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-- Ben Armstrong, Virtualization Program Manager

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Why is F12 not working with my virtual machine?!?!

Here is a problem that I hear about at least 2 or 3 times a month:

Someone is trying to do a network installation of an operating system using either Hyper-V or Virtual PC, they setup the virtual machine appropriately, but when they try to press “F12” to initiate network installation – nothing happens.

Every time I get asked about this – the answer is simple:

If your keyboard has a “Function Lock”, “F Lock” or “Fn” key – make sure it is pressed prior to trying to use the F12 key.

Cheers,
Ben

Published Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:09 PM by Virtual PC Guy

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Comments

# re: Why is F12 not working with my virtual machine?!?!

I have not seen a desktop keyboard with function lock! So what are the alternatives?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 10:52 PM by ppindia

# re: Why is F12 not working with my virtual machine?!?!

I remember only Logitech keyboards having such a key.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:20 AM by Robert Riebisch

# re: Why is F12 not working with my virtual machine?!?!

All three of my Microsoft desktop keyboards have a "F lock" key - while my Dell Laptop has a "Fn" key.

Cheers,

Ben

Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:31 AM by Virtual PC Guy

# re: Why is F12 not working with my virtual machine?!?!

INterestingly, if you are using Delphi in and VM and press F12 without the FLock, Delphi goes wild in ways that do not happen outside of a VM.

Is this bizarre F12 behaviour perhaps related?

Thursday, October 15, 2009 1:48 AM by Xepol

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