Toshiba laptop doesn't have function key support Win 8.1

[JHough]

Satellite C55Dt-A5106, Windows 8.1 that shipped with the laptop. My apologies that this information did not show up in my original reply's title. Have you tried toggling back and forth between special function key mode and standard?

 

[wws]

Satellite C55Dt-A5106, Windows 8.1 that shipped with the laptop. My apologies that this information did not show up in my original reply's title. Have you tried toggling back and forth between special function key mode and standard?

You're alright. Yes I have tried toggling the switch, but to no avail. I assume I shouldn't flash your BIOS on my laptop right?

 

[JHough]

Bios Update

Do not flash any BIOS onto your laptop unless provided by the manufacturer. Come to think of it, within a week of getting this laptop, the BIOS update was pushed. So I'm surprised Toshiba has not pushed the correct update for your laptop.

 

[JHough]

Toshiba Support link and driver

The Toshiba support page has a link for your Model number. Once your model number is entered. Look at the downloads.

The latest drivers for your model number will show up. Note: These drivers are the latest drivers for my PC.

 

[wws]

View attachment 41345 The Toshiba support page has a link for your Model number. Once your model number is entered. Look at the downloads.
View attachment 41346
The latest drivers for your model number will show up. Note: These drivers are the latest drivers for my PC.

Since the FN key doesn't work with a keyboard tester as Wws reports here, I'm still inclined to believe it is the FN key itself that is defective.

Hi Strollin,

That makes some sense to me. However, since I have never actually used a keyboard tester to test a specialized function key that is primarily controlled by the BIOS, you may be exactly right in your assumption. Its just that I have seen so many FN key issues put to rest by either a BIOS update or an OS incompatibility statement from the manufacturer that I zoom in on that as a primary cause. I also noticed the OP mentioned the following:

This happened under Windows 8 too. Toshiba has a keyboard driver for this laptop model for Windows 7, but not 8.1.

Now, the above statement would imply the OP may have upgraded all the way from Windows 7, and since his latest BIOS version is 4 versions earlier than yours, I suspect there are distinct differences between your laptops. With that said, I am hoping you can guide him through to a final fix but it also seems odd that the OP has already contacted the manufacturer, the manufacturer told him it was a corrupted OS, and they don't even offer a driver for the Windows version he is attempting to troubleshoot.


Good luck,

my2cents

... I think the function keys might not even be wired to the mobo cause when I use a keyboard tester the FN key doesn't work.

Since the FN key doesn't work with a keyboard tester as Wws reports here, I'm still inclined to believe it is the FN key itself that is defective.

What am I, chopped liver? This still sounds like software/BIOS issue going by wws's last post.

No problem, just yanking your chain. Strollin mentioned it could be a hardware key problem but then wws

OOPs, sorry about that popeye! I guess I was just focused more on Strollin's responses because he had started to make some very specific recommendations. Unfortunately, I have a difficult time remembering everyone's contributions so I apologize again.


Best regards,

my2cents

Also, I'm glad that you agree it could still be a BIOS issue.

No problem, just pulling your chain, couldn't resist. Strollin mentions possible key hardware issue but then wws says the keys work as normal function keys but just the blue upper functions aren't working. This is normally BIOS and/or driver issue as I know you are aware.

Wws hasn't replied in a while, hope he got it fixed.

I have tried flashing the new BIOS, but it did not do anything. Any other ideas? I am this close to returning the laptop...

Thanks,

wws

 

[JHough]

Timeline consolidation request and options...

The following "guessed at" consolidated timeline would help the responders to understand the issue.
A. Bought new laptop.
At this time what was the operating system version?
and did the function keys work? If the function keys worked at this point the hardware is OK.

B. If 8.1 was not the original OS, 8.1 was upgraded to.
Function keys quit working.

C. Toshiba support contacted and states the operating system is corrupted.
Has Toshiba stated the best way to fix it?
(1. Reinstall original OS, and then upgrade to 8.1.
2. Obtain an 8.1 installation disk from Toshiba,
or download an ISO image to a disk, and install 8.1 from the start. )
Has a recovery USB Memory Stick or disks been created? If so has booting from these been tried?
Has reinstalling the operating system been tried?

The difficult options are:

1. Revert back to original operating system, and ask Toshiba when 8.1 will be supported for the laptop.
2. Revert back to original operating system, and upgrade to 8.1.
2. Install 8.1 directly with no previous operating system.
3. Return the laptop for hardware service.
4. Exchange the laptop for a laptop with 8.1 installed.

JHough

 

[wws]

The following "guessed at" consolidated timeline would help the responders to understand the issue.
A. Bought new laptop.
At this time what was the operating system version?
and did the function keys work? If the function keys worked at this point the hardware is OK.

B. If 8.1 was not the original OS, 8.1 was upgraded to.
Function keys quit working.

C. Toshiba support contacted and states the operating system is corrupted.
Has Toshiba stated the best way to fix it?
(1. Reinstall original OS, and then upgrade to 8.1.
2. Obtain an 8.1 installation disk from Toshiba,
or download an ISO image to a disk, and install 8.1 from the start. )
Has a recovery USB Memory Stick or disks been created? If so has booting from these been tried?
Has reinstalling the operating system been tried?

The difficult options are:

1. Revert back to original operating system, and ask Toshiba when 8.1 will be supported for the laptop.
2. Revert back to original operating system, and upgrade to 8.1.
2. Install 8.1 directly with no previous operating system.
3. Return the laptop for hardware service.
4. Exchange the laptop for a laptop with 8.1 installed.

JHough

The function keys never worked at any point. I bought the laptop with Windows 8 installed, then upgraded to 8.1 when it was available. I talked to Toshiba when 8 was installed.

 

[JHough]

Final thoughts...

Option 1.
Since the keys never worked, hardware is my prime suspect. So either return the laptop, or replace the keyboard.
Option 2.
Or, believe Toshiba that the OS is corrupted, and re install the 8 OS. Note: When Toshiba's support website was queried for Recovery media, the following link came up. This link is also good for returning the PC, too.

https://support.toshiba.com/support/acclaim/welcome states:
"The Toshiba Acclaim system will help you make a warranty claim for a defective Toshiba-branded accessory, or electronic product. If your Toshiba-branded product is less than 15 days old, and it failed, please return it to the place where you bought it. If you bought it from Toshiba Direct, you can contact them at 1-800-618-4444.
If you are renting or leasing your Toshiba product, or if you bought it on a rent-to-own plan, please contact the company from whom you rented, leased, or purchased it.
If your Toshiba-branded product is 15 days old, or older, and it failed, please click the Start button, below, to begin the claim process."

Good luck. I'm sorry the issue could not be solved expeditiously.

JHough

PS. Always, create your recovery media when getting a new PC. Toshiba has DVD and USB 16GB memory stick options for creating recovery media.