My gateway laptop has a (fn) key in the bottom left. In order to use any of my function keys 1-12 as they're intended, I must first press and hold this button. How do I disable this, so that hitting f-5 on its own will refresh my browser, instead of turn off my screen? I\ve tried (fn)+F9, but it didn't work.

Please help... Can't find a 'padlock' key as otherwise suggested by another user on a similar question.

Try this: Restart your computer and open the BIOS menu by holding down F2 as the computer restarts.

Once at the BIOS menu, select "Main" (Main Menu) and go down to "Function Key Behavior" and select "Function Keys"... the default is "Special Keys".

Good luck.