Sony VPCZ116GG - No backlit keyboard option?

Hi everyone,

I bought the Z116GG from Malaysia and brought it over to Australia. Everything is fine with the laptop however I can't seem to get the backlit keyboard to work. I have seen a screenshot posted here where to enable/disable this feature, but when i go into this Keyboard and Mouse settings I seem to be missing the Backlit Keyboard option.

http://www.sony.com.my/product/vpcz116gg

Can anyone assist me in rectifying this issue. I have dled and installed all the latest software and firmware but I still don't have this option. Unless it's the 116GB that has the backlit keyboard and not the 116GG?

Any advice would be appreciated. I have lodged an online support query with Australia but thought I would get further clarification here.

Thanks in advance.

 

The backlit keyboard is covered with rubber and the non-backlit, afaik, is made of simple plastic.

 

backlit isn't rubber, just matte plastic.

 

Looking at the specs page, it does list the keyboard as having backlighting. I seem to recall reading somewhere on here that there is a model that doesn't have backlighting.

 

Check under VAIO Control Center under keyboard and mouse, if it doesn't have it there, you probably messed up the software.
From what I read it does have. Did you do a clean install or anything that would mess up the software>?

 

I don't think I messed up the software. After using the laptop for around a day I began updating everything through the Sony Update Center (Can't recall the exact name).

I didn't do any clean install or even uninstall any software for that matter.

Any other ideas? I got a dud?

The whole reason I bought this laptop was because it had the backlit keyboard feature (one of the reason anyway).

Anyone have any experience dealing the the Sony Service Centre here in Australia?

 

It happened to me once, that I had to do a system restore using the recovery disc. I would suggest restoring to factory defaults sing the recovery discs.
Than update ALL windows updates and than update all sony updates.

 

There is such an easy way: Your keyboard should light up when powering on the computer in the dark. At this time, there is no software loaded yet, so if that works and your keyboard wont light up in windows, you have a software issue. If it doesnt light up at power on, you probably have a keyboard w/o backlight or a hardware issue.

 

I speak from experience. One time it simply did not want to turn on in the dark. An untill I did a restore it not want to come on.

He may want to play with the settings and test it out in the dark, but if not I would go to the next step

 

Backlight should turn on if you hide the light sensor (on the left of "verrnum" led), if not this might be 1) you don't have a backlit keyboard (but I do not know Z11 without, only Z12) 2) your backlight is deffective or 3) your sensor is defective (I think backlit can't turn on if the sensor receive light)

 

hi, just check - if letters on your keyboard are stickers - you have a nbk version without backlit support (EU version), if letters are transparent (engraved in plastic)- you have backlit version (USA). I have EU model VPCF11M1E, and probably will have to invest extra 40 USD in a new backlit keyboard (available on Ebay).