Laptop screen is dim on battery or AC power 1

[mattoed]

If anyone can help me with this, I will be forever grateful. My laptop screen is dim (still readable, not backlight or other major problem like that). It used to be bright when plugged into the AC power and then dim (like it is now) when on battery power to conserve battery life. But now, it is dim all the time and there is no difference between battery power and AC power. I have made sure that the proper setting in my BIOS is enabled, and in fact, while in the BIOS, the screen behaves like it should (dimming when unplugged from AC power). But when I get into Windows XP, it is dim once again. Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[micker377]

Screen saver - power settings. Try different settings here. There are different settings for main and battery.

 

[mattoed]

Thank you, I have already tried the power schemes, with no luck. There is no setting for screen brightness, only a time to: turn off monitor, turn off hard drive, and go into standby mode. I still think that this problem is a simple as finding the setting that controls this feature, I just can't find it. More info on this, if it's useful. I've updated to the most recent drivers. If it is a hardware problem, could it be my battery? My charger? The plug on the back of the laptop? All of these, I've ruled out because the computer still charges normally. I'm stumped.

 

[micker377]

Since it works "normal" in BIOS setup, I would discount a hardware problem. Do you have any type of video setup when under Windows? What I mean: My Nvidia card has a setup program that is seperate from from BIOS and "Power" page. True, this is a desktop, but any vid card could have a setup program. My Dell (BOOO!) monitor is too bright (I have to get into the monitor color driver board and adjust the drive controls one of these days). In the meantime, I have the Nvidia board compensate. It's wierd to watch it boot up - picture is too bright until halfway through the boot, and then lowers to "normal".

 

[mattoed]

I have an Intel 830M Graphics Controller Software. I've checked all the settings that I can and don't seem to find anything related to this issue. I've chatted with Gateway Support (most unhelpful, especially since it's out of warranty). They've told me everything from reinstalling drivers to trying a new battery to rebuilding the OS. I've reinstalled the drivers, holding on the battery, and waiting for my external hard drive to come back to me so I can try a new OS build. As far as changing the brightness during boot. It is pretty much just the first screen (boot mask screen) that is bright. As soon as anything windows displays, it is pretty dim. Thanks for your patience and insight in this issue.

 

[mattoed]

OK, so the star didn't mean that my issue was resolved, I just wanted to say that it was useful information for people to read. Does anyone else know of some information that would be helpful in resolving this issue? Thanks.

 

[LloydSev]

He is correct in saying that this is not a hardware issue.

I would look at software that may have come with the laptop set to handle power consumption.. not sure about gateway's, but Dell laptops come with new software which disable devices automatically when not in use on battery power, as well as handle the laptop display brightness.

Adjust Screen Brightness

You can also conserve battery by reducing the screen brightness. To adjust your screen brightness, refer to the instructions from your mobile PC manufacturer. Every computer is slightly different, but you can usually use a combination of keys, a function key, or a software tool to dim the screen.

Even better than dimming the screen is blanking it completely when you're not using your computer. You can further minimize power consumption by reducing the amount of time the computer is idle before the screen goes blank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do I have less battery life when I increase the LCD brightness on the M275 notebook?

A: The brighter you set the LCD panel the less battery life you have. Using the Brightness Boost button or selecting the brightest LCD level using the FN+F8 function keys, gives you the brightest LCD level but decreases battery life while at these settings.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[mattoed]

I looked for any kind of software that would control such power, display, graphics options except the intel graphic software (already investigated earlier) and couldn't find any that addressed this problem. I also have searched the Gateway help sections and chatted online with their support staff. Most recently they told me to rebuild windows, but have also suggested trying a new battery or AC adapter. These I haven't tried yet because it seems like a little spendy troubleshooting to me. I guess I don't know how the display works and if I understood that better, I might be able to troubleshoot more effectively. As such, I'm not completely sure that it's not a hardware issue. Does the backlight have different settings in that when it is plugged in it uses a high setting and when it is on battery power, it uses or lower setting? One that is not run by software, but by an internal hardware configuration? Thanks.

 

[LloydSev]

Gateway's support specifically says to hit FN+F8 to use the brightest display level.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA