Brightness level

[johnny20]

Hello,

I recently upgraded from Vista to 7. I don't quite remember how the brightness was set on Vista, but I can't figure out to find a level to please me in 7. What level do you use for your systems?

Here is my current setting.

 

[johnny20]

Does Windows 7 need any updates for the screen brightness / overall graphics to function properly?

I installed recently, I only have SP1 and few other updates, I still need to install about 200 or so updates.

Is it supposed to work fine with just the graphic card driver or do I need to install the updates?

The screen brightness / colors are bothering me. They're not as they used to be in Vista.

 

[Ranger4]

Updates should really be installed. At present updates are taking ages to download & install so you will have to be patient.

You should be able to correct your brightness level from the graphics card program. You have not mentioned what graphics card you have installed, but if it is NVIDIA you should be able to get access to it by Right Clicking on your Desktop & select INVIDIA Control Panel & this should open up the settings window for numerous adjustments that you can set.

After finishing installing all the updates you can then update your graphics card driver if that has not been included in the Windows Updates.

 

[johnny20]

It's an Intel 4500M HD card. I have the latest driver from manufacturer installed.

If I lower the brightness, I can't see due to lack of light. If I increase it, it's too bright and my eyes hurt. I don't get it. Colors were much mild in Vista.

Calibrating isn't an option since Windows won't let me save it - it says something to close some programs but all programs are already closed.

 

[mitchell65]

You probably have programs running in the background. Click on your start button and in the search box type "msconfig" without the quotes and click on the msconfig.exe that appears at the top of the context menu and in the small window that opens click the "Start up" tab and see what is opening on Windows start up

 

[Ranger4]

Most monitors have manual controls for adjusting colour & brightness, so refer to your monitor manual on how to do that.

 

[Layback Bear]

It would be very helpful if we have the system specs of the troubled computer. I believe that a Intel 4500M HD video card is a mobile video card.

From post #4

It's an Intel 4500M HD card.

 

[Ranger4]

It would be very helpful if we have the system specs of the troubled computer. I believe that a Intel 4500M HD video card is a mobile video card.

From post #4

It's an Intel 4500M HD card.

Yes Layback Bear you are quite right, we definitely need the OP's System Specs. Apparently that video card can be used in either a desktop or a laptop. Also it has been around for a while, which seems to be verified by the OP as they have updated from Vista to 7.

 

[johnny20]

It is a Toshiba A355 Centrino Core Duo 4GB RAM laptop. It worked great with Vista, but now after the 7 upgrade, I can't find any setting to please my eyes. Brightness control didn't even show up until I upgraded BIOS. After that, it did.

I installed the graphic driver. Here is a screenshot. Gamma seems to be ok.

I am wondering if the fact I have not installed any windows updates yet after SP1 may cause this. Do windows updates (not the drivers) can change graphics or they're just for security?

 

[johnny20]

What brightness level are you using on your laptops?

 

[Ranger4]

@ johnny20. Brightness level is very much a user preference & most video graphic programs have different methods of setting brightness & contrast. So use settings that suit you best rather than copying someone else.

Windows Updates do include some updates to graphics programs if they are available. In the past I have had my NVIDIA drivers updated via Windows Updates & have not noticed any changes in the colour or brightness.

Most Windows updates are for security, but some cover software & driver updates from other makers.

 

[johnny20]

Here are 2 screenshots of my desktop. Something is definitely wrong, isn't it? Look at the differences. These were taken seconds apart.

 

[mjf]

One thing to try.................
go into color management
search box -> color management
You should see a list of ICC profiles
The best default (unless you calibrate your own monitor) is sRGB IEC61966-2.1
Some default monitor profiles are rubbish which may be your issue??
To add the sRGB profile if it isn't there tick "use my settings for this device" and then hit the Add button. Look through the list and select the sRGB IEC61966-2.1. This will be then added to your ICC profile list. Click on it and hit "set as default profile". Just take note of what the default profile was before and you can go back to it if you want.

As stated before you should be able to tweak you monitor to your brightness/contrast using its manual controls.

 

[johnny20]

One thing to try.................
go into color management
search box -> color management
You should see a list of ICC profiles
The best default (unless you calibrate your own monitor) is sRGB IEC61966-2.1
Some default monitor profiles are rubbish which may be your issue??
To add the sRGB profile if it isn't there tick "use my settings for this device" and then hit the Add button. Look through the list and select the sRGB IEC61966-2.1. This will be then added to your ICC profile list. Click on it and hit "set as default profile". Just take note of what the default profile was before and you can go back to it if you want.

As stated before you should be able to tweak you monitor to your brightness/contrast using its manual controls.

Thank you, I went where you said and this is what I found. This is a laptop I have had for many years and never had a problem until now when I upgraded from Vista to 7.

 

[mjf]

What is the screenshot when you click on "devices".

 

[johnny20]

What is the screenshot when you click on "devices".

This

 

[mjf]

I looked at your specs and thought you were talking about a desktop. You have a post that say you are talking about a "Toshiba A355 Centrino Core Duo 4GB RAM laptop". Some one familiar with this laptop may be better able to help.

But you can try what I suggested above when you are in the devices tab - you need to select use my settings for the add button to be active. At the moment there are no profiles in the list. Add the srgb profile and set it as default. If you like you can always select it and remove to be back where you started.