, or expose.

SO, is there a way to map the keys so I get the best of both worlds... so I can have the first ones do volume (hardware), and the others do Expose (software)... WITHOUT using the FN key for either.
 
Well the capability is old to the Macintosh community, we tend not to think about it. So from your Dock open System Preferences->the International Pane. In the International pane select the 'Input Menu. In the tab put check marks (in the pull down window) in 'Character Palette', 'Keyboard Viewer' and put a check mark by the country you live in. The in the same 'International' pane at the bottom select 'Put input menu in the bar'.

Also in the 'International' press the button for Keyboard Shortcuts.

Now you have access to all the input goodies OS X can dish up.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
 
Satcomer,

I went through all those steps... but still cannot see an option to set a keystroke to do hardware things (like adjusting volume). When I go to add a new item... it asks for "Menu Title" and "Shortcut"... but I haven't a clue as to what to put for Menu Title. Any ideas?
 
O.K. Try this:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Click on the pane "Keyboard & Mouse"
3. In the pane select "Keyboard Shortcuts'"
4. Move the slider (on the right side) down until you see "Dock, Exposé, and Dashboard"
5. Highlight what you want to change
6. Once the one you want is highlighted, click on the F9 (or whatever it is) symbol (in the window, not the F9 key). This will then be in a selection box with a thin blue border around it.
7. Press the F button you want the key to be.
 
Satcomer,

I appreciate your tips, but I have to say that I don't believe this will be a solution for me. You see... on the "Keyboard" tab there is a checkbox half-way down the page that says:

"Use the F1-12 keys to control software features (when this option is selected, press the Fn key to use the F1-F12 keys to control hardware features).

This MAY be a features only on Mac laptops (like my macbook pro)...

So, EVEN when I have Expose set to F9, F10, F11... if this box is NOT checked... I have to use FN + F# key combo to activate this. YES, even though it says the individual keys on the shortcuts tab.

Now, if this box IS checked. I have to hold FN to use the F3 (Mute), F4 (Volume Down), and F5 (Volume Up) shortcuts.

So, this box is my problem I guess... either way, I use FN combo for volume or expose (things I use very often, and that I don't want a key-combo for.
 
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