Solved! Dell Vostro blue Fn keys don't work under Linux

[Ogliwoc]

I installed MXLinux on a Vostro A860. Everything works fine including Internet via Ethernet cable. But no wi-fi. Linux reports that there is a hardware switch off, and on this machine the only hardware switch for wi-fi is Fn F11. That, along with some other blue Fn keys won't work. I tried Linux Mint and the same thing happened. Windows is not an option. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Saga Lout]

Have you tried using the Function key while holding down the Fn key? If some keys that do work might be the ones with a single task.

 

[Ogliwoc]

Sorry; I'm not sure I understand exactly. If I hold down the Fn key, most of the keys that have a blue second task work, such as the volume, brightness, and external monitor control. The one with a crescent moon symbol (F1), battery symbol (F2), wi-fi (F11), and some others don't do anything with the Fn key held down. In Libre Office Writer, the 7, 8, 9, U, I O, J, K, L, an M keys are supposed to act as a 10-key pad when the Fn key is held down. Instead, they do weird stuff like go to start of line, go to end of line, and obliterate the entire contents of the screen.

 

[Saga Lout]

I'm running Mint 19.1 as I write and I think you might be able to find a workaround in Menu>Control Panel>Administration>Networking.

Beyond that I can't help because my F11 is a single task related to sound.

 

[Ogliwoc]

Thanks, Saga. Real long story short: Tonight I installed Ubuntu 20 and everything works including wi-fi. Not going to try to figure it all out; just be thankful.