Getting function keys working on Samsung RV510 notebook

Question

I installed 10.10 on my Samsung RV510 notebook, but the function keys don't work. When I use them it seems as if they get locked on, and it becomes impossible to click things in the upper toolbar. Does anyone know of any drivers, or a way to get these to work? I do not want to go back to Windows.

Answer 1

there are two main problems, i had too and i fixed this way:

1) you have to force release of the keys (search internet) Pratically you have to add your exaxct pc model name to the file /lib/udev/rules.d/95-keyboard-force-release.rules

to take exact name of the pc run:

sudo dmidecode -s system-product-name

Then add the model like this on the file:

ENV{DMI_VENDOR}=="[sS][aA][mM][sS][uU][nN][gG]*", ATTR{[dmi/id]product_name}=="*N128*|*N130*|*N140*|*N210*|*N220*|*SR70S/SR71S*|*YOURMODEL*", 
RUN+="keyboard-force-release.sh $devpath samsung-other"

2) Install voria's samsung-backlight module:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1673864

Hope is useful.

Andrea.

Answer 2

Edit: I just made the Fn keys work!

You don't need the script (..what a good finding) so you did success to:

• Made the keys works? (OK)
• Installed backlight module? (OK)

Now just modify the grub file:

in a terminal write:

sudo nano /etc/default/grub 

(Insert your password)

Then modify the 8th line like this:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor"

Then save the file (CTRL + O) and exit (CTRL + X)

then write:

sudo update-grub

Now reebot your pc (..Finger crossed) your Fn + UP and Fn + Down will work!

Answer 3

well, if the keys now work you did the half work good. Damn samsung RV510! :)

I didn't made the modification to grub but i just remembered that i made a script to modify the file (of backlight module) that contain the value of the brightness..

When you press the Fn + Up or Fn + Down the value of backlight is changed in this file:

/sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness (that contains a number 0 - 7)

Instead you need to modify this file with a script to change value of backlight:

/sys/class/backlight/samsung/brightness <-- this works

So, now your problem is only to do a script that modify the file and then associate to a shortcut like CTRL + Up and CTRL + Down (I didn't success to use the Fn key)

If can help, i made the script "like" this with the proper modifications mensioned before:

http://jaub.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/script-regolazione-luminosita-lcd-per-ubuntu-lucid/

PS: do NOT come back to windows! :)