Inspiron 1501 Brightness Adjusts in BIOS, but not in Wi  


  1. jeffmaggie
    Posts : 2
    windows 7
       New #1

    Inspiron 1501 Brightness Adjusts in BIOS, but not in Wi


    I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate in my Inspiron 1501 and found out that the brightness is very dim. I can adjust in in the BIOS, but not by using the Fn key once in Windows. I have the most recent BIOS update, or so I think. My BIOS date says December 7, 2007 Version 2.6.3 and does not have "A16" after it. I tried installing the download and it won't work. Any suggetions would be great.

    This is the info from the Drivers page on the Dell site:
    Release Date: 12/24/2007
    Version: 2.6.3, A16
    Download Type: BIOS Other Versions
    File Format: Windows/DOS
    File Size: 3 MB

    I assume it needs to be run from within Windows, but not sure if it needs to be run in XP or if 7 is ok.

    Thanks in advance, Jeff

    Driver Home Page for Dell 1501

    Drivers & Downloads
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  3. WowMike2002
    Posts : 22
    Windows 7 Premium (OEM)
       New #2

    Most brand-name software drivers needed for the function keys you have to call up and ask for in my experience - its a dedicate drivers suite that initiates most, if not all, touch-pad and function key support. It goes big time for Acer multi-touch pads as well... if you accidental uninstall or re-format, you have to get a hold of them for access to the proper drivers.
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  4. TimStitt
    Posts : 1,020
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       New #3

    Hi Jeff,

    From the drivers page that you posted, we can see that there are no Win7 drivers. Just Vista, so there is a chance that this just won't work. HOWEVER.... I'm not giving up on you just yet :)

    Have you run the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor to make sure that the card will work happily in Windows 7.
    Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

    If it passes, then lets ensure that the drivers and programs are all installed correctly.
    IN WINDOWS
    • Uninstall the current display driver software
    • Download the latest drivers (Vista ones unless you can find Win7), lalso look on the ATI website as well as the DELL website.
    • If you can't find Win7 drivers then using the Vista ones from the DELL website
    • Right click on the setup.exe (or install.exe) and set the compatibility to Windows Vista. Ok to exit.
    • Right click again on the EXE and select 'Run as Administrator' to install it.
    • Once installed, look for the display program exe and also set this to Vista compatibility.
    • Now repeat this process for your keyboard drivers
    • Finally repeat this again for your displays, including plugged in monitors (the displays are different from the display adapter, the display is the Monitor or screen on your laptop, the display adapter is the card/device that sends the signals to the display).
    • Now check if the short-cut keys work


    IN THE BIOS
    Normally you can update the bios via a Windows.exe. I didn't download the BIOS and check the DELL drivers (because it asked me to install DELL stuff on my ASUS :) ). If there isn't such a program you will need to create a DOS boot disk. Boot with this and then run the bios upgrade program.
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  6. jeffmaggie
    Posts : 2
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Issue Fixed


    Thanks everyone for your help. I googled and got the driver. It worked. The site is here:
    download from Guru3D.com

    Thanks all for your help!!!
    Jeff
      My Computer
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