A Unique Screen Brightness Issue...

G

grodii3k

New Member
OK, let me preface this by saying that I repair computers as a hobby, I do know that I'm doing usually.

Given that, I have an issue with screen brightness...

Using FN and F10 does not increase brightness (swap FN with CTRL is disabled in my bios - FN is FN)
The screen brightness indicator when I use the FN F10 key indicates the screen is at max brightness, yet at minimum there is no change in brightness.
My ambient light sensor is disabled so I COULD use the FN key to adjust brightness
I have reinstalled my chipset drivers, flashed my bios and tried damn near everything to get my brightness up.

Currently, my brightness is at minimum, despite my power options saying its full and the onscreen indicator when FN is used telling me the same.

At bootup and in the BIOS I am able to adjust the brightness and it DOES get significantly brighter (and dimmer) when I use the FN keys.

I have scoured the internet and have found nothing relating to my issue as of yet, hopefully someone here can help me out :)

Side note: I have a Compaq 8710w with Vista Ultimate x64 on it (yes, a legit copy)

All windows updates are done, I have even done what I normally refrain from doing - installing all of the HP / Compaq base software garbage that they like to preload in hopes of remedying my issues with the screen brightness level....

Anyone have any idea what I should do next?

-Grodii
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
Bump Bump :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
did it ever work since you got it?, reduce your resolution temporarily and try and change the brightness levels, i suspect that the fn keystrokes for brightness have been disabled by your graphics card application, Nvidia control panel is where you can change your brightness levels.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q6600 @ 2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Evga NF78-CK-132-A 3-Way SLI
    Memory
    8Gb DDR2 Corsair Dominator @ 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 560 GTX SC FTW 1GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC888 7.1 Audio, Logitech G35 7.1 Surround Headset
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2409W 16:9, HDMi, DVI & VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 7200rpm 250Gb SATA, Samsung 7200rpm 750Gb SATA, WD 7200rpm 1TB SCSI SATA.
    PSU
    Xigmatek 750W Quad sli quad core 80% eff
    Case
    Antec 900 Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT NVIDIA Tritium, Dominator RAM cooler
    Mouse
    Razor Lachesis Banshee V2 Blue, 4000DPI
    Keyboard
    Logitech generic keyboard
    Internet Speed
    16Mb Sky bb
    Other Info
    Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, Wireless Xbox 360 Pad, Wireless Xbox 360 Les Paul Guitar
Welcome to Vista Forums grodii3k:party:

First of all, it would help the helpers if you would checkout the Forum FAQ, Rules and complete all the detail of your CP "My System Specs".

Just a thought, but have you tried using Fn + < , for reduction, and Fn + > to incease the brightness. The keys < and > that I refer to are 2 of the four arrows on your keyboard.....< v > ^.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Notebook 5633WLMi.[5630 Series]
    CPU
    Intel Centrino Duo Processor - Intel Core 2 CPU.
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 [3.07GB maximum real available]
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia GeForce Go 7300, 128MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio, Ver. 6.0.1.5717, 2.08MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer Aspire Notebook - 15.4"; Acer LCD Monitor X223Wsd - 22".
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800x60Hertz [max.]
    Hard Drives
    Notebook - Samsung HM320JI 320GB HD installed 07 August 2009. External HDs [4];Maxtor One Touch4 - 500GB External HD [Drive M:\].Western Digital WDXMS1200TA - 120GB External HD [Drive G:\ - Windows Defender Backup Files only]. Two x LaCie 320GB Mobi
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless V320 for Notebooks - Model M/N: M-RCD125
    Internet Speed
    Down 20000kb/sec / Up 1000kb/sec [Bigpond-Aus]
    Other Info
    Brother MFC-465CN; PC to Fax/Scan/Copy/Photo MFC. Epson Perfection V300 Photo Scanner. Siemens Speedstream 6520 Router. Wacom 'Bamboo Fun' CTE-650 PC Tablet, Stylus and Mouse. UAC - On;Activated. Browsers; [1] FireFox v3.6[2] IE8. Honorary R.S.M. to the 4th [Assault Pioneer] Troop Pune Sepoys , and 3rd Troop Jodhpur Bengali Lancers.
Using the left and right arrow keys does nothing other than make the page scroll up and down.

I reduced my resolution and I am still not able to adjust the brightness. In the nVidia control panel, the only control for brightness that I can find isn't actually for backlight brightness, but rather white balance of the colors on the display. I'm still stuck in square one... :(

The brightness levels used to work fine. They did work on prior installs of Linux, Win XP and Vista Ult. It quit working this most recent install. At the time of install, I had the ambient light sensor turned on. I have since d isabled it in the bios. That was when the brightness decided not to work any more. I have tried re-enabling it and seeing if it was just work as an ambient light sensor and autio adjust the brightness like it used to when I first installed and it no longer works either. So it's not set to off again since it really doesn't matter what position its in.

