I can not adjust the brightness on a VGN-Z12GN under Win 7 in SPEED mode

I have a Vaio Z, model is VGN-Z12GN.

I upgraded from the pre-installed Windows Vista to Windows 7 Professional (new, up-to-date legit copy from MSDNAA, no pre-release version).

When I am in Speed mode, I can not adjust the screen brightness by using Fn+F5 and Fn+F6. I really would like to have this functionality back again.

Several other users have reported same or related problems in at least two other threads [1][2], but I could not find a solution.

Adjusting screen brightness via Windows 7 functionality (the slider under "Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options") does *not* work either. However that is not so important to me, I am happy if I can adjust screen brightness at least via function keys, that would be enough.

I have turned off UAC.

Is it possible to fix this? I'd be thankful if someone who knows a solution could post it.

[1] http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342562&page=5
[2] http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=337179

 

There is no solution yet. I think everyone is waiting for Sony to release the official drivers in late October.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342947&page=64
(last 2 posts)

I am in the same boat as you (legit copy from MSDNAA, no brightness in speed mode and adjustment doesn't work either).

By any chance, do your Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 keys work in STAMINA mode? Mine don't but I can adjust with the Windows slider.

 

Yes, Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 works for me in Stamina mode only (however I personally use graphics-intensive stuff and I am never in Stamina mode).

Could you write which exact model of Vaio you are using?

 

Ah hah... Actually I'm in the same boat as you two (got my 7 Pro RTM through Uni via MSDNAA).

Actually, brightness in Stamina work for me, but like all others, brightness in SPEED doesn't work.
You could try checking out the Sony ftp thread once every few days; it's only a matter of time before working drivers come out.
I uninstalled 7 Pro in the end and will wait till all the drivers come out before installing again. CAD ain't the same on 7 without proper graphics control for me...

Have a VGN-Z26GN (see me sig for specs)

EDIT: You might wanna do a clean install (and not a upgrade) to install 7. Sure it takes time to setup your machine to your liking, but it sure beats waiting around for the upgrade (I heard 3 hours from some people...) since you are able to interact with 7 a bit more while resetting up your machine again. That plus you are certain no crap from Vista migrates onto 7.

 

I so know what you mean. Also, the display of my Vaio is so bright that I can not work with it in darkness for more than a few minutes if the brightness is on maximum, it's simply too strong.

It depends. Just setting up Cygwin again would take me a weekend at least. Then installing all the essential software etc... that would be just crazy. The last time I installed an OS from scratch was several years ago, simply because of the long tail of toolchains that would have to be installed after that. It's simply not practicable it if you need your laptop for constant productivity and make your living with it.

 

Damn, for some reason the Fn+F5/F6 keys don't do anything even in stamina; the brightness setting pops up but just shows as full and doesn't change. Perhaps it's the actual software running that hotkey, because I can change the brightness fine with the Windows slider. Anyone have any idea what could be stopping it from working for me? Volume, mute and LCD hotkeys all work fine.

Also, which version of the Nvidia graphics driver are you running?

 

I didn't try this while I had 7, but it works on Vista.
Try adjusting the brightness with the usual Fn method.
When the brightness indicator is on-screen, try pressing the left or down arrows (the direction keys below the right-side SHIFT bar).

In Vista, whenever the brightness indicator is on-screen, I can adjust the brightness using the direction keys like that (and press ENTER when you are done). Never tried it on 7 so not sure if it will work.

I will seriously give a loud LOL if that method works.........

 

I don't know which driver the nVidia chip is currently running under b/c I don't know where to look that up in Win 7. But the version of the nVidiia control panel is 1.5.700.23

 

system -> device manager -> display adapters -> nvidia geforce 9300m, right click on that and go to properties, then click the "driver" tab and the version number should pop up. i guess a more efficient question would be, where did you get the driver you're using? sony site, this site, etc? thanks!

 

With my Z46, i can adjust Brightness on Stamina. But not in Speed.
However, my workaround to adjusting in Speed mode is simply switch to Stamina Mode, set the brightness to what i want, then simply switch back to Speed mode.

It will keep the same brightness as in Stamina.

 

Driver Version 7.15.11.7449 from 6/16/2008.

Where I got it from: I had the Z with a fresh, clean install of Vista out of the box. I directly upgraded to Windows 7 Professional. So the driver is the one provided by Sony in the original Vista install, I guess.