no brightness control in sony vaio vgn-fe31b

[Manuel López-Ibáñez]

Binary package hint: acpi-support

Writing to /proc/acpi/sony/brightness doesn't have any effect. Neither does "spicctrl -b".
FN+F5 or FN+F6 don't work either.

[Ralf Meyer (ranf)]

I can see sonypi: error messages in the dmesg output. There really seems to be a problem.

Could you please post the output of this command line:
---
grep . -r /var/lib/acpi-support/*-*
---

[Andrew Fenn (andrewfenn)]

Are you using the latest BIOS version for your laptop?

I have found that by upgrading my Laptop model's BIOS to the latest version fixed my brightness issues. Although I am using a different laptop to you so I can not comment on if it will work for you.

[Manuel López-Ibáñez (manuellopezibanez)]

manu@localhost:/$ grep . -r /var/lib/acpi-support/*-*
/var/lib/acpi-support/bios-version:R0170J3
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-manufacturer:Sony Corporation
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-product-name:VGN-FE31B
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-version:C3LN79BM

[Manuel López-Ibáñez (manuellopezibanez)]

There are no BIOS updates for my laptop model, so I guess I am using the latest version.

[Ralf Meyer (ranf)]

Setting to
Package: linux-source-2.6.20

[TJ (tj)]

I believe the FE31 model range is similar to the FE41 range; I have an FE41Z and met the same issue. The root cause is that these models do not use sonypi mechanisms. Instead they appear (from examining Windows Vista Device Manager) to be using Sony NC (Notebook Control).

The smartdimmer comand-line utility (available in the repositories) will, for models with Nvidia video chip-sets, allow the brightness to be adjusted.

I've just sorted this out for myself. I put together a new Gnome panel applet that uses smartdimmer to control the screen brightness, based on the VaioLCD applet that uses sonypi.

You can read more about it in the forums:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=451781

I would like to be able to disable sonypi from loading but an entry in /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist isn't preventing it from being loaded.

[Manuel López-Ibáñez (manuellopezibanez)]

I must say that smartdimmer is what I am using now but it is kind of a poor man's solution.

First, the effect seems different from what it is obtained in Windows. Not sure how to describe it but it feels like if the screen was actually equally bright but you were just adjusting the colors. In short, it feels fake whereas in windows the brightness changes feel natural.

 Second, I wasn't able to make it remember the values. I put together two scripts to assign to Win+F5 and Win+F6 because the Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 don't work. Yet, Fn+P works. S1 and S2 button don't work either. I kind of regret buying this sony laptop without more care. Perhaps when they sell Dell+Kubuntu in Europe I will exchange it.

[TJ (tj)]

I don't share your perceptions of smartdimmer's effect, it seems correct to me. Having looked at the source-code, and that of nvclock (recently updated and does brightness and more) I know that both are directly controlling the Nvidia chipset screen brightness registers.

As to the Fn keys, yes it is annoying that Sony are using the Notebook Controller, which means the sonypi solution used on older Vaio's can't handle the key events. That said, it isn't really a show-stopper to loose a couple of minor keys and a few alternate function keys. Work is in progress to address the issue.

I was expecting a hard and long fight to get the VGN-FE41Z fully configured for GNU/Linux but I've been overwhelming surprised and pleased at how everything is supported including the internal SoftModem via the Linuxant HSF drivers.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

Could you please recheck it with latest Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 or the Live CD?

[Galeno Garbe (eu-galenogarbe)]

I've the same problem with my Sony Vaio Laptop. I think that mens a real BUG.

/var/lib/acpi-support/bios-version:R0080J4
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-manufacturer:Sony Corporation
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-product-name:VGN-C240E
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-version:C3LP3MGR

Based in the comments above I decided don't try to update my BIOS and wait for a solution? (hopefully before the next Ubunto release)

[ethicalstar (ethicalstar-ohm)]

This is the only thing keeping me out of linux right now. I care abt my eyes!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

[Manuel López-Ibáñez (manuellopezibanez)]

@ethicalstar

If this is the only thing keeping you out of linux, sure you are lucky because plenty workarounds exist.

