Using USB Control and a regular USB keyboard works fine, fully-functional. I purchased a Slim USB keyboard from Brando, which is detected by the N800, but it behaves as if the Fn key is held by default, so the 7890/UIOP/etc keys behave like a numpad rather than letters. Is there a way I can reverse or disable the Fn key in software so that the keyboard functions normally?

http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00039

Just in case you've overlooked the obvious, have you tried pressing the "Numlock" key? A lot of keyboards start up with that on, you should see an LED turn on and off when you press it. When the LED is off, you should be able to type letters.

I've tried that, all all three lights stay lit regardless of what I press. If I hold the function key the letters type normally, which leads me to believe that the key is being set to active by default.

Hey there: Don't know exactly where this question will go, but I'll give it a try. I just upgraded my N800 to OS2008, and have been trying to install the "usb control" gizmo from maemo.org to allow me to run a flexible keyboard. Unfortunately, I am no wizard, and I keep getting the popup: "Unable to install usbcontrol. Incompatible application package." What the heck am I doing wrong????? Greg

hmmm... over in this thread somebody mentioned that installing python2.5 runtime fixed their problem, but a number of others said theirs installed without any problem.

Dekaritae - What happens if you plug your keyboard into a regular PC? Does the same thing happen? If so, it sounds like a problem with the keyboard, possibly contacting the manufacturer or finding something on their website might help?

When I first plugged it into my Windows machine, it behaved like this for a few seconds, but when the "detecting hardware" icon became active the three lights went out and it behaved correctly thereafter.

It sounds like a driver issue then. If you had another Linux PC running debian perhaps ;-) you could try plugging it in to that and see if it works. Then you would have to determine which driver/kernel module needed to be loaded and see if you could track it down. Perhaps someone else has another solution, or you could try a different USB keyboard. It might be easier to see what other USB keyboards are working for people here and look for one of those. Sorry I can't help...

My Ubuntu box works great with this keyboard...

Oh! I just found out that if you tap "Caps Lock" twice when you plug the keyboard in, it works fine.

Solved the problem. Sold my N800, picked up a Samsung Q1 with an extended battery. Works just fine with the keyboard.