Not able to control Brightness in my VAIO CW15FG laptop

[wizardvenkat]

I've installed Ubuntu 12.10 recently.
When ever I press Fn keys along with F5/F6 it shows that the brightness decreases / increases accordingly. But no difference on the screen.

I tried modifying the grub , xorg.conf files as mentioned in many other posts. But none helped me. I'm new to the Ubuntu environment and I'm completely clueless about what to do.

In my /sys/class/backlight directory, I find two folders (shortcuts)
nv_backlight &
sony
And when I change my brightness I find the value changes accordingly in brightness file present inside 'sony' folder.

Earlier I tried to install nvidia driver for my G210M graphics card and failed. I get a blank screen after the boot screen after installation. So reverted the settings to work on my default driver

I even tried kubuntu 12.10 live cd (KDE environment) and found the same problem there.
Plz someone help me with this brightness issue. it is even Ok for me to work without my nvidia drivers as I'm not a big fan of games.

[Toz]

I tried modifying the grub

What modifications did you make to grub? Did you try the acpi_backlight=vendor parameter?

[wizardvenkat]

What modifications did you make to grub? Did you try the acpi_backlight=vendor parameter?

This info is available in my /etc/default/grub
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=sony"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi_backlight=sony"

[Toz]

The parameter should say exactly acpi_backlight=vendor, the vendor keyword indicating to use the vendor-specific driver instead of the acpi driver.

acpi_backlight=sony is not a valid parameter.

Make sure to also run:

sudo update-grub
...afterwards to commit the edits.

If it still doesn't work on reboot, can you post back the results of:

cat /proc/cmdline
...and the contents of your dmesg log file? Use this command:

pastebinit /var/log/dmesg
...and post back the link that is generated.

[wizardvenkat]

acpi_backlight=vendor statement is also not working.

These are my results for cat proc/cmdline :

BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-18-generic root=UUID=446e1f28-d397-4eef-a7fb-fa0eda88129a ro acpi_backlight=vendor quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor vt.handoff=7

And my PasteBin URL is here (http://paste.ubuntu.com/1359382/)

[Toz]

Can you remove both of the acpi_backlight=vendor parameters from grub and reboot the computer? This time post back the results of:


cat /proc/cmdline
lsmod

...and the links to the following two log files:

pastebinit /var/log/dmesg
pastebinit /var/log/Xorg.0.log

You also mentioned that you tried to install the nvidia driver and that it didn't work. How did you try to install it? Was it through the additional drivers tab via:

software-properties-gtk
...(or Ubuntu Software Centre, select Edit->Software Sources and on the Additional Drivers tab)?

[wizardvenkat]

The results for cat /proc/cmdline :

BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-18-generic root=UUID=446e1f28-d397-4eef-a7fb-fa0eda88129a ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7

The results for lsmod :

Module Size Used by
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 32007 4
joydev 17457 0
bnep 18140 2
parport_pc 32688 0
ppdev 17073 0
rfcomm 46619 0
bluetooth 209199 10 bnep,rfcomm
binfmt_misc 17500 1
arc4 12529 2
coretemp 13400 0
microcode 22803 0
snd_hda_codec_realtek 77876 1
snd_seq_midi 13324 0
snd_rawmidi 30512 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 61521 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_hda_intel 33491 5
snd_hda_codec 134212 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_i ntel
snd_hwdep 13602 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 96580 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
snd_seq_device 14497 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
uvcvideo 76749 0
videobuf2_core 32851 1 uvcvideo
snd_timer 29425 2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
videodev 120309 2 uvcvideo,videobuf2_core
videobuf2_vmalloc 12860 1 uvcvideo
mac_hid 13205 0
videobuf2_memops 13368 1 videobuf2_vmalloc
sony_laptop 54039 0
snd 78734 20 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_rawmi di,snd_seq,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,s nd_pcm,snd_seq_device,snd_timer
nouveau 895609 3
psmouse 95552 0
iwlwifi 386826 0
serio_raw 13215 0
ttm 83595 1 nouveau
mac80211 539908 1 iwlwifi
drm_kms_helper 46784 1 nouveau
drm 275528 5 nouveau,ttm,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit 13413 1 nouveau
mxm_wmi 12979 1 nouveau
cfg80211 206566 2 iwlwifi,mac80211
video 19335 1 nouveau
soundcore 15047 1 snd
lpc_ich 17061 0
wmi 19070 2 nouveau,mxm_wmi
snd_page_alloc 18484 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
lp 17759 0
parport 46345 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
uas 17844 0
usb_storage 48838 0
firewire_ohci 40401 0
sdhci_pci 18616 0
firewire_core 64368 1 firewire_ohci
sdhci 32645 1 sdhci_pci
crc_itu_t 12707 1 firewire_core
sky2 58111 0

[wizardvenkat]

Pastebin for /var/log/dmesg (http://paste.ubuntu.com/1359495/)

PasteBin for /var/log/Xorg.0.log (http://paste.ubuntu.com/1359500/)

[wizardvenkat]

I've downloaded the nvidia drivers from Nvidia site.
I don't know the version but I hope the filename "NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-304.64.run" gives you the information you needed..

