[vandy013]

I recently put Windows 7 RC on my laptop which was previously running Vista and almost everything seems to be running very well. However, one thing in particular is not working properly. In the past, when I have used the Fn key along with the F# keys, I can change the volume, display brightness, etc. Additionally, it would show a small blue box at the top left of the screen to show the volume or display status. Since upgrading to Windows 7, however, that small box shows up white with a few gray dots in it and is not remotely legible. It seems that whatever driver or software runs the Fn keys does not work properly on Windows 7. I contacted Gateway, but they simply said that they do not support Windows 7. I was thinking that perhaps it might help to try running that driver or software in XP or Vista compatibility mode and see if that helps. My problem is that I don't have any idea what files actually control and run the Fn keys and that display in the upper left corner, or where I would locate them to try to run them in compatibility mode. Anyone know what or where they would be? Or, if anyone has any thoughts on another way to get it to display properly, I would appreciate it.

My laptop is a Gateway MT6821: Core 2 Duo 1.60GHz, 2GB RAM

Thanks,
Vandy013

[Fray]

It should be the mainboard driver package from Gateway. You might be able to find updated drivers from the mainboard manufacturer but you're probable better off using Filemon to determine what drivers and files are installed and just setting them all to compatibility mode (though I have doubts about this working).

If it's not supported by the laptop manufacturer you might be out of luck until Gateway comes out with a compatible driver pack.

[vandy013]

Thanks Fray. I'm not exactly sure what you meant by "the mainboard driver package", but I was able to identify what I think is the file is that controls it: audiodg.exe Unfortunately when I go to the Compatibility tab it says "Compatibility modes cannot be set on this program because it is part of this version of Windows." So it looks like I might be out of luck.

[Fray]

Nah audiodg is part of the vista sound system.

In the driver disk or whatever you got with the laptop from gateway one of the driver files should be for the "motherboard" or "mainboard" or just labled as "system drivers" or something like that.

Try this and if it still doesn't work try this.

[vandy013]

Fray, thanks for the suggestions, but unfortunately no dice. I tried both updates and neither made a difference.

Only one disk came with the computer which installs the operating system as well as all the drivers and such all in one shot, so I don't know how I would locate a particular "motherboard" driver on that.