For example, try installing smartdimmer: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=2702790

For KDE, I use the two following scripts and I assigned Win+F5 to execute brightdown.sh while Win+F6 executes brightup.sh.

brightup.sh:
------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh
LEVEL=`smartdimmer -i -g`
kdialog --passivepopup "$LEVEL" 1
--------------------------------------------------

brightdown.sh
---------------------------------
#!/bin/sh
LEVEL=`smartdimmer -d -g`
kdialog --passivepopup "$LEVEL" 1
----------------------------------------------------

Also, you can set brightness in the System Settings in KDE or using the Nvidia Settings application.

[ethicalstar (ethicalstar-ohm)]

hi manu!
   Thanks a lot!! This saved me!!! I wont forget this. Long live Linux :)

[huiii (a00ps)]

i have a FZ 31 m.
if u look arround in forums, u will see, that nobody succeeded to get the fn keys to work,, i myself tried lots and tons of solutions, but none of them seem to apply..
$ grep . -r /var/lib/acpi-support/*-*
/var/lib/acpi-support/bios-version:R2110J7
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-manufacturer:Sony Corporation
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-product-name:VGN-FZ31M
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-version:C6006T3W
i tried smartdimmer, but that asks for nvclock.
i installed nvclock from repo which is the latest (nvclock 0.8beta3) and that says it just supports nvidia cards up to 7xxx series.
i got now, lets see what this does...
$ sudo nvclock -S 15
Error!
Smartdimmer is only supported on certain laptops using a Geforce 6200/7x00Go. If you want support on your laptop contact the author.
....aha
so that is my unfortunate loop, and of all FZ owners...

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Beginning with the Hardy Heron 8.04 development cycle, all open Ubuntu kernel bugs need to be reported against the "linux" kernel package. We are automatically migrating this bug to the new "linux" package. However, development has already began for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. It would be helpful if you could test the upcoming release and verify if this is still an issue - http://www.ubuntu.com/testing . If the issue still exists, please update this report by changing the Status of the "linux" task from "Incomplete" to "New". We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition. Thanks!

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

The Ubuntu Kernel Team is planning to move to the 2.6.27 kernel for the upcoming Intrepid Ibex 8.10 release. As a result, the kernel team would appreciate it if you could please test this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. There are one of two ways you should be able to test:

1) If you are comfortable installing packages on your own, the linux-image-2.6.27-* package is currently available for you to install and test.

--or--

2) The upcoming Alpha5 for Intrepid Ibex 8.10 will contain this newer 2.6.27 Ubuntu kernel. Alpha5 is set to be released Thursday Sept 4. Please watch http://www.ubuntu.com/testing for Alpha5 to be announced. You should then be able to test via a LiveCD.

Please let us know immediately if this newer 2.6.27 kernel resolves the bug reported here or if the issue remains. More importantly, please open a new bug report for each new bug/regression introduced by the 2.6.27 kernel and tag the bug report with 'linux-2.6.27'. Also, please specifically note if the issue does or does not appear in the 2.6.26 kernel. Thanks again, we really appreicate your help and feedback.

[Eric Donkersloot (ericd)]

Fn F5 + Fn F6 do not work on this laptop running Intrepid, nor setting the brightness manually or with the gnome brightness applet:

ericd@vaiopro:~/Desktop$ uname -a
Linux vaiopro 2.6.27-7-generic #1 SMP Tue Nov 4 19:33:20 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

ericd@vaiopro:~/Desktop$ grep . -r /var/lib/acpi-support/*-*
/var/lib/acpi-support/bios-version:R0290Q1
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-manufacturer:Sony Corporation
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-product-name:VGN-BZ12XN
/var/lib/acpi-support/system-version:C102QZ98

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Per a decision made by the Ubuntu Kernel Team, bugs will longer be assigned to the ubuntu-kernel-team in Launchpad as part of the bug triage process. The ubuntu-kernel-team is being unassigned from this bug report. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeamBugPolicies for more information. Thanks.

