Lost my Ability to Use Blue Keys to Adjust Brightness?

[dejola]

I have a Thinkpad T21. A year or so ago I replaced the Thinkpad's original operating system - Windows 2000 Professional - with Windows XP.
Naturally this caused me to lose all of the IBM apps that came with the computer.

Now when I press the FN key and the increase brightness key (Home key) nothing happens. I am able to increase or decrease the brightness, but not increase it. It seems it should be brighter.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks.

John

[JHEM]

The keys work on the BIOS level to control the brightness, so does it work or not? Your post says it does and it doesn't.

The only "program" you might be missing is the onscreen display that shows a graphic representation of the brightness level, is that what you're missing?.

Regards,

James

[dejola]

Thank you, James.

I can decrease the brightness, but I cannot increase it. It seems it should be brighter than I can make it. I've had it alongside another T21 and the other T21 has a much brighter screen.

Thanks again.

[zver17]

i have the "onscreen display" with graphic representation of the brightness and sound level missing - does anybody know if its available for download and what is it actually called?

[edelrc]

Still confused. You "can decrease" but cannot increase it??? Do you mean you could do it just once I guess...

As JHEM mentioned, it works at a BIOS level, so software updats sould not affect it. If other T21 are brighter could be because it has 1000s of hours of less use. Brightness decreases with use throught the years...

I would try first in downloading the drivers for the graphic representation: For a T21 go here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-41987 (Display/Hot key Utility)

For zver17, find your model here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... PAD-MATRIX Once you have selected yur model, you may have to go to the "System Utilities File Matrix" link.

[dejola]

Sorry for the confusion. The key combo does indeed allow for increasing and decreasing the brightness after all. Yoiu are no doubt correct when you say the other Thinkpad is probably newer and/or used less, and thus has a brighter display.

Thanks for the links. I just used them.

Thanks again for your help.

[zver17]

i have T42, but cannot find "System Utilities File Matrix" - I looked under "system utilities" but nothing looks like onscreen display ...

[edelrc]

Oh... zver17, the T42 site does not have that link... older models do. You have to go to:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-55386 and then select the "Hot key Features". In other words, that will take you to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-38953


For users of a T4x, I would recomend the use of ThinkPad Software Installer, this feature is helpfull in identifying needed software and updates.

best wishes to both