F* keys need holding Fn key on Compaq CQ62

[chandru.in]

I got a Compaq CQ62 laptop recently. I find that I have to hold down the Fn keys to use the standard F* keys while accessing the special functionalities like media keys does not.

This is frustrating as the standard keys are used more often the special functions. Is there anyway to fix it so that it behaves like other sane laptops out there?

I use Ubuntu Lucid, but this behavior is present on laptops running windows 7 too.