I am looking for a manual for the keyboard. I've been having problems with the "repeat key" and with the multi-function keys. So I would like to know how to set and change those.

You probably have set keyboard repeat delay to "long"

Look at the keyboard set up in control panel. You may have the repeat key set up too sensitive

there is a large hole in the keypad user manual for the keypad on your laptop almost as if there is no number lock installed
the closest that I can get on the net is that the function key adds extra keys to the board
however with out a board to practice on that is not much use
next suggestion is to take the laptop to a dell service agent( maybe a shop that retails dell products ) and see if there is anyone there with information on the keyboard that can show you how to get the number lock to operate
It has to be on the board probably in the layers of the function key and with help it will be revealed
on a normal board the number lock has a small square box with 1in it
so that symbol appearing when function is used may be the key you want

What about the F Keys? You can read the manual to find out what they do.

Get onlineand got to www.google.com In the google search box type: "CompaqSupport" or "HP Support" (without the quotes and put your manufacturer name before Support). Look for downloads and drivers. Enter your model number and operatingsystem when requested. Look for Manuals.
A link to your manual is below and it explains the function keys. It looks like you have to Press and Hold the FN function key located at the lower left portion of the keyboard then hit the F1 thru F12 key.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01855387.pdf

Maybe your keyboard has been hijacked by a virus or infection. Did you spill a liquid on the keyboard. Sometimes when this happens a liquid has been spilled, the keyboard cable is loose and needs to be reseated or the keyboard is going bad. Try booting in Safe Mode and see if the function key works.

Turn off the computer, then hit the power button to turn it back on and immediately start hitting the F8 key repeatedly until you see SAFE MODE. Take the Safe Mode option and let it boot up. Safe Mode will look different to you, the screen will be darker and the icons bigger, this is normal.
If the function key works in safe mode, repeat the steps to boot into safe mode, but this time take the Safe Mode With Networking option (this will give you internet connectivity). Open your internet browser and download and install MalwareBytes.

Go to www.google.com and in the search box type: "Download cnet Malwarebytes" (without the quotes). Download and install malwarebytes from the sites download.cnet/malwarebytes. When the site opens up click on the Green Download button on the left. Do not click the Red Download button, that's junk. When it finishes installing the Gui Interface will open up with an offer to Accept a Trial Version or Decline. CLICK DECLINE you want the totally free version. Run a QUICK SCAN. As it scans, if it finds infections the number will be in red. When it finishes scanning, click SHOW RESULTS. A notepad text document will open up showing you the results. You can close the text document and go back to the Gui Interface where you will click REMOVE SELECTED RESULTS. The objects will already be selected for you. When it finishes removing the objects click ok and it will sometimes reboot your machine.

You can always try the virtual keyboard as a solution until you get the situation resolved. It works off your mouse pointer so just point and click on the key you want.

Go to www.google.com and in the search box type: "download.cnet.com" (without the quotes). Click the link to go to the site and look on the left side when the site opens up and you will see a gray area that says FIND SOFTWARE. In the white search box under Find Software type: "Virtual Keyboard" (without the quotes) and click the mirror to search. When the search results come back look for FREE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD. Download and Install it. It's totally FREE. Also uncheck anything that pops up other than the license agreement during the download and installation. You only want the Free Keyboard and not the other junk.

You can use it to solve your keyboard problem. Just open up whatever it is you want to type on such as the web address in an browser, a word document, etc., then open the Free Virtual Keyboard and it will sit on top of whatever you were doing. You can move it around so that it is not in your way also.

If you've changed keyboards and install the operating system and it is still happening then you've done about all there is you can do in case if it was hardware or virus related.

Have you tried booting up in Safe Mode and see if the keys work there? If so you still have a virus that has hijacked your keyboard.
Turn off the computer, then hit the power button to turn itback on and immediately start hitting the F8 key repeatedly until you see SAFEMODE. Take the Safe Mode option and let it boot up. Safe Mode will lookdifferent to you, the screen will be darker and the icons bigger, this isnormal.If it still does not work in Safe Mode try a Virtual Keyboard that

Go to www.google.com and in the search box type:"download.cnet.com" (without the quotes). Click the link to goto the site and look on the left side when the site opens up and you will see agray area that says FIND SOFTWARE. In the white search box under FindSoftware type: "Virtual Keyboard" (without the quotes) and click themirror to search. When the search results come back look for FREE VIRTUALKEYBOARD. Download and Install it. It's totally FREE. Alsouncheck anything that pops up other than the license agreement during thedownload and installation. You only want the Free Keyboard and not theother junk.

You can use it to solve your keyboard problem. Just open up whatever it is youwant to type on such as the web address in an browser, a word document, etc.,then open the Free Virtual Keyboard and it will sit on top of whatever you weredoing. You can move it around so that it is not in your way also. Use your mouse pointer to point and click on the key you want to type on the virtual keyboard.

Look for a blue "Fn" key on the keyboard. Now look for a picture on your keys, F1-F11, that looks like a laptop with radio waves going both directions, or a cell tower with radio wavs going both directions. If you find these two keys, you can hold down the "Fn" key and then press the other Function key. You PC should warn you that the "Radio" for your WiFi has been turned off. Repeat the process to turn it back on.

Take a look at the keyboard you will need to look for the key (FN) push and hold now look for the key ScrLK and push. Sometime the keys are in blue! Now you are good to go!!!!!
NmLk

I had the same problem. I just could not get the "Alt-F4" function to work in a macro.

In the Macro Editor, in the lower center, you will see the "Z" actions. I realized I wanted the "Press and hold Z" function.

To get this, use "Inserting Special..." function to insert the Alt key stroke in the macro.

Then highlight the Alt in the Editor. Right Click and select "Split."

This will put the "Press and hold Z key" and "Release Z key" icons in the Editor.

What you want is the "Press and hold" function. Delete any other references the the Alt key.

Then enter the F4 key, and there you have it.

Hope this all makes sense to you.

A possible cause of this could be low batteries in the keyboard. Also, try repositioning the wireless receiver so there are no obstacles between the keyboard and the receiver.