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laptop screen brightness

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by 401402, 2011/07/21.

  1. 2011/07/21
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    i have a dell vostro 1700 laptop-xp
    i cannot remeber how to adjust the brightness up and down
    its FN somthing but nothing i've tried has worked???

    any one help
    ron
     
    401402,
    #1
  2. 2011/07/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Ron. Try pressing the FN key in combination with the key that looks like a Sun with an arrow on it. It should look like this, Labtop brightness picture.

    If the brightness keys aren't on the arrow keys then they could be on the F1-F12 keys. You just have to look closely.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  4. 2011/07/21
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    must be my keyboard was messed up by coffee and fn now doesnt work-i'm plugged in to a usb keyboard
     
    401402,
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  5. 2011/07/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Does the USB keyboard have any function keys on it? Are you sure the function keys on the labtop keyboard don't work?
     
    Evan Omo,
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  6. 2011/07/21
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    no func keys on usb just the windows logo on the spot where fn is on my laptop
    i judt assumed the FN doesnt work as the letter C V Z dont work on the laptop any more
     
    401402,
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  7. 2011/07/21
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Oh thats not good. You can try this method and see if you can get the Fn key to work. Click Start< Run and type services.msc and hit enter. When the serivices window opens scroll down and locate and highlight the Human Interface Device Access/HID Input Service. Make sure the service is set to Automatic and that it is Started.

    If the service is disabled then right click on the service and click Properties. Under Startup Type set it to Automatic and then click the Start button. Click Ok to save the changes and then close the Services window.

    See if the Fn key works now.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #6
  8. 2011/07/21
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    it was on! automatic went through the f-1 through f-12 also on the arrow up and down with the sun on it nothing happened?did not dim or get brighter on any of the above mentioned key strokes
     
    401402,
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  9. 2011/07/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I'm not sure, but I don't know if you can control screen brightness with an external keyboard.

    If you want to make a one-time adjustment you can do so from the BIOS.

    Next I'd replace the laptop's keyboard. They aren't that expensive and not difficult to change.
     
    Arie,
    #8
  10. 2011/07/23
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    i will look into replacing....
     
    401402,
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  11. 2011/07/23
    Eraser

    Eraser Inactive

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    I would suggest using the on screen virtual keyboard.
    Start>run>OSK

    This should launch the on screen keyboard.
     
    Last edited: 2011/07/23
    Eraser,
    #10
  12. 2011/07/23
    401402

    401402 Inactive Thread Starter

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    thanks for the tip-eraser
     
    401402,
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  13. 2011/07/25
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    I doubt the OSK or a USB keyboard would work, the only chance would be if you knew the keyscan code of the fn Key and remapped it to another key (even then it's unlikely to work). As Arie posted, replacing the keypad is your best option.
     
    wildfire,
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  14. 2011/07/25
    ephemarial

    ephemarial Well-Known Member

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    Just another thought – isn’t there a graphics option somewhere?
    One that allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, gamma and various other things?

    Not talking about the basic keyboard options but the graphics software installed.
    Don’t know what graphics your computer has since it comes with various options but –

    Should be an icon by the clock on taskbar – else look in control panel for Nvidia, Intel graphics – else rt click on desktop for ATI catalyst controller selection.
     
    ephemarial,
    #13
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