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    My Backlit Keyboard works with Ubuntu...how?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by theZoid, Aug 21, 2009.

  1. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    I set it to enable or disable with Dell Control Point in Vista...but Ubuntu? I don't recall seeing it in the bios.....anyone else have a Backlit keyboard? :D :p I don't even know how to set the amount of time it stays lit in Ubuntu...seems about right though....LOL
     
    theZoid, Aug 21, 2009
    #1
  2. archer7

    archer7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Pixie magic.
     
    archer7, Aug 21, 2009
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  3. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    According to the opensuse wiki page here it has to be set in Windows :( :( but it can be toggled in Linux.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Aug 21, 2009
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  4. Theros123

    Theros123 Web Designer & Developer

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    I thought the Dell latitudes could have those backlights tied to the BIOS instead of the OS?
     
    Theros123, Aug 21, 2009
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  5. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Regardless of the OS, the functionality is always in the BIOS. The question is whether or not the OS has a program that works with the hotkeys. In the case of Ubuntu, I would open Synaptic and search for any hotkey packages installed (search "dell hotkey" with installed packages filter enabled) as the developers do include hotkey packages based on manufacturer. Chances are something will pop up, unless Ubuntu has "unified" these manufacturer categorized hotkey packages into one or something.
     
    Bog, Aug 21, 2009
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  6. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    "Ambient light sensor works, and also controls keyboard backlight. (Keyboard backlight brightness can only be set using Dell Control Point under Windows, but the setting is remembered.)"

    the above per 'Groceries link....wonder if control point would run under wine? :eek:
     
    theZoid, Aug 21, 2009
    #6
  7. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    Even if it could run under wine, I doubt it'll be able to actually control anything because Ubuntu doesn't use system registry and etc
     
    zephyrus17, Aug 22, 2009
    #7
  8. manekineko

    manekineko Notebook Geek

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    I don't think the settings are stored in the system registry. They must be being stored somewhere in the hardware, because I can confirm that settings made in Windows seem to hold over to Ubuntu.
     
    manekineko, Oct 6, 2009
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  9. Dillio187

    Dillio187 Notebook Evangelist

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    I've found it annoying that in low light the keyboard doesn't stay on or turn on when the touchpad is touched. This is stuff that should be controlled in the bios IMO, but Dell want's to force you to load their DCP crap (in Windows none the less) to use it.
     
    Dillio187, Oct 6, 2009
    #9
  10. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Very doubtful. Wine is not an emulator. It is simply a reimplementation of the Win32 libraries. It will not allow system-level access to Windows apps because that's not Win32 functionality.
     
    Pitabred, Oct 6, 2009
    #10