Fn + Z doesn't change BIOS backlight keyboard policy in Toshiba Laptops

[Marcelo Ruiz]

Fn + Z should switch between the different backlight keyboard modes as defined in the BIOS.
I've seen this problem in both a Toshiba Qosmio X500 and Satellite M640 with backlight keyboards. In this last model (Satellite M640) the keyboard doesn't light up even with the BIOS option set to always on.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: linux-image-2.6.32-24-generic 2.6.32-24.41 [modified: lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/mpu401/snd-mpu401-uart.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/mpu401/snd-mpu401.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/opl3/snd-opl3-lib.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/opl3/snd-opl3-synth.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/pcsp/snd-pcsp.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-dummy.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-mtpav.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-mts64.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-portman2x4.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-serial-u16550.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/snd-virmidi.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/drivers/vx/snd-vx-lib.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/other/snd-ak4114.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/other/snd-ak4117.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/other/snd-ak4xxx-adda.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/other/snd-pt2258.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/other/snd-tea575x-tuner.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/i2c/snd-i2c.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/isa/sb/snd-sb-common.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/isa/sb/snd-sb16-dsp.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ac97/snd-ac97-codec.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ali5451/snd-ali5451.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/au88x0/snd-au8810.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/au88x0/snd-au8820.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/au88x0/snd-au8830.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/aw2/snd-aw2.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ca0106/snd-ca0106.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/cs46xx/snd-cs46xx.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/cs5535audio/snd-cs5535audio.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ctxfi/snd-ctxfi.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-darla20.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-darla24.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-echo3g.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-gina20.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-gina24.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-indigo.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-indigodj.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-indigodjx.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-indigoio.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-indigoiox.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-layla20.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-layla24.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-mia.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/echoaudio/snd-mona.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/emu10k1/snd-emu10k1-synth.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/emu10k1/snd-emu10k1.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/emu10k1/snd-emu10k1x.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-analog.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-atihdmi.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-ca0110.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-cirrus.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-cmedia.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-conexant.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-idt.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-intelhdmi.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-nvhdmi.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-realtek.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-si3054.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec-via.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-codec.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/hda/snd-hda-intel.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ice1712/snd-ice1724.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ice1712/snd-ice17xx-ak4xxx.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/korg1212/snd-korg1212.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/lx6464es/snd-lx6464es.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/mixart/snd-mixart.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/nm256/snd-nm256.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/oxygen/snd-hifier.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/oxygen/snd-oxygen-lib.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/oxygen/snd-oxygen.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/oxygen/snd-virtuoso.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/pcxhr/snd-pcxhr.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/riptide/snd-riptide.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/rme9652/snd-hdsp.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/rme9652/snd-hdspm.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/rme9652/snd-rme9652.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-ad1889.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-als300.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-als4000.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-atiixp-modem.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-atiixp.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-azt3328.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-bt87x.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-cmipci.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-cs4281.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-cs5530.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-ens1370.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-ens1371.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-es1938.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-es1968.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-fm801.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-intel8x0m.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-maestro3.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-rme32.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-rme96.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-sonicvibes.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-via82xx-modem.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/snd-via82xx.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/trident/snd-trident.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/vx222/snd-vx222.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pci/ymfpci/snd-ymfpci.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pcmcia/pdaudiocf/snd-pdaudiocf.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/pcmcia/vx/snd-vxpocket.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/soc/codecs/snd-soc-wm-hubs.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/soc/snd-soc-core.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/synth/emux/snd-emux-synth.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/synth/snd-util-mem.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/usb/caiaq/snd-usb-caiaq.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/usb/snd-usb-audio.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/usb/usx2y/snd-usb-us122l.ko lib/modules/2.6.32-24-generic/kernel/sound/usb/usx2y/snd-usb-usx2y.ko]
Regression: No
Reproducible: Yes
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-24.41-generic 2.6.32.15+drm33.5
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-24-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
AlsaVersion:
 Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.23.
 Compiled on Aug 22 2010 for kernel 2.6.32-24-generic (SMP).
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: CONEXANT Analog [CONEXANT Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: marcelo 1984 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xf0900000 irq 35'
   Mixer name : 'Conexant CX20583 (Pebble 56-LQFP)'
   Components : 'HDA:14f15067,1179ffd5,00100302'
   Controls : 20
   Simple ctrls : 15
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'NVidia'/'HDA NVidia at 0xcdefc000 irq 17'
   Mixer name : 'Nvidia GT240 HDMI'
   Components : 'HDA:10de000d,10de0101,00100100'
   Controls : 16
   Simple ctrls : 4
Date: Tue Aug 24 13:17:04 2010
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=55815425-f70d-4e0a-bf33-5f23071b8e17
InstallationMedia: Custom Live CD - Release amd64
MachineType: TOSHIBA Qosmio X500
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=4f68b9d8-8030-431a-917d-a3f55f2e0ac6 ro quiet splash
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.utf8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
RelatedPackageVersions: linux-firmware 1.34.1
RfKill:

SourcePackage: linux
dmi.bios.date: 06/11/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: TOSHIBA
dmi.bios.version: V2.60
dmi.board.name: Qosmio X500
dmi.board.vendor: TOSHIBA
dmi.board.version: Not Applicable
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: TOSHIBA
dmi.chassis.version: N/A
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnTOSHIBA:bvrV2.60:bd06/11/2010:svnTOSHIBA:pnQosmioX500:pvrPQX33U-03Q022:rvnTOSHIBA:rnQosmioX500:rvrNotApplicable:cvnTOSHIBA:ct10:cvrN/A:
dmi.product.name: Qosmio X500
dmi.product.version: PQX33U-03Q022
dmi.sys.vendor: TOSHIBA

[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

Hi Marcelo,

If you could also please test the latest upstream kernel available that would be great. It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please remove the 'needs-upstream-testing' tag. This can be done by clicking on the yellow pencil icon next to the tag located at the bottom of the bug description and deleting the 'needs-upstream-testing' text. Please let us know your results.

Thanks in advance.

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

[Jeremy Foshee (jeremyfoshee)]

This bug report was marked as Incomplete and has not had any updated comments for quite some time. As a result this bug is being closed. Please reopen if this is still an issue in the current Ubuntu development release http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ . Also, please be sure to provide any requested information that may have been missing. To reopen the bug, 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.]

[lixo1 (lixo1)]

I'm using the Toshiba Portege z830, same issue here: Fn+Z do not modify the bios options which controls the keyboard backlight, it means that if you want to switch on/off the backlight you must reboot and set it on the bios.
The bios for this machine provides 3 options for keyboard backlight: always on, always off, timer 15.

I'm running the current current Ubuntu development release (12.04, beta 2), please let me know if you need some special information.