10de:0def [Lenovo Thinkpad T530] With discrete graphics brightness control doesn't work

[Matt White]

This laptop has Optimus. Following instructions on https://wiki.kubuntu.org/Kernel/Debugging/Backlight I have tried in /etc/default/grub kernel parameters:
acpi_backlight=vendor, thinkpad-acpi.brightness_enable=1.

I have tried /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-brightness-control.conf: Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1"

I have tried editing /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness with tee

None of these have enabled brightness control.

WORKAROUND: If I boot with integrated graphics instead of Nvidia, it works fine.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: linux-image-3.5.0-18-generic 3.5.0-18.29
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-18.29-generic 3.5.7
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-18-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu6
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: mwhite 2138 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: mwhite 2138 F.... pulseaudio
Date: Tue Nov 27 23:39:07 2012
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=c574cd15-a9b9-4064-b22e-62b5bf4ce531
InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-11-27 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.5)
MachineType: LENOVO 2359CTO
MarkForUpload: True
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 nouveaufb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-18-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=fdfd5708-06eb-454a-a3c7-bdd98054c811 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-18-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-18-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.95
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 09/13/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: G4ET62WW (2.04 )
dmi.board.asset.tag: Not Available
dmi.board.name: 2359CTO
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: Win8 Pro DPK TPG
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Not Available
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrG4ET62WW(2.04):bd09/13/2012:svnLENOVO:pn2359CTO:pvrThinkPadT530:rvnLENOVO:rn2359CTO:rvrWin8ProDPKTPG:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrNotAvailable:
dmi.product.name: 2359CTO
dmi.product.version: ThinkPad T530
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.7 kernel[0] (Not a kernel in the daily directory) and install both the linux-image and linux-image-extra .deb packages.

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.7-rc7-raring/

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Also, unfortunately the Nvidia driver is proprietary, so the may not be much that can be done if the upstream kernel still contains this bug.

Something you can look at is the bumblebee project:
http://www.bumblebee-project.org/

[Matt White (mattw922)]

I can try the new kernel, yes. Also, I have tried the Noveau driver as well as the Nvidia driver, so I don't think it's a problem with the driver.

I noticed this interesting output from dmesg - any suggestions after looking over it? Thanks so much for looking at this issue with me.

mwhite@wt-tpad:~$ dmesg | grep -i acpi
[ 2.543464] thinkpad_acpi: ThinkPad ACPI Extras v0.24
[ 2.543469] thinkpad_acpi: http://ibm-acpi.sf.net/
[ 2.543473] thinkpad_acpi: ThinkPad BIOS G4ET62WW (2.04 ), EC unknown
[ 2.543476] thinkpad_acpi: Lenovo ThinkPad T530, model 2359CTO
[ 2.544619] thinkpad_acpi: detected a 8-level brightness capable ThinkPad
[ 2.544796] thinkpad_acpi: radio switch found; radios are enabled
[ 2.544835] thinkpad_acpi: This ThinkPad has standard ACPI backlight brightness control, supported by the ACPI video driver
[ 2.544838] thinkpad_acpi: Disabling thinkpad-acpi brightness events by default...
[ 2.548379] thinkpad_acpi: rfkill switch tpacpi_bluetooth_sw: radio is unblocked
[ 2.549805] Registered led device: tpacpi::thinklight
[ 2.549876] Registered led device: tpacpi::power
[ 2.549912] Registered led device: tpacpi::standby
[ 2.549951] Registered led device: tpacpi::thinkvantage
[ 2.549966] thinkpad_acpi: Standard ACPI backlight interface available, not loading native one
[ 2.553198] thinkpad_acpi: Console audio control enabled, mode: monitor (read only)
[ 2.555345] input: ThinkPad Extra Buttons as /devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/input/input5
[ 2.589309] ACPI Warning: 0x0000000000000460-0x000000000000047f SystemIO conflicts with Region \_SB_.PCI0.LPC_.PMIO 1 (20120320/utaddress-251)
[ 2.589323] ACPI: If an ACPI driver is available for this device, you should use it instead of the native driver
[ 2.589332] ACPI Warning: 0x0000000000000428-0x000000000000042f SystemIO conflicts with Region \_SB_.PCI0.LPC_.PMIO 1 (20120320/utaddress-251)
[ 2.589341] ACPI: If an ACPI driver is available for this device, you should use it instead of the native driver
[ 2.589347] ACPI Warning: 0x0000000000000500-0x000000000000053f SystemIO conflicts with Region \_SB_.PCI0.LPC_.LPIO 1 (20120320/utaddress-251)
[ 2.589355] ACPI: If an ACPI driver is available for this device, you should use it instead of the native driver
[ 3.554695] nvidia 0000:01:00.0: power state changed by ACPI to D0
[ 3.554706] nvidia 0000:01:00.0: power state changed by ACPI to D0
[ 4.509651] ACPI Error: Field [TBF3] at 274432 exceeds Buffer [NULL] size 262144 (bits) (20120320/dsopcode-236)
[ 4.509663] ACPI Error: Method parse/execution failed [\_SB_.PCI0.PEG_.VID_.GETB] (Node ffff880407466348), AE_AML_BUFFER_LIMIT (20120320/psparse-536)
[ 4.509675] ACPI Error: Method parse/execution failed [\_SB_.PCI0.PEG_.VID_._ROM] (Node ffff880407466320), AE_AML_BUFFER_LIMIT (20120320/psparse-536)
[ 6.327212] thinkpad_acpi: asked for hotkey mask 0x0070ffbf, but firmware forced it to 0x0070ffbb

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

One additional question, do you know if there was a prior Ubuntu release that did not have this bug?