[Toz]

I've downloaded the nvidia drivers from Nvidia site.
I don't know the version but I hope the filename "NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-304.64.run" gives you the information you needed..

Try enabling the official additional drivers instead. Fire up Ubuntu Software Centre, select Edit->Software Sources, and look on the "Additional Drivers" tab (or, run "software-properties-gtk" in a terminal window instead).

EDIT: Hopefully, you can get nvidia drivers installed. If, with the nvidia drivers installed, you still don't get backlight control, you can try adding:

Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1"
...to the "Device" section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf (log out and back in for it to take effect).

If still no luck, have a look at the nvidiabl driver here (https://github.com/guillaumezin/nvidiabl). According to nvidiabl-laptops.h, your system is supported. The downloadable deb file is located here (https://github.com/guillaumezin/nvidiabl/downloads)

[wizardvenkat]

I installed the Nvidia drivers from software-properties-gtk,
changed the xorg.conf file like this :



Section "Device"
Identifier "Default Device"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
Option "RegistryDwords" "EnableBrightnessControl=1"
EndSection
And added the acpi_backlight parameter in grub like this :



GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi_backlight=vendor"
Updated the Grub and restarted. But no changes...
So as you suggested I installed nvidiabl driver from github. Even after that I can't change my brightness.... :( What to do ?

[Toz]

1. Uninstall nvidiabl.

2. Change grub and add acpi_osi=Linux to the existing kernel line. Reboot. Does it work now? Post back:

cat /proc/cmdline

3. Remove both acpi_osi and acpi_backlight=vendor. Reboot.

Post back:

pastebinit /var/log/dmesg
pastebinit /var/log/Xorg.0.log
...and the results of the following command:

for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done
...and

lsmod

4. Are you using the function keys to change brightness? If so, do they emit an acpi response? Open a terminal window, run:

sudo acpi_listen
...and press the function keys. Do any codes show up in the terminal window?

[wizardvenkat]

I uninstalled nvidiabl.
Modified the grub like this :



GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor"


Updated & rebooted. But no luck.

Also removed acpi_osi & acpi_backlight parameters and restarted. Still no luck.

pastebinit /var/log/dmesg (http://paste.ubuntu.com/1361632/)
pastebinit /var/log/Xorg.0.log (http://paste.ubuntu.com/1361633/)

Results for 'for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done'


/sys/class/backlight/sony
7
7
7



And lsmod code is


Module Size Used by
btrfs 761721 0
zlib_deflate 26914 1 btrfs
libcrc32c 12644 1 btrfs
ufs 74821 0
qnx4 13317 0
hfsplus 84442 0
hfs 54553 0
minix 36058 0
ntfs 97304 0
msdos 17332 0
jfs 181093 0
xfs 837979 0
reiserfs 246392 0
ext2 72880 0
joydev 17457 0
nvidia 11257759 42
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 32007 4
arc4 12529 2
coretemp 13400 0
mxm_wmi 12979 0
snd_hda_codec_realtek 77876 1
psmouse 95552 0
snd_hda_intel 33491 5
snd_hda_codec 134212 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_i ntel
snd_hwdep 13602 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 96580 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
microcode 22803 0
snd_seq_midi 13324 0
snd_rawmidi 30512 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 61521 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_timer 29425 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 14497 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
serio_raw 13215 0
iwlwifi 386826 0
lpc_ich 17061 0
uvcvideo 76749 0
videobuf2_core 32851 1 uvcvideo
snd 78734 20 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_i ntel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,s nd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
mac80211 539908 1 iwlwifi
videodev 120309 2 uvcvideo,videobuf2_core
videobuf2_vmalloc 12860 1 uvcvideo
videobuf2_memops 13368 1 videobuf2_vmalloc
cfg80211 206566 2 iwlwifi,mac80211
soundcore 15047 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 18484 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
video 19335 0
mac_hid 13205 0
bnep 18140 2
sony_laptop 54039 0
rfcomm 46619 0
parport_pc 32688 0
wmi 19070 1 mxm_wmi
bluetooth 209199 10 bnep,rfcomm
ppdev 17073 0
binfmt_misc 17500 1
lp 17759 0
parport 46345 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
usb_storage 48838 0
firewire_ohci 40401 0
firewire_core 64368 1 firewire_ohci
crc_itu_t 12707 1 firewire_core
sdhci_pci 18616 0
sdhci 32645 1 sdhci_pci
sky2 58111 0


