Latitude 13 screen brightness under Win7

Hi,

I just received a Latitude 13 today. For several reasons, I need to use the 64bit version of Win7. Hence, I immediately washed out the 32bit Win7 and installed the 64bit one. The installation went through very smoothly as usual. However, I then found that I could not change the screen brightness by using Fn+up/down keys. I called the Dell support. After working on my machine for more that one hour, he finally suggested me the try the 32bit Win7 to see what happens.

Now, I would like to know if this is a well known problem of Latitude 13. If this is, then I just have to return the beautiful Latitude 13 and buy another model. Please help, your feedbacks will be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you try installing Dell ControlPoint System Manager? The Fn key combinations should be independent of the OS as they are BIOS-level commands. Do you happen to have the Ambient Light Sensor enabled (not sure of that system has one though)?

 

I am not sure Latitude 13 has the Ambient Light Sensor because I could not see the option from the BIOS setup. On the other hand, I see the Ambient Light Sensor option for my E4300.

I could not adjust the screen brightness by using Fn+up/down keys in BIOS setup on both of my E4300 and Latitude 13. However, Fn+up/down combination works in Win7/64bit on my E4300.

 

Try the ControlPoint System Manager and see if that helps.

 

Would you please let me know where to download the ControlPoint System Manager? I searched Dell's driver site but could not find it.

 

Hmm, they only have DCP Security Manager...this system is not really a Latitude though (a rebranded Vostro), so maybe that's why. Maybe you can try the version that can be found on your E4300's support page.

 

just type in the service tag number on the dell support and it will bring you to its correct driver page

 

Thanks for all the helps. Below is a summary of my understanding of this issue:

1. Dell does not have a Control System Manager for Latitude 13 yet. The one works for the E series does not work for Latitude 13. The computer refuses to install saying that it is not for Latitude 13.

2. The Fn+up/down can control the brightness at the beginning of bootup. But it stops working after the 4 flying dots form the window symbol. Once the machine is booted up, the Fn+up/down definitely does not work anymore.

3. If I put the machine into hibernate and wake it up, then the Fn+up/down works perfectly. I can put the machine into hibernate and wake again and again without any problem. But if I put the machine into sleep and wake up, then Fn+up/down stops working. Of course, Fn+up/down does not work anymore after a reboot.

4. I cannot adjust the brightness from Win7. In Win7, we are supposed to be able to adjust the brightness by

Click the power icon in the quick launch bar -> Adjust Screen Brightness

The tech support from Dell and me finally concluded that this is a hardware issue, not a driver problem. Hence, Dell has agreed to replace it with a new machine. I expect to have the replacement in 5-7 days. Hope the new one do not have problems.

 

That's really strange...hopefully the new system can fix it.

 

I had the same issue when I reinstalled Win7 on my laptop after putting in a SSD. After installing the video drivers from the dell website my brightness controls started to work again.