[Matt White (mattw922)]

Just tried on Quantal 3.5.7 and 3.6.3 and same result. I am not aware if a prior release had this issue or not as this is a brand new laptop and I installed 12.10 on it.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

This issue also appears to be an upstream bug, since you tested the latest upstream kernel. Would it be possible for you to open an upstream bug report[0]? That will allow the upstream Developers to examine the issue, and may provide a quicker resolution to the bug.

Please follow the instructions on the wiki page[0]. The first step is to email the appropriate mailing list. If no response is received, then a bug may be opened on bugzilla.kernel.org.

[0] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Upstream/kernel

[Daniel Bonniot de Ruisselet (bonniot-users)]

I have the same problem with a T520 on 12.04.

A workaround is to switch to a virtual text console (e.g. Control+Alt+1), change the brightness there, and switch back (Control+Alt+7).

[Matt White (mattw922)]

Sorry for the delayed response. Fn+Space turns the keyboard backlight and
Thinklight on, but does nothing for the screen brightness. Please also see
this report: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=51131

Aaron at the end says we're depending on Nvidia for brightness control. Is
this true?

Thanks,
Matt

On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 4:23 PM, Chris Johnston <<email address hidden>
> wrote:

> Matt, can you do me a favor please.. Try pressing Fn+Space a couple of
> times.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1083984
>
> Title:
> Brightness control doesn't work on Lenovo Thinkpad T530
>
> Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
> Triaged
>
> Bug description:
> Following instructions on
> https://wiki.kubuntu.org/Kernel/Debugging/Backlight
>
> I have tried in /etc/default/grub: kernel parameters
> acpi_backlight=vendor, thinkpad-acpi.brightness_enable=1.
>
> I have tried /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-brightness-control.conf:
> Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1"
>
> I have tried editing /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness with
> tee
>
> None of these have enabled brightness control. If I boot with
> integrated graphics instead of Nvidia, it works fine. (Note: this
> laptop has Optimus). Any further suggestions?
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
> Package: linux-image-3.5.0-18-generic 3.5.0-18.29
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-18.29-generic 3.5.7
> Uname: Linux 3.5.0-18-generic x86_64
> ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu6
> Architecture: amd64
> AudioDevicesInUse:
> USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
> /dev/snd/controlC1: mwhite 2138 F.... pulseaudio
> /dev/snd/controlC0: mwhite 2138 F.... pulseaudio
> Date: Tue Nov 27 23:39:07 2012
> HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=c574cd15-a9b9-4064-b22e-62b5bf4ce531
> InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-11-27 (0 days ago)
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64
> (20121017.5)
> MachineType: LENOVO 2359CTO
> MarkForUpload: True
> ProcEnviron:
> TERM=xterm
> PATH=(custom, no user)
> XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
> LANG=en_US.UTF-8
> SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcFB: 0 nouveaufb
> ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-18-generic.efi.signed
> root=UUID=fdfd5708-06eb-454a-a3c7-bdd98054c811 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
> RelatedPackageVersions:
> linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-18-generic N/A
> linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-18-generic N/A
> linux-firmware 1.95
> SourcePackage: linux
> UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
> dmi.bios.date: 09/13/2012
> dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
> dmi.bios.version: G4ET62WW (2.04 )
> dmi.board.asset.tag: Not Available
> dmi.board.name: 2359CTO
> dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
> dmi.board.version: Win8 Pro DPK TPG
> dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
> dmi.chassis.type: 10
> dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
> dmi.chassis.version: Not Available
> dmi.modalias:
> dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrG4ET62WW(2.04):bd09/13/2012:svnLENOVO:pn2359CTO:pvrThinkPadT530:rvnLENOVO:rn2359C...

[Andrew Dahl (droidjd)]

To answer Matt's question, yes, it is up to the nVidia driver to control the brightness control.

I've a T530 running Fedora and the backlit display works after resume. I'm using the nVidia proprietary driver and added the following line under the "Device" section in the Xorg conf file (/etc/X11/xorg.conf)

Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1"

Hope that helps!
-Andrew

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Matt White, as per http://download.lenovo.com/express/ddfm.html an update is available for your BIOS (2.53). If you update to this following https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BiosUpdate , does it change anything?

If not, could you please both specify what happened, and provide the output of the following terminal command:
sudo dmidecode -s bios-version && sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-date

Please note your current BIOS is already in the Bug Description, so posting this on the old BIOS would not be helpful.

For more on BIOS updates and linux, please see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette .

Thank you for your understanding.