Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard function keys unreliable I have a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard connected to my 2011 MacBook Pro.

The keyboard's normal keys (letters, etc.) always work fine; however, there is a problem with the various function keys.

Basically, they don't work until I go to System Preferences -> Microsoft Keyboard. Once I go to that prefpane, everything starts working again.

It seems to somewhat randomly stop working, requiring me to go to System Preferences again to make it work.

How can I fix this? It seems like a daemon/driver that's supposed to make the keys work is crashing, but I searched Console.app for microsoft with no luck.
I also have the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard. In my case the simple solution was to press the F Lock key at the far right of the function row (left of the Print Screen button). I didn't realize the button even existed until now.