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    Studio XPS 16: brightness control failed

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by RyGuye45, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You know how you're supposed to be able to change the brightness with fn + up/down keys? Well its not working.

    Tried reinstalling the video driver and bios.
    No effect.
    Tech support wants me to reinstall WIN7 :(
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 24, 2009
    #1
  2. ikjadoon

    ikjadoon Notebook Deity

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    Tried reinstalling Quickset?
     
    ikjadoon, Nov 24, 2009
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  3. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where do I get quickset?
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 25, 2009
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  4. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Nevermind, I found it (drivers and downloads), but reinstalling it didn't help any.
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 25, 2009
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  5. chewyeong90

    chewyeong90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Update your Bios ?
     
    chewyeong90, Nov 25, 2009
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  6. Angry dad

    Angry dad Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does any other FN function work? Im thinking the FN button is bad.
     
    Angry dad, Nov 25, 2009
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  7. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes I updated the BIOS.
    And the Fn key does seem to work because it activates things like the battery meter (Fn + F3). Also when I use Fn + up/down the pop up image appears on the screen and I can change the level on the image, but it has no effect on the brightness. The screen seems to be stuck at a very dim level (with almost a blueish tint).
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 25, 2009
    #7
  8. chewyeong90

    chewyeong90 Notebook Evangelist

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    It works fine for me. Is it working before this ? When all else fails, you would just adjust it at the power meter.
     
    chewyeong90, Nov 25, 2009
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  9. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    How do I change it at the power meter?
    BTW, dell now wants to replace the LCD. Pretty sure it's a hardware problem.
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 25, 2009
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  10. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Like what power meter are you talking about? And yes the control worked fine up until last night.
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 25, 2009
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  11. RyGuye45

    RyGuye45 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Dell will be sending a technician to my house to replace the display, because its definitely a hardware malfunction. But that has me a little worried because I thought I read in some forum that Dell field technicians sometimes screw up the display repair and dust starts getting behind the screen.

    Does anyone think I should ship it out to be repaired?
     
    RyGuye45, Nov 26, 2009
    #11
  12. ikjadoon

    ikjadoon Notebook Deity

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    IDK.....I mean, if you're there with the technician, you can personally make sure he does it right and if there is dust, he can just try again. If it's far away....well, that isn't exactly possible.
     
    ikjadoon, Nov 26, 2009
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  13. Doomtomb

    Doomtomb Notebook Enthusiast

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    How did this go because I am having the same issue
     
    Doomtomb, Apr 7, 2010
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  14. orucco

    orucco Newbie

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    I have the same problem and the removal of the battery and ac and holding the power button down did not work for me. I tried several times and then called tech support last evening and they are sending out a tech to changeout the RGBLED.
     
    orucco, Apr 9, 2010
    #14
  15. futuregator15

    futuregator15 Notebook Guru

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    I had this happen to me. Just taking out the battery and holding the power button for 10 seconds did the trick
     
    futuregator15, Apr 9, 2010
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  16. treyedean

    treyedean Notebook Enthusiast

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    I can tell you from experience that the dell technician will replace the entire screen housing. They consider the screen to be non field servicable, so you will get a refurbished screen and housing. Just inspect it real close before he leaves. One of my replacement screens had separation at the edge near the hinge.
     
    treyedean, Apr 9, 2010
    #16
  17. Nyctobello

    Nyctobello Notebook Enthusiast

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    I had the same problem. However, my problem started with these symptoms: I would turn the computer on, close the lid, go get my coffee, come back, open the lid, the screen would come on but then flick off. Would not come back on! I had to close the lid and re-open for the screen to turn on again. At first it didn't bother me since it didn't happen much, but then it got more persistent and the screen wouldn't stay on at all!
    Next day, the I switched off the machine manually and turned it back on, the screen went to full brightness and the Fn brightness wouldn't work, nor would quickset, nor would windows settings. I upgraded the bios from A12 to A14, and viola. Everything is fixed. At the beginning I was convinced it was a hinge problem, but thankfully, I have been running for a few days now symptom free. I have tried to recreate all my problems, but everything seems to be functioning normally.
     
    Nyctobello, Apr 9, 2010
    #17
  18. orucco

    orucco Newbie

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    Tech just left and replaced RGBLED and now brightness control works. Replacement was brand new.
     
    orucco, Apr 12, 2010
    #18