Note: When the ambient light sensor is on, I have no control over the brightness, its all automatic. When it's off (it normally was for me) is when the FN keys work.

Would taking a pic of my keyboard be helpful at all?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
grodii3k said:
Using the left and right arrow keys does nothing other than make the page scroll up and down.

I reduced my resolution and I am still not able to adjust the brightness. In the nVidia control panel, the only control for brightness that I can find isn't actually for backlight brightness, but rather white balance of the colors on the display. I'm still stuck in square one... :(

The brightness levels used to work fine. They did work on prior installs of Linux, Win XP and Vista Ult. It quit working this most recent install. At the time of install, I had the ambient light sensor turned on. I have since d isabled it in the bios. That was when the brightness decided not to work any more. I have tried re-enabling it and seeing if it was just work as an ambient light sensor and autio adjust the brightness like it used to when I first installed and it no longer works either. So it's not set to off again since it really doesn't matter what position its in.

Note: When the ambient light sensor is on, I have no control over the brightness, its all automatic. When it's off (it normally was for me) is when the FN keys work.

Would taking a pic of my keyboard be helpful at all?
Click to expand...
your best bet would be to take your laptop to a specialist, this maybe a problem with the brightness settings of the monitor not responding. Its not rare, but its not common either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q6600 @ 2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Evga NF78-CK-132-A 3-Way SLI
    Memory
    8Gb DDR2 Corsair Dominator @ 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 560 GTX SC FTW 1GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC888 7.1 Audio, Logitech G35 7.1 Surround Headset
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2409W 16:9, HDMi, DVI & VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 7200rpm 250Gb SATA, Samsung 7200rpm 750Gb SATA, WD 7200rpm 1TB SCSI SATA.
    PSU
    Xigmatek 750W Quad sli quad core 80% eff
    Case
    Antec 900 Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT NVIDIA Tritium, Dominator RAM cooler
    Mouse
    Razor Lachesis Banshee V2 Blue, 4000DPI
    Keyboard
    Logitech generic keyboard
    Internet Speed
    16Mb Sky bb
    Other Info
    Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, Wireless Xbox 360 Pad, Wireless Xbox 360 Les Paul Guitar
By specialist, I assume you mean take it to a computer repair shop, yes? Because the shop that I used to work at .. none of the team can figure out the issue either.

I had a thought the other day, that maybe it's a registry setting that went haywire when I switched the ambient light sensor off. Think this might be a possability?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
grodii3k said:
By specialist, I assume you mean take it to a computer repair shop, yes? Because the shop that I used to work at .. none of the team can figure out the issue either.

I had a thought the other day, that maybe it's a registry setting that went haywire when I switched the ambient light sensor off. Think this might be a possability?
Click to expand...
can you make a bootable linux disc (ubuntu, SUse) or similar just to test the fn keys on a different operating system maybe? if it is the registry, then this may give you the vital info you need, a fresh install may ensue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q6600 @ 2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Evga NF78-CK-132-A 3-Way SLI
    Memory
    8Gb DDR2 Corsair Dominator @ 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 560 GTX SC FTW 1GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC888 7.1 Audio, Logitech G35 7.1 Surround Headset
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2409W 16:9, HDMi, DVI & VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 7200rpm 250Gb SATA, Samsung 7200rpm 750Gb SATA, WD 7200rpm 1TB SCSI SATA.
    PSU
    Xigmatek 750W Quad sli quad core 80% eff
    Case
    Antec 900 Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT NVIDIA Tritium, Dominator RAM cooler
    Mouse
    Razor Lachesis Banshee V2 Blue, 4000DPI
    Keyboard
    Logitech generic keyboard
    Internet Speed
    16Mb Sky bb
    Other Info
    Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, Wireless Xbox 360 Pad, Wireless Xbox 360 Les Paul Guitar
I have been desperately trying to avoid a rewipe. They le suck with the number of programs and quantity of data that I have.

The answer however is yes, the function keys work correctly using a CD bootable OS like linux. If I put my XP disc in and boot from there (you know, the blue screen with grey text) I can adjust the screen brightness as well. So, I'm pretty sure we have narrowed it down to an OS issue... damn...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
grodii3k said:
I have been desperately trying to avoid a rewipe. They le suck with the number of programs and quantity of data that I have.

