Vaio G11 brightness keys not working in XP

This is almost a classic problem. I just installed XP SP3 on a Vaio G11. I did everything according to Sony's plan. But the brightness keys don't work.

Is there a chance that Sony's drivers were written for XP SP2, and that SP3 is the cause of my problems? Reason I'm thinking this is that SP3 recognized some devices that SP2 doesn't recognize.

Also, are there any usefull Vaio G series threads? I did not find any, besides John Ratsey's review.

 

Did you install the Battery checker (ISB Utility)?

 

Yes.

Does it have anything to do with that?

 

Someone has been there before you. However, there's no indication about whether the problem got fixed.

The other way to approach this problem is to see how the TX / TZ handle the brightness under XP. Most of the internal hardware is the same on these and the G series.

John

 

Interesting links John. Thanks.

What about the idea about SP3, plausible or not? Sony's downgrade guide is written for SP2. Sometimes when the guide says "ignore the new hardware popup" there isn't any popup.

I'd hate to go through the trouble of getting a SP2 disk and doing everything for the third time if it doesn't work out.

Edit: Eureka!

It's working now. I reinstalled XP SP3 and then did everything literally like Sony said. Including all kind of software like Infineon TPM and who knows what.

 

I would have said that SP3 should not cause a problem like that.

Anyway, you seem to have got it fixed.

John

 

XP runs great now.

I'm surfing the web on wifi now with enough brightness, XP predicts 7:31 hours with 82% left

I won't be surprised if the number 9 starts showing up when I charge it.

 

Phil I know you have solved your problem now but i was just wondering did your laptop come with Vista Business or XP?

Btw, my TX is pretty similarly speced the only thing different is the amount of VRAM i think 128MB V 228MB. Battery life is very good with these notebooks.

I don't know if you know this or not but there are XP drivers on the ftp user website.I don't know if this might help you in the future.
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDOWNGRADE/G1-G2

How are you finding your G11?

Edited to add:
I have looked at the spec sheet and the hardware for our models are actually exactly the same they both have 224MB VRAM.

 

It came with Vista business.

Thanks for the link. I used the drivers from the main support website on Sony.co.uk. I'm guessing that's the same.

I like it a lot. The screen isn't the best anymore, a bit uneven, but still works well. I'm impressed by how fast it is. It feels more snappy than my Samsung NC10, which has a faster hard drive.

The screen is a lot bigger. 12" 4:3 1024*768 vs. 1024*600 on a 10". The difference is bigger than I expected.

Furthermore it's pretty quiet, cool and very light. Everything I'd want in a ultraportable.

On a sidenote, I also received a HP 2230s which I bought from Misco UK for 460GBP. Amazing value for money. 12", T5870, 1.7kg, X4500, HDMI etc. Probably the best value for money for small laptops.

 

How much RAM have you got in the G11? it will take a 2GB module and ignore the excess 0.5GB.

IMO the G11 is more like the netbooks should be, with a usable height to the screen. If Sony could figure out how to make and sell the G11 for £350 then they would be on to a winner.

John

 

XP reports 1.49GB of RAM.

As far as I know XP does not become faster from more RAM unless I use the extra RAM. Correct me if I'm wrong.

In my heaviest multitasking situation I use 600MB.

 

Look at the battery life now

 

Hi Phil,

Did you just reinstall the service pack 3 or did you do a fresh install of XP SP3? Reason being is that I have installed XP then upgraded to SP3 and everything works apart from the brightness. The volume comes up on the screen and works with the F3/F4 Fn buttons - just that brightness option that doesn't!

Also, if I need to buy XP SP3 I can't seem to be able to buy it for under £100 - is it really still this expensive?

Regards

UPDATE: I un-installed Vaio Control Center & Sony Event service & reinstalled both - all working now! Thanks to the poster here (Hamud)