What are the 8 keys above the function keys, my keyboard doesn't state what the keys are and I have no idea

tell why you do this?
tell the story,
i guess by the word ASSIGN, you mean to change how they work?
from normal, stock methods and how ACER designed your PC?

no PC stated or OS
this is MM keyboard from ACER, USB keyboard
yes, they do make macro keyboards, that allow one to have custom keykeys, or even generate strings of key presses.
why not RTM on this keyboard.

did just buy the keyboard used, and not with the PC it came with?
that it?
best i can tell Acer does not sell this keyboard, all by self.
so no books for it.
if you want to use it beyond what it can do or to use advanced features off this limited keyboard. find the PC it came with.

no PC stated
no OS stated
and only vague Function key questions, to do what. what is the end goal, and unstated.

Function keys 101.
there are BIOS hot keys that work just powered on to operate
custom BIOS features,
then there is F8 for the non windows 10 PCs, that can go to safemode. before, the OS runs.
Then the OS runs after login,
then the OS uses hot keys, there.
for sure on laptops, laptops have lots of special Function keys..
even for wifi, and volume sound, and more.
this takes working drivers in the laptop to do that. custom to that PC and that PC only.
and more, lots more.... but no goals stated or even hinted.

There is no manual specifically for this keyboard: The following is a keyboard diagram which may answer most of your questions: The small mode button above and between the F4 and F5 keys switches between Function and F-Key modes for the traditional Function keys. Experiment a bit when you are not working on something important.
https://secure.logitech.com/assets/42401/us-keyboard-layout.pdf
Also, check
http://support.logitech.com/en_us/product/keyboard-k120/faq

Try holding the Fn key, usually blue, while pressing the "num lock" key, which is usually above the 7. This should release the number pad function of the keyboard.

Let me know if this doesn't fix the issue!
John Vickers

one quick simple test to see if the key works is hold the Fn key and press the power button on a clod boot from power off state. If the PSA diagnostics start the Fn button is functional, and we'll need to troubleshoot other issues.
If the PSA diagnostics do not start, then reseat the keyboard (It has a slot connector into the palmrest) and see if that resolves. If still no change, replace 1st the keyboard, and if that doesn't resolve the palmrest.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/late6400/en/sm/html/keyboard.htm#wp1179980

Try activating the context menu with the keyboard using the Menu Key.
In computing, the Menu key or Application key is a key found on Microsoft Windows-oriented computer keyboards. It is typically found on the right side of the keyboard between the right Control key and Windows key (or between the right control key and right Alt key).
The key's primary function is to launch a context menu with the keyboard rather than with the usual right-mouse button. The key's symbol is a small icon depicting a cursor hovering above a menu. This key was created at the same time as the Windows key. The Menu key can be used when the right-mouse button is not present on a mouse.

Hope this Helps

RJ

Sounds to me as if you have your Fn key locked on toggle it. look for the key marked with Fn & press it again.

You MUST get, and install, the proprietary "Keyboard Drivers" for you particular laptop, from the manufacturers web site. To "Enable" these keys.

YOU HAVE TO GO INTO KEYBOARD AND FIND THE SETTINGS FOR KEYS IN CONTROL PANNEL . SET IT AS ENGLISH.

Did anything get spilled onto the keyboard? Sounds like a bad keyboard to me. Get it replaced.

Many of the wireless keyboards and Natural Keyboards from Microsoft have the F-Lock key.

Here is a description of what the F-Lock does from a 3rd party website (http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html)

F Lock Key

The F Lock key on the Microsoft Keyboards is a relatively new concept facility for Microsoft Keyboards. Introduced with the Office Keyboard and used in later keyboards, it essentially allows keys to do more than one operation. The F Lock key, depending on its state, will allow either a function key's "normal" operation or a new "enhanced" operation. The initial state of the F Lock key is "off", and in this state, the function keys use their "enhanced" operation.

The F Lock key is a hardware switch in the keyboard. Its state cannot be controlled programatically. Its default condition is "off". As a result, whenever the keyboard is reset, or loses power, the F Lock key will always be in an "off" state.

For some, this is not a desirable default; some people want "normal" function key operation.