[frapell (frapell)]

Ok, don't know if i should post a comment here or in #315255, but as that was marked as duplicate of this, i think here is the place...

I updated to the latest version (2.6.27-11.24) and brightness control is working fine again. Nothing else to report :-)

thank you guys

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Thanks frapell.

Can anyone else confirm this is resolved with the 2.6.27-11 kernel that is currently available from intrepid-proposed. For information on how to enable -proposed, refer to http://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/EnableProposed

[Scott G (scotta-g1967)]

Hi Guys,

I am using the latest 2.6.27-11 Kernel and can confirm that the brightness control is all A-OK..
Thanks Guys

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Thanks for the updates. Marking this Fix Released.

[TJ (tj)]

Leann, I think this should re-opened and tagged as affecting Jaunty.

It is (still) not possible to control the back-light on the Vaio VGN-FE41Z with Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 without my smartdimmer workaround (I need to build a new package for Jaunty and put it in my PPA).

lspci -nn -s:01:00.0
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: nVidia Corporation G70 [GeForce Go 7600] [10de:0398] (rev a1)

Although the sony-laptop module's control nodes can be written to they have no effect. Here's the output after reducing the brightness from 7 to 5 (no actual visual effect):

for node in /sys/class/backlight/sony/*; do [ -f $node ] && echo "$node = $(cat $node)"; done
/sys/class/backlight/sony/actual_brightness = 5
/sys/class/backlight/sony/bl_power = 0
/sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness = 5
/sys/class/backlight/sony/max_brightness = 7
/sys/class/backlight/sony/uevent =

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

I'm reopening per TJ's last comment. Thanks.

[Pablo (itu-pablo)]

I confirm this. On Jaunty running on a VAIO AR520E I can in no way change the screen brightness.

[Pablo (itu-pablo)]

Changing my previous comment: using nvclock it is possible to change brightness in my VAIO.

[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

This bug report was marked as Triaged a while ago but has not had any updated comments for quite some time. Please let us know if this issue remains in the current Ubuntu release, http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download . If the issue remains, click on the current status under the Status column and change the status back to "New". Thanks.

[This is an automated message. Apologies if it has reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[Manuel López-Ibáñez (manuellopezibanez)]

I am the original reporter but I do not own this laptop anymore, so I cannot report on progress. Feel free to close if none else has the same problem. I am unsubscribing

[Som83 (catfish83)]

I can adjust brightness on my Sony Vaio VGN-S5XPR only with smartdimer. FN button doesn't work.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug was filed against a series that is no longer supported and so is being marked as Won't Fix. If this issue still exists in supported series, ple
ase file a new bug.

[TJ (tj)]

The bug has come back to bite us for Precise and Quantal since the previous work-around using nvclock/smartdimmer no longer works (see Bug #1039916 "Nvidia driver causing SIGSEGV in nvclock and smartdimmer").

There are better alternatives than the un-maintained nvclock package now, such as Guillaume Zin's "nvidiabl" kernel-module project. However, that fails to have an effect on some Vaio models including VGN-FE41Z.

https://github.com/guillaumezin/nvidiabl

It would be a good idea to bring nvidiabl into the Ubuntu archives since it uses the existing kernel sysfs interface rather than the hackish nvclock mechanism.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Manuel López-Ibáñez, this bug report is being closed due to your last comment https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/115525/comments/29 regarding you no longer having the hardware. For future reference you can manage the status of your own bugs by clicking on the current status in the yellow line and then choosing a new status in the revealed drop down box. You can learn more about bug statuses at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Status. Thank you again for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Please submit any future bugs you may find.