Function Keys Do Not Work as Expected

When you try to use a function key in a virtual machine, the Windows-based function does not activate. Instead, either nothing occurs or a Mac program or function is activated instead.

This behavior occurs when the Hot Function Keys feature has been turned on and the F7 through F12 function keys have been mapped to start different Mac programs in Mac OS 9. This makes the function keys unavailable to a virtual machine in Virtual PC.

To work around this behavior, turn off the Hot Function Keys feature or clear the mapping for the function keys.

Note You cannot remove the mapping for function keys F1 through F6 when the Hot Function Keys feature is turned on.

To turn off the Hot Function Keys feature, follow these steps:

1. On the Apple menu, point to Control Panel, and then click Keyboard.
2. Click Function Keys.
3. Click to clear the Use F1 through F12 as Hot Function Keys check box.
4. Click OK.

To clear the mapping for a function key, follow these steps:

1. On the Apple menu, point to Control Panel, and then click Keyboard.
2. Click Function Keys.
3. Click the program that you want to remove, and then click Clear.
4. Click OK.