Yes I tried both the Fn keys and changing from the settings itself...
I'm getting the acpi_listen response as follows :


sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 00000011
sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 0000003b
sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 00000010
sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 0000003b

The first two line when I increase my brightness and the others while decreasing it....

[Toz]

Do the following commands adjust your brightness:

echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness
...to dim and:

echo 7 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness
...to brighten again.

EDIT: It looks like acpi events are being generated, they just don't seem to be tied to anything. If the above works, we may be able to workaround this issue.

(note to self: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2033273)

[wizardvenkat]

No the code

"echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness"

still does not make changes to my screen...

As I've already mentioned, the values in brightness in /sys/class/backlight/sony changes... But no effects on screen...

[Toz]

Hmmm, can you report back again the following:

for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done
...just to confirm.

EDIT: Also report back the results of that command with the acpi_backlight=vendor grub parameter.

[wizardvenkat]

After executing the code "echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness"

I get the response for "for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done"
as
/sys/class/backlight/sony
4
4
7

[Toz]

Can you try the same command with the acpi_backlight=vendor grub parameter enabled?

[wizardvenkat]

Modified grub like this :



GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="acpi_backlight=vendor"


updated it, rebooted and gave the command


echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness

after which I gave


for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done

and still got the same response..


/sys/class/backlight/sony
4
4
7

[Toz]

Did the screen brightness change?

[wizardvenkat]

Before installing nvidia drivers from software-properties-gtk, I had problem when ubuntu starts..
I get a plain purple screen after which I get the login screen.
While shut down I get the usual Ubuntu screen (the purple screen with Ubuntu written and an animation indicating that shutdown /restart process is going on)

After installing the nvidia drivers, I get a text "Ubuntu 12.10" with no loading animation. and sometimes I get it with a black background on it. And while shutting down, I just get my screen blanked. No acknowledgement about the Ubuntu getting shut down. I've to to look at the Power LED to make sure my PC is turned off...

Is that something to do with/related to the brightness issue ???

[wizardvenkat]

Did the screen brightness change?

No, no changes on the screen :(

[Toz]

Before installing nvidia drivers from software-properties-gtk, I had problem when ubuntu starts..
I get a plain purple screen after which I get the login screen.
While shut down I get the usual Ubuntu screen (the purple screen with Ubuntu written and an animation indicating that shutdown /restart process is going on)

After installing the nvidia drivers, I get a text "Ubuntu 12.10" with no loading animation. and sometimes I get it with a black background on it. And while shutting down, I just get my screen blanked. No acknowledgement about the Ubuntu getting shut down. I've to to look at the Power LED to make sure my PC is turned off...

Is that something to do with/related to the brightness issue ???

More likely its related to the install of the nvidia drivers. Unfortunately, I don't have an nvidia card and can't comment. You might want to create another thread afterwards to discuss that issue.

In the meantime, does that command change the screen brightness for you?

echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness

You can also try:

echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness
...to try to get more of an effect.

[wizardvenkat]

More likely its related to the install of the nvidia drivers. Unfortunately, I don't have an nvidia card and can't comment. You might want to create another thread afterwards to discuss that issue.

In the meantime, does that command change the screen brightness for you?

echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightnessYou can also try:

echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness...to try to get more of an effect.

No changes on the screen...

[Toz]

That's interesting. Can you try re-installing nvidiabl (https://github.com/guillaumezin/nvidiabl/downloads) and then again try running:

for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done

Lets see if we can get a backlight interface that we can manipulate.

[wizardvenkat]

After I re-installed nvidiabl drivers again, I get


/sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight
34487
126
127
/sys/class/backlight/sony
1
1
7


after typing
for interface in /sys/class/backlight/*; do echo $interface; cat $interface/brightness; cat $interface/actual_brightness; cat $interface/max_brightness; done

[Toz]

Do either of these commands dim the screen brightness:

echo 64 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

echo 4 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness

Also, what does the following return:

lsmod

[wizardvenkat]

Finally !!! I'm able to control the brightness through the code


echo 20 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness
However, the code


echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness
still doesnt work....

