No adjust brightness option, no Fn key

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johnny20

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Apr 21, 2016
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Hi,

I just upgraded from Vista to 7 (not a clean install, but a update disk provided by manufacturer - Toshiba).

Display is now at its max brightness and I can't adjust it. I installed the latest driver but no help.
I uninstalled monitor in device manager, no help. Fn key doesn't work either, I downloaded Fn key driver but still nothing. Power settings - the option also missing. Nothing works.


Any ideas?
 
Solution
J


After uninstalling the new display driver, the adjust brightness option appeared and I was happy.

This morning, it was still there, but the laptop was very slow, something was wrong.

I re-installed the newest display driver. I installed new BIOS.

Now I have the adjust brightness option back.
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J

johnny20

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Apr 21, 2016
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That's what I did. Got the latest drivers from their website but no help. Windows options don't help either - no adjust option, no bar, nothing. Fn key doesn't work.

 
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

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Jun 10, 2014
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You shouldn't have to unless your board is pretty old, be careful if doing so and understand the risk in order to prevent disaster.
 
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J

johnny20

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Apr 21, 2016
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It's pretty old. I never updated BIOS since I have had it - 2008. It's a Centrino T6400 laptop. I know it's risky but I see no solution, I have tried everything.
 
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J

johnny20

Commendable
Apr 21, 2016
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Ok, here it is - I went to Toshiba's website and checked bios versions for my laptop model.

"Version 2.30 - 2009-11-28
Fixed: Fn+F6/F7 (brightness setting) does not function in Windows 7 without HDMI."

So I can not adjust brightness using Fn because I have a older BIOS version. I got it.

But why can't I adjust brightness using Windows Power Settings? I used to be able to do that in Vista, before I upgraded to 7. What is going on?

I would not want to mess with bios, install a new version, I would prefer the easy Windows fix.
 
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

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Jun 10, 2014
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i think that windows doesnt recognize that it can control the screen brightness on that bios version. update the bios, as long as ur not in the middle of a bad storm or someone is working on the electric you will be fine, and dont ever press the power button unless instructed, if it freezes or anything just let it do its thing.
 
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Ethanh100

Ethanh100

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Jun 10, 2014
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That is because the way vista and windows 7 work is very different and many people had to BIOS update at this time.
 
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J

johnny20

Commendable
Apr 21, 2016
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No luck. Take a look at what the bios installer instructions says:

"The Windows NT-based installer requires Administrator priveleges on the target system, and, for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, requires that the Toshiba Hotkey Utility be installed and working. "

Fn doesn't work, so I can't use the hotkeys.

 
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J

johnny20

Commendable
Apr 21, 2016
16
0
1,520
I was able to solve the problem!

I got the adjust brightness option back.

How did I do it?

I just uninstalled the new video driver I had just installed yesterday after the Windows Vista to Windows 7 upgrade.

Don't install the newer driver, just let the old one in place. Right now I have no video driver installed and it works. If it doesn't work, try installing the Vista 64 driver from Toshiba support site. I read that it will not work at first, but then Windows will offer some recommended software that will work.

After 10hrs I solved this, hope it lasts.

Hotkeys still don't work though. I click fn and esc it's supposed to mute but it doesn't.

 
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J

johnny20

Commendable
Apr 21, 2016
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1,520
Sound driver, on the other hand, I had not installed after update. Big mistake! When I plugged in the headphones, a loud piercing noise came out, scared the h...l out of me, could be heard 1000 ft away I think. So some drivers need install, some don't.

My advice - just stay with your current os. I liked Vista a lot but support for google ended and Ms support will end soon, so I thought I would upgrade. I wouldn't do it again. If you want to upgrade, do a clean install. Even then, don't do it unless something is not working right.
 
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J

johnny20

Commendable
Apr 21, 2016
16
0
1,520


After uninstalling the new display driver, the adjust brightness option appeared and I was happy.

This morning, it was still there, but the laptop was very slow, something was wrong.

I re-installed the newest display driver. I installed new BIOS.

Now I have the adjust brightness option back.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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