Display brightness random dims HP

[svennd]

Hello,

I have a Elitebook HP 8530p, and it has a issue with the screen brightness. When put 100% (energy properties are at : high profile) the screen dims, but the % remains 100, however when manually setting to a lower then to max again the screen is bright (as it should be)

This happens while i'm activly using the computer. (mouse/keyboard interaction)
I disabled every possible auto-dim feature I found. This happens at random moments but every 1-5 min it happens.

This renders the laptop useless, so any help is very welcome.

any help appreciated !

thx
svenn

 

[Debbie B]

Hi Svenn,

You can try following the steps from the URL mentioned which could fix the issue: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00832191&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

Let us know the results

 

[svennd]

Hey, I partly tried this (i did not check for bios updates) However running the computer in safe-modus fixes the issue, which makes me believe this is software related ... The issue still remains

I will try bios update later today.

Anyway, thx for the help, Debbie B

Svenn

 

[Debbie B]

Hi Svenn,

Glad to hear from you. Let me know if BIOS update fixes this issue or not. Plug your computer to a good, working UPS before you update the
BIOS. If you experience a loss of AC power or a significant voltage sag/spike during the BIOS flash, you will either have to buy a new BIOS chip
or buy a new motherboard.

 

[svennd]

The fact that BIOS hasn't been updated since '11 I doubt this is the issue, I'm not so happy to go do risky stuff for bad software. Is there an option to check other options w/o latest BIOS ? (I will check, if i haven't already have latest)

 

[svennd]

The problem remained, however it only occurs when booting on battery power. (even when adding wallpower). powering up from wallpower does not make this issue.

I'll mark it as solved, as there probably won't be any help/solutions added.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would try a known good battery before changing anything else.

 

[svennd]

Not to revive this old topic, I got a PM of someone who helped in this topic, who wanted an answer. Its only fair I do so;

Sadly this issue did not get resolved; As I said before, the issue probably is related to the battery and software related, when booting on battery. I can't easily reproduce and I try to boot on cable mostly always, cause my battery only holds 10-15 min anymore. I generally update windows (7). And ignored the support to upgrade my bios, I don't feel secure enough to do and generically I prefer a crazy background lid above a dead laptop. Note this issue is even there when plugged in after battery-boot.

As a programmer and a crazy scientific this is bugging me to the extreme, but I can't risk shooting myself in the foot, since I don't have a backup laptop.

 

[johnyarrow]

hp elitbook 8530w dim issue

I have been trying to resolve this issue for months now. Laptop would dim and bright while just sitting there or come on dim and stay that way. Function keys to disable light sensor had no affect, shutting off in bios had no effect. Being on battery or power had no effect. Drivers made no effect. Operating system had no effect. However on another post I found somebody with exactly the same problem so this is what may fix it if all of the above apply to you .

If when you start up the computer the post screen is dim, it is not a software issue as none of the drivers are yet on during post as x has not started. So if you take your finger and put it over the light sensor and apply some pressure it will go to normal brightness. Keep in mind not just covering the sensor but applying a small amount of pressure on or near it seems to do the trick. It would seem to be a connection issue and pushing on the case moves it enough to make it work (probably opening and closing the lid applies some pressure to this area triggering the problem. Probably needs a new sensor or connections checked but this worked for me and may work for anyone else with this laptop.

 

[Taurus1]

Hi Johnarrow,
Putting some pressure above the ambient light sensor does the trick indeed. But holding my finger all the time at that spot is not quite convenient . I have a 8530w laptop and also here the issue is irrespective of the operating system (tried Windows 7 and Linux mint), also disabling the sensor in the bios does not work.

Did you manage solve the issue permanently?