[Dell Inspiron 14z (N411z)] brightness FN keys don't generate evdev events

[postadelmaga]

This is similar to these bugs:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1229591
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1280394

It is not ubuntu related because it affects also other distro (Arch/Fedora).
It is a regression ( it was working fine on Raring/Precise) and it is probabbly related to in the kernel module that manages Dell Hotkeys. (dell_wmi ?? )

I'm not sure what kind of information I can add here to be helpfull.

At the present I'm on ubuntu 15.04, the FN key are not working however the brightness can be changed manually ( using applet or by shell )

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 15.04
Package: linux-image-3.19.0-9-generic 3.19.0-9.9
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.19.0-9.9-generic 3.19.1
Uname: Linux 3.19.0-9-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.16.2-0ubuntu4
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: fra 4321 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: KDE
Date: Mon Mar 23 01:08:20 2015
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=5b95e473-75da-434b-9123-66887ff65f11
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-03-10 (377 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Alpha amd64 (20140309)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Dell System Inspiron N411Z
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.19.0-9-generic root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-lv_root ro quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor intel_pstate=enable vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.19.0-9-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.19.0-9-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.143
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to vivid on 2015-03-20 (1 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 09/10/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A06
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: 0P01VP
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: FAB1
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: 0.1
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA06:bd09/10/2012:svnDellInc.:pnDellSystemInspironN411Z:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0P01VP:rvrFAB1:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr0.1:
dmi.product.name: Dell System Inspiron N411Z
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.0 kernel[0].

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/v4.0-rc5-vivid/

[postadelmaga (postadelmaga)]

Tested with last upstream kernel `linux-image-4.0.0-040000rc5-generic` the problem persist.

Yes, the issue started to happen after an update/upgrade, I'm not sure when exactly started.
Anyway if you check bug #122959, @rpgmaker says "Going over all the versions between 12.10 and 14.04 revealed that 13.04 is the only one where the brightness keys still work. " [0]

Where can I download a very old kernel package ( 13.04 time ) ? or better a 13.04 iso ? ( so I can test it )

[0] https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1229591/comments/60

[postadelmaga (postadelmaga)]

Errata corrige: I mean bug #1229591

Also bug #1280394 contains other useful information.

I'm not sure if it was a good idea to open this current bug, since we already have 2 ... but It looks the other 2 are old and not followed anymore

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]