Screen brightness after running on battery problem

[marzipan99]

If I unplug the power cord and run on battery, when I reconnect to the mains later, the screen instantly darkens to a lower setting. This is a setting lower than the setting I have set up in Vaio power management for running on either battery or mains - I think it resets to the default lowest setting.

If I adjust it with function+f4 to brighter, then it resets darker after a few minutes. When I press function+f4 the bars can't be advanced to brighter with repeated presses of f4 - it goes to the highest brightness, though I can reduce it back down.

The only way to make sure the power setting for mains are restored and stays restored for more than a few minutes is to re-boot.

Can this be right? No changes I make in the power management utility seem to fix this - and yes, I've read the manual.

Should I delete the Vaio power management utility and use the windows default? Is there an update on this? Can I reload the Vaio power management utility again?

[Jonmorse]

just a question on my sz2-xp it's function+F6 to make the screen brighter. is it different on yours?

If I adjust it with function+f4 to brighter, then it resets darker after a few minutes.

[marzipan99]

Sorry, yes f6

[marzipan99]

I found the same problem with my sz2-xp. On talking to Vaio-link they pointed me to the display settings (which were set to the same) then asked me to disconnect the power and then reconnect it. Which stopped it working that time though I have seen it a few times since.

Can you talk me through that ? Display settings as in "display" option via the control panel? If so, what then - advanced? troubleshoot? Or other display menu

[@6253377301000802]

I already replied in the other post about this but as I said there, this is a known driver bug - use the vaio update centre!

[marzipan99]

What other post? What update?

[marzipan99]

OK, I go to support - Downloads and Upgrade

As ever, I enter the serial number,,,

Do I then see anything saying Driver Update for SZ2XP?

Do I bollocks.

Where is this update? What is it called? Do you mean update the bios? I hope not...


Please. Pretty Please.

[marzipan99]

Found the damn thing under video

Sony don't make it easy

[Masked]

I had the same problem, found out that it was a program smartdimmer in nvidia control panel. It's only accessible when running on battery though. I disabled all options (don't forget 2d tab) and never had problems since!

[@6253377301000802]

There should be an icon down on the system tray in Windows if you didn't remove it already. VAIO Update Centre is the name of the "util". When you click it Internet Explorer will open and you'll be directed onto a VAIO site for updates.

After accepting the user agreement you'll see a page with two types of upgrades;

1. Auto updates
2. Manual updates

I can see some of you are mentioning the BIOS. This is not a BIOS issue. It is a bug in the spesiffic GForce driver.

Under manual updates you will find a driver update for the GeForce video adapter.

Follow the steps and remember you must run the Speed Mode to update the driver.

I had the same issue with my SZ2VP and I reckon all users with the old driver and GeForce 7400 will have this issue.

[Jonmorse]

Hi,

I have done all of the updates and keep my machines very up to date. The problem is still on going and causes some amusement to those I work with (I'm not someone who is good at hiding when things annoy).

Jon