[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

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[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux Mint 17.1

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[SOLVED] Brightness control not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint 17.1
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 10:16 am Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
I have new laptop .... 2014 4:18 pm
DELL Inspiron 15 3543 (3000 Series) 5th Generation Intel Core i5-5200U
Processor
Video Card: Intel HD Graphics 5500

I just installed Linux Mint 17.1 XFCE 64-bit alongside windows 8.1 by
following the excellent instructions by gold_finger
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=163126

Everything is working great(booting successfully with UEFI) but my

brightness function keys f11 &f12 are not changing the brightness levels on
display.

EDIT: The slider appears on screen, and moves when I press the function
keys but brightness doesn't change.

I found these instructions ....

http://itsfoss.com/fix-brightness-ubuntu-1310/
... and thought it would resolve my problem so I did the following....

opened terminal...
CODE: SELECT ALL

inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $ ls /sys/class/backlight/
acpi_video0  intel_backlight
inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $

to confirm graphics card is Intel

then I created following configuration file, after checking it does not exist:
CODE: SELECT ALL

ls /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d      # file does not exist so

1 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

create new file...

sudo touch /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf

then I edited this file using gedit ... (is it ok to use gedit?)
CODE: SELECT ALL

sudo gedit /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf

Added the following lines to this file:

CODE: SELECT ALL

Section "Device"
        Identifier  "card0"
        Driver      "intel"
        Option      "Backlight"  "intel_backlight"
        BusID       "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection

Saved it and reboot.

but DIDN'T WORK, my f11 &f12 keys still don't adjust brightness

I ran following code to check brightness...

CODE: SELECT ALL

inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $ cat /sys/class/backlight

/intel_backlight/brightness
937
inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $

should I delete this file I created? Does anyone have a good solution to fix
my problem? any help would be appreciated.
regards, Hugh

EDIT: I ran following code to see additional information will help pin point
the problem ....

CODE: SELECT ALL

inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $ sudo lshw -C video

[sudo] password for inspiron:
  *-display               
       description: VGA compatible controller
       product: Broadwell-U Integrated Graphics
       vendor: Intel Corporation
       physical id: 2
       bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
       version: 09
       width: 64 bits
       clock: 33MHz
       capabilities: msi pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list
rom

Last edited by hughparker1 on Sat May 09, 2015 12:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Brightness control function keys not

working Linux Mint

2 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

by Pjotr » Sat May 09, 2015 11:24 am

Please generate a complete overview of your system like this:

- launch a terminal window and make it full screen, to avoid chopped lines;
- copy/paste this command into the terminal:
Pjotr
CODE: SELECT ALL Level 19

inxi -Fxz
Posts: 9139
Joined: Mon Mar 07,
2011 10:18 am
(if you type: the letter F is a capital letter) Location: The
Netherlands (Holland)
Contact:
Press Enter.

Copy/paste the output in your next message.

Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia

Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 11:30 am
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
thanks Pjotr for response... here is the output... 2014 4:18 pm

CODE: SELECT ALL

inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $ inxi -Fxz

System:    Host: DELL-INSPIRON-3543 Kernel: 3.13.0-37-generic
x86_64 (64 bit, gcc: 4.8.2)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.11.8 (Gtk 2.24.23) Distro: Linux
Mint 17.1 Rebecca
Machine:   System: Dell (portable) product: Inspiron 3543
version: A03
           Mobo: Dell model: 0X4RD7 version: A00 Bios: Dell
version: A03 date: 02/04/2015
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5-5200U CPU (-HT-MCP-) cache:
3072 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx)
bmips: 8779.28
           Clock Speeds: 1: 500.00 MHz 2: 500.00 MHz 3: 500.00
MHz 4: 2200.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Broadwell-U Integrated Graphics bus-ID:
00:02.0
           X.Org: 1.15.1 driver: intel Resolution:
1366x768@60.0hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Broadwell GLX Version:
3.0 Mesa 10.1.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1: Intel Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio
Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Card-2: Intel Broadwell-U Audio Controller driver:
snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:03.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver:
k3.13.0-37-generic
Network:   Card-1: Realtek RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast
Ethernet controller
           driver: r8169 ver: 2.3LK-NAPI port: e000 bus-ID:
07:00.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Broadcom BCM43142 802.11b/g/n driver: wl
bus-ID: 06:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>

3 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

Drives:    HDD Total Size: 1000.2GB (1.1% used) 1: id: /dev/sda

model: ST1000LM024_HN size: 1000.2GB
Partition: ID: / size: 48G used: 10G (22%) fs: ext4 ID: swap-1
size: 8.10GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap
RAID:      No RAID devices detected - /proc/mdstat and md_mod
kernel raid module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 48.0C mobo: 27.8C
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 179 Uptime: 1:09 Memory: 799.3/7897.2MB
Runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.8.2 Client: Shell inxi: 1.8.4
inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $

