Keyboard Backlighting problem on E6400- very dim!

I've been using my E6400 for a few weeks and I really like the backlit keyboard. Using the Dell Control Point interface, I have the backlighting adjusted to about 2/3 brightness (using the slider in Control Point). I also have it set to remain lit for one minute with no activity.

Last night, the keyboard suddenly became much dimmer than usual. I double-checked in Control Point that the it hadn't somehow been dimmed and it hadn't. I even maxed out the slider to the Brightest setting and it had no effect. I also tried using the 'Fn' and 'Right Arrow' keys to adjust it, no change.

After sitting overnight and rebooting, I was hoping it would correct itself, but it hasn't. The keys are still dimly lit (less than half as bright as they were).

Any ideas what could be the problem and/or how to correct it? I'll contact Dell Tech Support in a few hours when they open Support Chat. But I thought I'd see if anyone else has had a similar issue in the meantime...

 

Do you have any anti virus or similar program preventing system settings from being changed?

 

I hadn't thought of that, so I just disabled my anti-virus software....no change.

 

See what keyboard settings are in the BIOS... maybe you can jiggle those to force a change.

GK

 

if there are any drivers....uninstall...in safe mode ....reboot install in windows...then see

 

i dont think there are any bios settings pertaining to the keyboard/backlight that arent available thru control point, and there are no drivers.

allfiredup, my backlighting is uneven, and ill contact dell about it too. :\

not nearly as well backlit as the cheap toshiba my sister has

 

reinstall any device/driver/control panel neccesary for operating the backlight....reason why i am emphasizing, that HP does some touch buttons and they have a tendency to lock up in either modes, despite them working.... so i assume something like that might have happened with your PC...so give it a shot.....secondly a possiblity is a recent update from M$.... maybe return your pc to an earlier restore point..... or uninstall a recent update (again .Net Frameworks, ActiveX and such forms of softwares have a tendency to annoy hardware /software switches....paticularly frameworks....and their various iterations)

 

I uinstalled the Control Point software, which is how the keyboard backlight setttings are controlled. Then I downloaded and reinstalled from the Dell Support site- no change.

I decided to remove the keyboard, which was surprisingly simple. I couldn't find anything that looked suspect and I checked all connections. Then I reseated the keyboard. Interestingly, instead of a wide, flat cable connector that I've seen on other notebooks, the E6400 has a plug built onto the front edge of the keyboard and it snaps in under the TrackStick buttons.

The problem still wasn't corrected. As I've used the keyboard today, the space bar has developed a 'chirping' sound. It's obviously a hardware issue. I'm calling Dell right now to have them send me a new keyboard!

 

My replacement keyboard is being sent out tomorrow via FedEx Overnight. I'll get it on Friday before noon!

 

good luck! let us know how it goes. tell me if the keyboard is lit evenly!

and if the trackpoint is less responsive in the middle (because this one is!).