The answer however is yes, the function keys work correctly using a CD bootable OS like linux. If I put my XP disc in and boot from there (you know, the blue screen with grey text) I can adjust the screen brightness as well. So, I'm pretty sure we have narrowed it down to an OS issue... damn...
Click to expand...
you dont need to rewipe, just an operating system repair, surely it will fix the registry, and any other problems you may have.
theres a step by step tutorial of how to do a repair install of vista here http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Q6600 @ 2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Evga NF78-CK-132-A 3-Way SLI
    Memory
    8Gb DDR2 Corsair Dominator @ 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 560 GTX SC FTW 1GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC888 7.1 Audio, Logitech G35 7.1 Surround Headset
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S2409W 16:9, HDMi, DVI & VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 7200rpm 250Gb SATA, Samsung 7200rpm 750Gb SATA, WD 7200rpm 1TB SCSI SATA.
    PSU
    Xigmatek 750W Quad sli quad core 80% eff
    Case
    Antec 900 Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9700-NT NVIDIA Tritium, Dominator RAM cooler
    Mouse
    Razor Lachesis Banshee V2 Blue, 4000DPI
    Keyboard
    Logitech generic keyboard
    Internet Speed
    16Mb Sky bb
    Other Info
    Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, Wireless Xbox 360 Pad, Wireless Xbox 360 Les Paul Guitar
OK, I have a new symptom..... I installed a bunch of updates yesterday (I have been chunking them out by day to find out exactly whats causing the issue)

I opted for a complete reinstall and everything was working fun until I rebooted this AM to finish the updates... Below is a detailed list of the updates that I installed last night and rebooted for this AM...

Code: 
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB957200)
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:01 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
This is a reliability update. This update resolves some performance and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.
More information: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957200]Windows Error Reporting does not function correctly when it is running in a "Windows on Windows 64" (WoW64) configuration on a Windows Vista SP1-based or Windows Server 2008-based computer[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com]Microsoft Help and Support[/url]

 
---
 
RICOH Company, Ltd. - Input - RICOH SmartCard Reader
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:02 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
RICOH Company, Ltd. Input software update released in October, 2006
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20013357]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
---
 
Hewlett-Packard  - Input - HP Quick Launch Buttons 64
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:02 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
Hewlett-Packard  Input software update released in March, 2007
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20042672]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
--
 
Windows DreamScene
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:02 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
When you install this Windows Ultimate Extra, you can select a video for your desktop background in the same way that you select a stationary picture, and you can choose new positioning options for static and moving backgrounds. Windows DreamScene video support requires a graphics card that supports Windows Aero. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information: 
[url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=80872]Windows Vista Ultimate with Windows Media Center[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/]Microsoft Help and Support[/url]

 
--
 
AnalogDevices - Audio - SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:02 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
AnalogDevices Audio software update released in March, 2008
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20160267]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
--
 
Intel - Network - Intel(R) 82566MM Gigabit Network Connection
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:03 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
Intel Network software update released in February, 2008
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20160273]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
--
 
Intel driver update for Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:03 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
This driver was provided by Intel for support of Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=3504]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
--
 
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB950125)
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:03 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
Install this update to resolve issues with Xbox 360 Extenders used with Media Center for Windows Vista. For complete listing of issues included in this update, see KB950125. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.
More information: 
[url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=117769]Description of the Media Center Extenders for Windows Vista update that was released on June 24, 2008[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com]Microsoft Help and Support[/url]

 
--
 
nVidia - Display - NVIDIA Quadro FX 1600M
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:05 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
nVidia Display software update released in January, 2009
More information: 
[url=http://winqual.microsoft.com/support/?driverid=20241739]Winqual Help[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub]Select a Product Solution Center[/url]

 
--
 
Windows Sound Schemes
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:05 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
When you install this Ultimate Extra, you will be able to switch from Windows Default to Ultimate Extras Glass or Ultimate Extras Pearl in Change System Sounds of the Control Panel. This will allow the user to hear new sounds for common Windows tasks. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information: 
[url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=80872]Windows Vista Ultimate with Windows Media Center[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com/]Microsoft Help and Support[/url]

 
--
 
Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB960544)
Installation date: ‎2/‎17/‎2009 3:05 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
Install this update to resolve issues with Media Center for Windows Vista. For complete list of the issues that are included in this cumulative update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 960544.  After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista License Terms.
More information: 
[url=http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=137169]February 2009 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista[/url]
Help and Support: 
[url=http://support.microsoft.com]Microsoft Help and Support[/url]

Just to clarify, until I rebooted this AM, using the FN + F9/F10 keys to adjust screen brightness WORKED PERFECTLY.

I am going to uninstall my graphics driver now and see if I can go back to using default generic drivers and see if that works. If it does, I will post my findings again and try actual nVidia drivers off the website.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
Uninstalled Vista update driver and rebooted. Screen brightness controlls working fine again - terrible resolution to be ignored temporarily. Downloading "Official" nVidia drivers from the website now...

Edit: nVidia website doesnt have "Performance" drivers for my card listed (tried both the 1500 and the 1700 drivers - both failed for Vista x64 Performance)

Downloading and installing most recent drivers off HP website specific to my computer model (8710w)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq 8710w
    CPU
    Core 2 Duo T7800 26 GHz
    Memory
    4 Gigs Corsair Valueselect Ram
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 1600m
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    500 Gig Seagate SATA drive
    Internet Speed
    DSL 1.5 mbit
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