[HP ProBook 4540s] brightness control problems

[Dmytro Khalin]

I bought a laptop in December 2012, immediately tried to put Ubuntu 12.10, got broken wi-fi and non-working graphics acceleration. Updated kernel to version 3.6, with graphic acceleration was all right, even partially earned wi-fi. After some time wi-fi hang, helped only restart the network subsystem.

Updated kernel to 3.7, with the wi-fi was all became normal, but stopped working brightness control with the Fn keys. Progress bar indicates that the brightness changes, but in fact nothing happens.

Tried the new distribution 13.04, on 3.8 kernels, 3.9, 3.10, nothing changes. Upon adjustment has broken in 3.7 kernel. It turns out that this is a regression.

WORKAROUND: Problem gone with kernel parameter acpi_backlight=vendor.

---
ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8.1
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse: Error: command ['fuser', '-v', '/dev/snd/seq', '/dev/snd/timer'] failed with exit code 1:
CRDA:
 country UA:
  (2402 - 2482 @ 40), (N/A, 20)
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-08-04 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424)
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP ProBook 4540s
MarkForUpload: True
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-19-generic root=UUID=f5b4658c-870e-449d-a9d7-5caaa6eec2f3 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-19.30-generic 3.8.8
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.8.0-19-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.8.0-19-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.106
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
Tags: raring
Uname: Linux 3.8.0-19-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
dmi.bios.date: 05/20/2013
dmi.bios.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.bios.version: 68IRR Ver. F.41
dmi.board.name: 17F6
dmi.board.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.board.version: KBC Version 58.1E
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnHewlett-Packard:bvr68IRRVer.F.41:bd05/20/2013:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHPProBook4540s:pvrA1018C1100:rvnHewlett-Packard:rn17F6:rvrKBCVersion58.1E:cvnHewlett-Packard:ct10:cvr:
dmi.product.name: HP ProBook 4540s
dmi.product.version: A1018C1100
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
---
ApportVersion: 2.12-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ubuntu 3887 F.... pulseaudio
                      ubuntu 14062 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA:
 country UA:
  (2400 - 2483 @ 40), (N/A, 20), NO-OUTDOOR
  (5150 - 5350 @ 40), (N/A, 20), NO-OUTDOOR
  (57240 - 65880 @ 2160), (N/A, 40), NO-OUTDOOR
CasperVersion: 1.336
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.10
LiveMediaBuild: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Alpha amd64 (20130807)
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP ProBook 4540s
MarkForUpload: True
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: noprompt cdrom-detect/try-usb=true file=/cdrom/preseed/username.seed boot=casper persistent initrd=/casper/initrd.lz splash -- maybe-ubiquity
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.10.0-6.17-generic 3.10.3
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.10.0-6-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.10.0-6-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.113
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
Tags: saucy
Uname: Linux 3.10.0-6-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
dmi.bios.date: 05/20/2013
dmi.bios.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.bios.version: 68IRR Ver. F.41
dmi.board.name: 17F6
dmi.board.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.board.version: KBC Version 58.1E
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnHewlett-Packard:bvr68IRRVer.F.41:bd05/20/2013:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHPProBook4540s:pvrA1018C1100:rvnHewlett-Packard:rn17F6:rvrKBCVersion58.1E:cvnHewlett-Packard:ct10:cvr:
dmi.product.name: HP ProBook 4540s
dmi.product.version: A1018C1100
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1208257

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

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[penalvch (penalvch)]

BondCreat, could you please confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ . If the issue remains, could you please run the following command in the development release from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal), as it will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report:

apport-collect -p linux <replace-with-bug-number>

Also, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds ? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Please do not test the daily folder, but the one all the way at the bottom. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

where VERSION-NUMBER is the version number of the kernel you tested. For example:
kernel-fixed-upstream-v3.11-rc3

This can be done by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon next to the word Tags located at the bottom of the bug description. As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, please comment as to why specifically you were unable to test it and add the following tags:
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug's Status as Confirmed. Please let us know your results. Thank you for your understanding.

