14" SXGA+ T61P backlight/brightness problem

On my brand new T61p, it seems to only have one brightness mode. I can't control brightness with the Fn and Home/End Keys.

Also, on my first boot up tonight, the LCD backlight did not even turn on - I had to reboot for backlighting to kick in.

What's wrong here? Am I missing something? I tried to go into Thinkvantage control and see the display settings, but when I click that option, nothing happens at all.

 

Make sure you have installed:

System Interface Driver (really important)
Thinkpad Power Management Driver
Lenovo Power Manager
Hotkey Driver
Updated video drivers

lenovo system update can grab all of those for you if you need them.

 

Check the Bios whether it the display brightness is set hi or low.

 

System Interface Driver (really important)
Not sure how to tell if this is installed.
Thinkpad Power Management Driver
This is installed
Lenovo Power Manager
Installed
Hotkey Driver
All the hotkeys work, when I select to brighten display, the icon works properly on the screen, the brightness just doesnt change.
Updated video drivers
I'm using the laptopvideo2go modded inf 163.44 geforce driver
Check the Bios whether it the display brightness is set hi or low.
Bios is set to LCD normal (other option is high)

 

It should show up in your uninstall list (at least it did for me)... so you probably don't have it installed right now.

 

Lenovo has a system update wizard that you should download that looks for updates over the internet.

So far it looks like you're going to need to rma it so far. A dead backlight at first boot and lack of brightness adjustment sounds like something is wrong with the LCD cable or something else inside.

I'm not sure but the brightness adjustment should be bios controlled, just like the Thinklight. So maybe a bios flash might help (system update also lets you flash your bios).

 

Using the Thinkvantage System Update program I looked for system interface driver download, but didn't see it. It also is not listed under add/remove programs in windows.

Tailic, the backlight problem didn't start on first boot, only later. There is a bios available to download and also Intel Chipset Support 6 which I will try.

 

The bios update fixes a docking issue with screen resolutions so I didn't install it. The Intel Chipset update didn't fix it. What else can I try? I looked in the Bios and the LCD is set to Normal.

 

In vista if you go to the control panel. Then Mobility Center. Click on Backlight and see if it comes on. That way you can tell if it is working or not. Also, the System Interface Driver is just that. A driver, it will not install a application like some of the other drivers.

 

Hmm, Ok, I'm using XP Pro, do you know how I could check for the System Interface Driver with XP?

Also, I booted into the BIOS and voila, i can use the FN + Home/End to change the brightness while in BIOS, so it must be a windows issue.

 

Try it anyways, maybe it'll overwrite the problem your having.

Also try changing the the Normal setting to High or whatever its called. Its mostly just to allow full brightness on battery but its worth a try.

If none of that helps then you're going to need to give tech support a call and tell them whats going on.

 

Updated Bios...no luck
Changed Bios Setting to HIGH for LCD....no luck

When I go into BIOS and lower brightness, it stays that way when windows boots and I can't change it at all. So, something is overriding the HOT KEYS. When I go to Thinkvantage Productivity Center/Device Configuration/Select Display Settings nothing happens.

FYI, looks like the System Interface Driver is just a Vista item.

 

Ok, looks like I found the culprit. The geforce driver I installed has taken over the LCD Brightness Function. Using the Nvidia control panel, I can move a slider to increase or decrease brightness. I'm glad my laptop isn't broken, but kinda bummed that I lose the convenience of Hot Keys to change it. Oh well, it's worth it to be able to use the driver. Thanks for all the help people.