Thinkpads Forum

Hi! I have a Thinkpad X201 and once in a while the brightness changes automatically. My default brightness setting is the brightest available but I've noticed that when my face gets closer to the screen or when I'm indoors and the room light changes my LCD's brightness also changes. It will darken and then after 30 to 60 seconds it will go back to its default setting.

I have Windows XP and as far as all drivers for all my hardware on Device Manager they are all installed properly. It is not screen saver or some power saving inactivity settings because I've disabled all that. I also don't have the Lenovo Presentation software or any other Lenovo Power Saving junk installed so it can't be that. Finally, it is also not a setting relating to whether the power adapter is plugged in or running under battery because it happens either way and my setting is to have the brightest LCD for both unplugged and plugged.

The "Lenovo power saving junk" as you call it, is actually very useful and using it might solve your problem. But I don't know if it will run properly under XP. The X201 was designed to use Windows 7 and you're going to have unpredictable results with a lot of things by using XP. Using XP on these new models is kind of like putting gasoline in jet engine (it might run, but it won't fly).

You might look at the settings in your BIOS. Changing a setting there might solve the dimming and brightening issue you're having. Or possibly power or display settings in XP itself.