08-03-2023, 12:22 PM
I've been digging on how to disable a Realme Book (i5) laptop' Fn key. The Fn key are enabled by factory default and there's been no way to turn this thing off.
I am not thoroughly familiar with modding BIOS or its internals. But am eager to attempt to solve this problem.
The Fn keys have mappings to media controls, etc, except for F1 and F2.
When laptop is on BIOS setup, the F2 works to its keymap setting (I forgot, maybe reset to default setting?). Thus, I assume it's disabled when it's in BIOS.
Now, when laptop is fully booted, I can't scan any event for F1 and F2 when pressed. I've tested this using `evtest` and some other tools. Therefore, I believe it gets enabled after it exits the BIOS, or anything.
My worry is that the keyboard was designed that way and no way can be resolved thru software. However, having the F1 and F2 works on BIOS setup means it might still be possible and it has something to do with the BIOS.
So, first thing I did was to check if there's any hidden settings so I can override it with efivar. I then extracted my BIOS file and used UEFIExtract and ifrextractor to pull some readable data.
At this point I realized I completely have no idea what's happening and need to reach out for help
I'm attaching the fd file and the result of ifextractor, hoping if someone could take sometime to check if it's possible to disable the Fn key in the BIOS. Or is it possible at all?
Otherwise, I guess I have to live with these ridiculous Fn keys for awhile
bios.fd
Section_PE32_image_SetupUtility…ody.efi.txt
I am not thoroughly familiar with modding BIOS or its internals. But am eager to attempt to solve this problem.
The Fn keys have mappings to media controls, etc, except for F1 and F2.
When laptop is on BIOS setup, the F2 works to its keymap setting (I forgot, maybe reset to default setting?). Thus, I assume it's disabled when it's in BIOS.
Now, when laptop is fully booted, I can't scan any event for F1 and F2 when pressed. I've tested this using `evtest` and some other tools. Therefore, I believe it gets enabled after it exits the BIOS, or anything.
My worry is that the keyboard was designed that way and no way can be resolved thru software. However, having the F1 and F2 works on BIOS setup means it might still be possible and it has something to do with the BIOS.
So, first thing I did was to check if there's any hidden settings so I can override it with efivar. I then extracted my BIOS file and used UEFIExtract and ifrextractor to pull some readable data.
At this point I realized I completely have no idea what's happening and need to reach out for help
I'm attaching the fd file and the result of ifextractor, hoping if someone could take sometime to check if it's possible to disable the Fn key in the BIOS. Or is it possible at all?
Otherwise, I guess I have to live with these ridiculous Fn keys for awhile
bios.fd
Section_PE32_image_SetupUtility…ody.efi.txt