Even if you’ve used the Mac for decades, I suspect you have never fully understood the Fn key. Not helping is the fact that Apple sometimes calls it the Function key, but all Mac keyboards already ...

In the keyboard section of the system preferences there is an option that might help you. I don't have my macbook pro present right now so I don't know exactly what its called.

I just bought a new aluminum Apple keyboard, but most of the function keys don't work. Only F9-12 (expose and dashboard) work. What gives? I'd like the keys to do what it says on them, but failing ...