The results for lsmod is :


Module Size Used by
usb_storage 48838 0
uas 17844 0
rfcomm 46619 0
bnep 18140 2
parport_pc 32688 0
bluetooth 209199 10 rfcomm,bnep
ppdev 17073 0
binfmt_misc 17500 1
joydev 17457 0
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 32007 4
arc4 12529 2
nvidia 11257759 42
coretemp 13400 0
snd_hda_codec_realtek 77876 1
snd_hda_intel 33491 5
snd_hda_codec 134212 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_i ntel
snd_hwdep 13602 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 96580 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
snd_seq_midi 13324 0
snd_rawmidi 30512 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 61521 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
mxm_wmi 12979 0
nvidiabl 40764 0
snd_timer 29425 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 14497 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
snd 78734 20 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_i ntel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi,s nd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
iwlwifi 386826 0
mac80211 539908 1 iwlwifi
uvcvideo 76749 0
videobuf2_core 32851 1 uvcvideo
videodev 120309 2 uvcvideo,videobuf2_core
soundcore 15047 1 snd
videobuf2_vmalloc 12860 1 uvcvideo
video 19335 0
videobuf2_memops 13368 1 videobuf2_vmalloc
psmouse 95552 0
cfg80211 206566 2 iwlwifi,mac80211
snd_page_alloc 18484 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
lpc_ich 17061 0
sony_laptop 54039 0
wmi 19070 1 mxm_wmi
mac_hid 13205 0
serio_raw 13215 0
microcode 22803 0
lp 17759 0
parport 46345 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
firewire_ohci 40401 0
sky2 58111 0
firewire_core 64368 1 firewire_ohci
crc_itu_t 12707 1 firewire_core
sdhci_pci 18616 0
sdhci 32645 1 sdhci_pci
So how do I control the brightness from the GUI (slider in 'Brightness & Lock' utility and hotkeys) ?

[Toz]

Ok, lets make the following changes and see what happens.

Create the following files with the following content (you will need root privileges to do this, so something like "gksu gedit <file>" where <file> is: )

1. /etc/acpi/events/sony-brightness-up

event=sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 00000011
action=/etc/acpi/brightup.sh

2. /etc/acpi/events/sony-brightness-down

event=sony/hotkey SNC 00000001 00000010
action=/etc/acpi/brightdown.sh

3. /etc/acpi/brightdown.sh

#!/bin/bash
curr=`cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/actual_brightness`
if [ $curr -gt 11 ]; then
curr=$((curr-11));
echo $curr > /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness;
fi

4. /etc/acpi/brightup.sh

#!/bin/bash
curr=`cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/actual_brightness`
if [ $curr -lt 117 ]; then
curr=$((curr+11));
echo $curr > /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness;
fi

Make all 4 of those scripts executable via:

sudo chmod +x /etc/acpi/events/sony-brightness-up
sudo chmod +x /etc/acpi/events/sony-brightness-down
sudo chmod +x /etc/acpi/brightdown.sh
sudo chmod +x /etc/acpi/brightup.sh

Restart acpid:

sudo service acpid restart

The function keys should now work.

Let me know if the gui controls work as well (you should probably log out and back in again to check the gui controls).



EDIT: To make the gui controls work, I believe you need to create (if it doesn't already exist) the file /etc/modprobe.d/nvidiabl with the following contents:

options nvidiabl type=firmware
...and reboot, or:


sudo modprobe -r nvidiabl
sudo modprobe nvidiabl type=firmware

[wizardvenkat]

Thanks a lot Toz !! :)
Everything works fine now...
The hot keys and the GUI control.
But still I don't know why my Brightness resets to maximum when I open Firefox or Thunderbird ?
It does not happen if I open other softwares..

[Toz]

Thanks a lot Toz !! :)
Everything works fine now...
The hot keys and the GUI control.
Good news. Glad to hear it worked.

But still I don't know why my Brightness resets to maximum when I open Firefox or Thunderbird ?
It does not happen if I open other softwares..
I've never heard about this type of problem before. Pretty wierd. A quick search of google found this (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/DOM/window.screen.mozBrightness). Can you check and see if you have the property dom.screenBrightnessProperty.enabled and if so, is it set to true? You might also check what plugins/add-ons you have installed and whether one of them might be doing this.