Problem adjusting brightness for a VGN-SZ650N running on W7 32bit

I am using a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ650N notebook model. I upgraded the OS to Windows 7 Professional 32-bit recently and got the dreaded "fn key malfunctioning" issue, which I was able to quickly fix by reinstalling drivers from Sony's website in a certain order. Changing the display brightness with the fn keys does work, however, whenever I close the lid or put the computer to sleep, I cannot change the brightness again until I reboot. When I try, the little meter pops up but only changes one bar before it gets "stuck". Changing the slider in Power Options doesn't work either unless I reboot. This gets pretty annoying when I close my lid and walk to class each day :\
I've tried this with the most recent NVIDIA graphic driver from Sony's website. When that didn't work, I went to laptopvideo2go.com and downloaded the latest modified NVIDIA driver there to work on my machine. I'm no tech guru (obviously), so I don't even know if the problem is with my graphics card. But my card model is a GeForce 8400M GS version 196.34. I am still experiencing the same issue. Is there any way around this?
Some places suggested updating BIOS, which I tried through my device manager. I've already been told that all my drivers are up to date though.

I've tried contacting Sony's tech support, but as you can guess, the response was that, "your machine was not designed to run Windows 7...blahblahblah...we have no plans to release future drivers for it as this is a discontinued model...please do a system restore. Kthxbye". As I have said before, the fn keys do work flawlessly before closing the laptop lid or putting the computer to sleep, which suggests that Windows 7 SHOULD be able to work with the Vista Vaio Event Manager drivers.

 

Bump? ;x

 

I wanted to say I have the same problem with closing the lid and having brightness stop functioning even though I have a different machine (Asus G50vt). I found another thread or two with people with this same problem but I can't find a solution yet...

I'm running Win7 Pro x64.

 

Hi

Same problem here. Tried to search and found the following post:

Setting Up Sony VAIO Event Service on Windows 7 x86 / Windows 7 x64 for Brightness (Fn+F5/Fn+F6), Mute/Volume (Fn+F2/Fn+F3/Fn+F4), and Monitor Switching (Fn+F7) Control - Komeil Bahmanpour

I haven't tried it myself since I have the Fn keys working except for when my laptop wakes up from sleeping mode or hybernation.

If anyone cares to try the method in the link, can you please post feedback and detailed method if successful?

Please note that the very last comment on the thread might be useful but is too complicated for me to follow.

Good luck,

MiMiX

 

Augh I actually did find a solution to this, it only fixes brightness but involves modding graphics driver .inf files yourself... It is a bit complicated for the typical user I think (or at least annoying).

In short I would suggest using official nvidia drivers from nvidia's website if the manufacturer's do not work. If you are having issues with more than just brightness, or if you see a brightness setting in the windows mobility center and are able to change the brightness from there (Windows key + X) then you have a different problem and installing different graphics drivers will not work. Look for a hotkey driver instead.
Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

 

After upgrading my sony vaio VGN-SZ650N to windows 8 , brightness control not available on windows + I and function F5 & F6 not working.

I followed Komeil Bahmanpour guide in setting up Sony Vaio Event service on this link Setting Up Sony VAIO Event Service on Windows 7 x86 / Windows 7 x64 for Brightness (Fn+F5/Fn+F6), Mute/Volume (Fn+F2/Fn+F3/Fn+F4), and Monitor Switching (Fn+F7) Control - Komeil Bahmanpour .

After installing the last file and restarting windows , Brightness control and F5 & F6 function still not working. So I decided to uninstall the Sony Vaio Event through the control panel and start again my windows, Brightness control now working on Windows + I but the function keys F5 & F6 still not working.