Power Save/Backlight problem

[count23]

I have a problem with multiple windows 7 systems that i need a resolution for if possible.

Apparently there is a known fault with windows 7 where if you go to a powersave mode to turn the screen off, when the timer is reached and the screen should shutdown, the backlight for the screen remains on. I'm seeing this on 6 different systems all running the same version of Ultimate (Different CD keys, installed from a USB key after making a copy from an original Ultimate disc i bought, tho one machine used a different copy and still has the same problem).

I've looked around and apparently it's a known issue on Windows 7 that the backlight wont turn off when powersave is activated, has anyone got an actual fix for this? I've seen a few utilities around that turn the screen off properly for you, but they need to be manually turned on which defeats the purpose of a timer.

 

[reaper]

Noone's seen this problem? Blimey.

I have exactly the same issue. Unfortunately I have not yet found a fix though.

The screen was shutting down properly, backlight off fully etc, until I upgraded my graphics card about a week or so back. I had been running an nVidia 8800GT and with that card I never had an issue. Screensaver ran, then after the prescribed period the screen shut off completely.

I upgraded my GFX card to an ATI 5850, and also changed my Antec PSU for a beefier Nexus 630W item, and since then I have been having this problem. Screensaver runs, but instead of the screen fully powering down after the relevant time, it just goes black and the backlight remains lit.

I can only assume that the change of GFX card has somehow brought about the change, as it was fine up until then.

What kind/make of card are you running in your machine count123?

 

[count23]

It's my laptop, running a Geforce 9500M. I have a desktop with an 8800GTS that seems to shut off properly however.

 

[reaper]

I doubt my PSU being changed made the difference, so I can't help but want to blame the ATi drivers and/or card. Hopefully it is something that will be remedied soon, or a workaround found, as I really don't like the backlight on the screen burning the whole time needlessly.

If I find out anything new, I'll report back.

 

[Guntmeister]

Might check you power settings. My laptop did this when I was using "High Performance" and quit when I switched back to "Balanced"

 

[reaper]

Hi Guntmeister.

I have the machine using the performance settings at present, but have then used the advanced settings within that to tweak some of settings to my own liking. The screen is definately set to power down, and with my previous GFX card, it was doing it perfectly.

However, out of interest, I'll change the machine to the balanced settings tonight and leave them absolutely "stock" and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion, it can't hurt to try.

 

[Guntmeister]

Hi Guntmeister.

I have the machine using the performance settings at present, but have then used the advanced settings within that to tweak some of settings to my own liking. The screen is definately set to power down, and with my previous GFX card, it was doing it perfectly.

However, out of interest, I'll change the machine to the balanced settings tonight and leave them absolutely "stock" and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion, it can't hurt to try.

Hope it works for you.

 

[reaper]

Was worth a try, but unfortunately just the same.

 

[count23]

Might check you power settings. My laptop did this when I was using "High Performance" and quit when I switched back to "Balanced"

Sorry man, was first thing i tried, performance, balanced and power saver all do the same thing. It's not a power profile issue.

 

[reaper]

Finally, it's working!

Updated to the latest ATi drivers yesterday (version 10.2). I restarted, and left the machine till the backight should have gone off, but it was still the same. However, today it has been consistently performing exactly as it should. 5 mins, screen saver kicks in, 10 mins and the display shuts off completely. Perfect.

Certainly points towards the ATi drivers being the culprit at the moment.

 

[count23]

Nope, cause.. and again, Ill say that the machines having issues on my end are GTS8800 and 9500GM NVIDIA cards, which are still having this problem.

 

[reaper]

Yes, I hadn't forgotten that, and I know what I have said doesn't help you much.

I just thought it would be worth mentioning that in my particulalr case, it looks like it could well have been the ATi drivers that were to blame. I haven't changed any other power management settings, so it seems more than coincidence. There are very few articles about giving any positive solutions to this issue, so thought it would be worth mentioning in case it helped somebody else in the same predicament.