Windows 7 - Sony Vaio display brightness problem

in advance, sorry if this issue has been solved on this forum, but i didn't find it.

i have sony vaio VPCS11X9E which came preinstalled with Windows 7 64bit, and everything worked fine. i was forced to reinstall Windows 7 32bit because of some old software (don't ask). as far as i can see, everything is fine except for one thing, display brightness. display is dimmed, constantly, since the login screen. i have managed to make the brightness keys to work in the sense that the brightness bar is visible and changing. however, the brightness of the screen doesn't change. i have also gone through all power and display settings, in windows and vaio control center, and have set everything on maximum, regardless of power plan etc, and tried tampering with adaptive brightness, but to no avail. right now i am a little desperate, and have no other ideas.. i'm in a bit of a hurry so i need any help or suggestion.. i hope i have provided enough information. (drivers are all updated of course).. thank you in advance.

Couple of things to try ....

Check for any Sony supplied software that may duplicate and override the windows 7 settings you have made

Create a new account (same level as your current user), to eliminate profile issues.

If possible run a Live Linux CD to eliminate the slight possibility that you have a problem with the screen hardware

i have just tried with another account (administrator, just as the previous), but unfortunately, nothing changes. screen gets dimmed as soon as the login screen appears, but the windows startup logo and progress bar etc are as bright as can be, so i am certain that it is not hardware issue.

to further clarify, screen was bright until i updated intel graphics drivers from intel website, automatically. it was one of the first things i did after installing Windows 7, even before installing sony specific software from vaio website.. i just don't know where to look for the solution.

thanks for trying barman58!

Have you tried rolling back the drivers? It would not be the first time that a "New" driver version from Windows Update is a retrograde step. Another thing to look at is if even newer drivers are available from either Sony or the graphics system manufacturer, Intel

Have you tried rolling back the drivers? It would not be the first time that a "New" driver version from Windows Update is a retrograde step. Another thing to look at is if even newer drivers are available from either Sony or the graphics system manufacturer, Intel [/QUOTE]

that is just what i was doing just now. there was a newer graphics driver on intel's site that wasn't being installed automatically, so i did it manually. however, nothing changed. screen is still dimmed and brightness controls don't change it, whether i use keyboard fn+F5/F6 or windows' power options, or sony vaio control center.

i am trying to find an older graphics driver, maybe i'll get lucky.

thanks nigel.

ok, so far, i only get ahead when i deinstall graphics driver completelly (from programs and features). but, as soon as i install any driver, problem reappears. i have tried 4 versions of drivers, oldest being from 30.12.2009, but i just can't get a break.

any help would be greatly appreciated..

what GFX chipset Intel what?

Bios newest?

does it do the same thing in safe mode(F8)?


Ken

Hi coldwater,

Have a look at these links: VAIO : Sony Europe

You could also check their Forum: http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio...hreads?forum=6 (sorry, there doesn't appear to be a search facility, at least for unregistered viewers).

The latest drivers for the Viaio range are here

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/WIN7UPGRADE/

I can't see what is causing this so have put a call out for some assistance from some of the Sony / Intel People here to take a look - hopefully someone will recognise this issue

Also some laptops have screen /power settings in the Bios (Dell Etc), you may want to check the BIOS for such settings (kudos to Pebbly for the suggestion )

More suggestions ....