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

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[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

In 3.11rc4 kernel Fn-F2 and Fn-F3 keys (brightness control) not working at all, progress bar doesn't appear. Also wi-fi connection very unstable.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

BondCreat, did this problem not occur in a release prior to Raring?

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

Christopher M. Penalver (penalvch), yes, in 12.10 all ok up to 3.6 kernel inc.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

BondCreat, could you please provide the information following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Debugging/Backlight ?

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

Problem gone with kernel parameter acpi_backlight=vendor. It works!

[penalvch (penalvch)]

BondCreat, the next step is to bisect between Quantal and Raring, in order to identify the commit that caused this problem. Could you please do this following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBisection ?

[Mantas Kriaučiūnas (mantas)]

I can confirm this bug on several HP Probooks, including HP ProBook 4740s with Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS (Precise) daily-live 2013-08-18 (from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/precise/), which has Linux kernel 3.8 (tested with several linux-image-generic-lts-raring versions, including the latest - 3.8.0-29-generic)

Changing screen brighness works fine if I add boot parameter acpi_backlight=vendor in Ubuntu 12.04.3 LiveCD or installed system.

Another workaround is to install older Linux kernel 3.5 from Ubuntu 12.04.2:
sudo apt-get install linux-image-generic-lts-quantal

So, problem is

Btw, this HP Probook has 2 video chipsets:

ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ lspci |grep -i VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Thames [Radeon HD 7550M/7570M/7650M]

I'm attachink /var/log/Xorg.0.log file when using 3.8.0-29-generic kernel (Ubuntu 12.04.3 LiveCD)

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Mantas Kriaučiūnas, please do not change anything on this report as you are not the original report. This is not a "every HP I tested with.." report, and that is not how linux (Ubuntu) bug reporting works.

Despite this, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, the Ubuntu Kernel team, Ubuntu Bug Control team, and Ubuntu Bug Squad would like you to please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please see the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices
Ubuntu Community: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, not filing a new report would delay your problem being addressed as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

Christopher M. Penalver, can you help me? I've tested latest Quantal release form http://releases.ubuntu.com/12.10/ on LiveUSB, all working normally. Then i've tested v.3.6.11-raring and v.3.7.raring kernels on installed system from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/. Brightness control have broken between this kernels. What should I do next?

[penalvch (penalvch)]

BondCreat, now that you have bisected kernel versions, the next step is to commit bisect between 3.6.11 to 3.7 via https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBisection .

[Bogdan Iavorskyi (bodya-y)]

i can confirm this on hp 4740s on 13.04,
tried last kernel 3.11 - problem still are, and wifi don't work.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Bogdan Iavorskyi, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, the Ubuntu Kernel team, Ubuntu Bug Control team, and Ubuntu Bug Squad would like you to please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, not filing a new report would delay your problem being addressed as quickly as possible.

No need exists to comment here at this time. After reading the above documentation in it's entirety, if you have further questions, you are welcome to redirect them to the appropriate mailing list or forum via http://www.ubuntu.com/support/community/mailinglists , or you may contact me directly.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Uroš Golob (na1pir)]

Probook 4540s with 12.04.3 3.8.0-29-generic x86_64 and
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Thames [Radeon HD 7550M/7570M/7650M]
and acpi_backlight=vendor added to boot kernel parameter backlight and its fn buttons works fine.

[prathik (iprathik)]

I too can confirm that on the same laptop. Also once i wake it up from sleep and enter my password the screen goes blank. I need to repress the power button and screen is back again. Should i install any drivers. I am facing quiet a few screen issues.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

prathik, so your hardware may be tracked, could you please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal while booted into a Ubuntu repository kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Dmytro Khalin (dr1v3)]

It seems that the problem was solved with the release of 14.10. Adjust the brightness works in a pure distribution when loaded from USB flash. The bug can be closed.