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.
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.
My Computer
At a glance
Windows 7 Premium (OEM)AMD Phenom x4 955 BE @ 3.2GHz8gigs (4x2gb) Mushkin DDR3EVGA GeForce 260 GTX 216 core 896mb
OS
Windows 7 Premium (OEM)
CPU
AMD Phenom x4 955 BE @ 3.2GHz
Motherboard
ASUS Crosshair III
Memory
8gigs (4x2gb) Mushkin DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce 260 GTX 216 core 896mb
Sound Card
SoundBlaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro
Monitor(s) Displays
26.5" Samsung ToC, 22" Samsung 226BW
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 & 1680x1050
Hard Drives
2x WD Caviar Black AAKS 500gigs (RAID 0)
2x WD Caviar Black AAKS 1TB
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower 750w
Case
CoolerMaster Scout CMStorm Black Edition
Cooling
2x140mm Intake/Exhaust, 1x120mm Exhaust, 2x120mm Side Intake
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
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.
My Computer
At a glance
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bitIntel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz8 GB KingstonNvidia GeForce 9600GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Hack job
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
Motherboard
GigaByte EP45-UD3
Memory
8 GB Kingston
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce 9600GT
Sound Card
Soundblaster Audigy
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC x2 22"
Hard Drives
2 x Samsung 500GB (RAID)
2 x Samsung 2TB
1 x WD Green 2TB
1 x Seagate 1TB
1 x Samsung 500GB
PSU
Thermaltake QFan 750W
Case
CM Scout Gaming
Cooling
Coolermaster V10
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 1000
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Optical 2000
Internet Speed
320
Other Info
Winfast PVR2000CP
LG DVD-RAM DVD/RW/DL Super Multi
Linksys WMP300Nx2 Wireless Adapter
