Vista - Unlock scroll lock

I know I had this problem once before and got it solved, but don't remember how, nor can I find an answer:

My scroll lock is lit up and I can't turn it off. It is apparently affecting my full screen function.

Please tell me how to unlock the scroll lock button. I have a laptop, so do not have number lock on my keyboard.

Note, depending on your keyboard, the scroll lock may be doubled-up with
another function key. Laptops normally have a "Fn" key which makes the
"F1-F10" keys do two or three different things due to the compact nature of
a laptop - so for you scroll lock could be for example "Fn-F7".

For example: you press Fn-F5 to swap between LCD monitor and external
monitor or projector, or to have both running; or Fn-F6 to turn up sound
volume and Fn-F4 to mute the speakers .....and so on. So maybe there's a
similar way to turn on and off the scroll lock.

Read the operation manual for your computer. Otherwise, post the details
of what model/make it is so someone can help.

There also may be an onscreen command that turns it on and off.....just
guessing here without knowing what brand/type/model your computer is.



"Zhizara" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:b8be900c7c6300c9c8642c1df29d89e3@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

I have a key which is scroll/number lock. There is a blue light also. Usually this light is off.

Maybe the Scroll/Num lock operates two functions if you just press the
button you get the Numlock on/off, but if you combine it with say the "Fn"
(or appropriate key) it will turn off the scroll lock.

Again as in my first answer - read the computer's manual - it probably
explains how to do such things.

"Zhizara" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:950cb9942a6a8523808993cc3089c91e@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

It isn't mentioned in the owner's manual. I'll just have to get used to it. I was worried about it because suddenly my full screen auto hide wasn't working. I thought that somehow this was being caused by the scroll lock. It turned out that the auto hide function was disabled in IE7Pro, probably due to the recent update. I'd still like to understand the scroll lock/num lock. There is no number pad on the keyboard, and regular numbers work normally no matter what you do. Scroll lock is used in Excel, but doesn't need a special key to use it. As far as I can see it is a totally useless key with it's equally useless blue light, and was put there just to drive people nuts. I'm still curious, if anyone has any info on it, fine. Otherwise, I'm just going to ignore it for now.

Hello Zhizara, welcome to the forums,

for your information...

the Scroll Lock Key and also keys such as PrintSc, SysRq, Pause/Break, are related to functions used in the days long before Windows, or even the PC. they actually go back to the days of "dumb" Terminals linking to central mainframe computers.

They are unlikely to have a use in modern computing (except the PrintSC (Print Screen), key which is still may be used in Vista to perform a Screen capture).

saying all this if the light showing is a problem for you, if you will post back with your system details such as make and model of your laptop, I will try to provide you with instructions to switch this off.

you may actually want to go into your Control Panel [User CP button at top of screen], on the forums and complete the "system spec" section there as this will help other members to help you with any problems you may have in future.

Thanks. I'll just ignore it. The real problem was the hide/unhide for full screen which apparently was set to disable when I updated IE7Pro which is a really great program, by the way. For anyone using IE7 this is a must have. The Ad Blocker really works and has lots of other great features.

I did take your advice and filled in as much of the computer details as I could find. I'm not really a hardware person.

Your comment about capturing a screenshot got me started on another tack. I found that it does work, and found too that I have a cute little snipping tool in Vista. Now if I could just find that thread where everyone was showing their desktops, I'd post mine, but searching for screenshot and desktop just got me every thread or posting mentioning those words (MUCHO PLENTY) LOL