Re: Brightness control function keys not

working Linux Mint
by Pjotr » Sat May 09, 2015 11:39 am

Your hardware is very new; probably a bit too new for the 3.13 kernel series.
So I advise to install the latest kernel from the 3.16 series, which you can do
like this:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... el-updates Pjotr
(item 3, right column) Level 19

Posts: 9139
After installation, reboot. Does that help? Joined: Mon Mar 07,
2011 10:18 am
Last edited by Pjotr on Thu May 28, 2015 4:53 am, edited 1 time in total. Location: The
Netherlands (Holland)
Contact:
Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia
Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 11:46 am
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
2014 4:18 pm
Pjotr wrote:
Your hardware is very new; probably a bit too new for the 3.13 kernel series.
So I advise to install the latest kernel from the 3.16 series, which you can do
like this:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... el-updates
(item 1.2.3, left column)

After installation, reboot. Does that help?

Thanks for quick reply, I will try as you suggested, never done this before
but there's always a first time.

Quick question, should I delete the file I created previously before I do

install latest kernel ...
is this the correct syntax?
CODE: SELECT ALL

$ rm /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf

Re: Brightness control function keys not

4 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

working Linux Mint

by Pjotr » Sat May 09, 2015 11:48 am

hughparker1 wrote:
Quick question, should I delete the file I created previously before I do install
latest kernel ... Pjotr
Level 19
is this the correct syntax?
CODE: SELECT ALL
Posts: 9139
Joined: Mon Mar 07,
$ rm /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf
2011 10:18 am
Location: The
Netherlands (Holland)
Contact:
Well, I'd rather move it to another location where it can do no harm; then
you can always undo if needed. So you might simply move it to the root
folder like this:
CODE: SELECT ALL

sudo mv -v /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf /

Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia

Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense.

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 11:58 am
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
thanks again, I did the move. 2014 4:18 pm

I have opened Update Manager. In the toolbar of Update Manager and now
View - Linux kernels

I see following....

3.16.0-25
3.16.0-26
3.16.0-28
3.16.0-29
3.16.0-30
3.16.0-31
3.16.0-33
3.16.0-34
3.16.0-36
3.16.0-37

which one should I chose? start with 3.16.0-25 and work upwards or go
straight to 3.16.0-37 ?

I appreciate your help on this, thanks.

Hugh

Re: Brightness control function keys not

working Linux Mint

5 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

by Pjotr » Sat May 09, 2015 11:59 am

Go straight for 3.16.0-37.

Pjotr
Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia Level 19
Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips Posts: 9139
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense. Joined: Mon Mar 07,
2011 10:18 am
Location: The
Netherlands (Holland)
Contact:

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 12:10 pm
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
2014 4:18 pm
Pjotr wrote:
Go straight for 3.16.0-37.

Would you believe it, it WORKED! I'm very pleased about that. So thanks
for giving me a the benefit of your knowledge. I now don't have sore eyes
looking at my screen and also I know how to upgrade my kernel. I'm learning
something new every day.

Thank you very much

Best Regards, Hugh

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint
by hughparker1 » Sat May 09, 2015 12:19 pm
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
One last question, I hope you don't mind, it's not related to Linux Mint. 2014 4:18 pm

I now have dual boot Linux Mint and Windows 8.1 on an UEFI laptop with
secure boot.

I intend to put OpenELEC on another two partitions, one for OE_SYSTEM and
other for OE_DATA. I will roughly follow the instructions here
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=114846 as I have done this triple
boot successfully before with an older windows 7 laptop but not with
windows 8.1 and uefi/secure boot restrictions.

Do you know if I will be able to run OpenELEC with uefi/secure boot ? or

point me in the right direction?

thanks

Hugh

Re: Brightness control function keys not hughparker1

Level 2

6 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

working Linux Mint

by hughparker1 » Mon May 11, 2015 9:44 am Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
2014 4:18 pm
Pjotr wrote:
Go straight for 3.16.0-37.

I managed to get brightness controls working by updating the kernel to

latest. However the system doesn't remember the brightness level on next
reboot, it is always set to maximum.

I noticed there are two files ...

CODE: SELECT ALL

inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $ ls /sys/class/backlight/
intel_backlight
inspiron@DELL-INSPIRON-3543 ~ $

/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/actual_brightness
and
/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/brightness

... they each contain the same number, and both values change when
brightness level is changed, the values on my laptop are...

937 # max brightness

751
565 # good brightness setting
379 # good brightness setting
193
7 # min brightness

Is it safe to modify one or both of these files to set the brightness level on
next reboot?

I am still learning linux and don't want to break my system.

Any help would be appreciated.

regards,

Hugh

Re: [SOLVED] Brightness control not

working Linux Mint 17.1
by Pjotr » Mon May 11, 2015 10:13 am

Well, it's only a minor inconvenience of course, but you can probably fix that
with the help of xbacklight:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... xbacklight
(item 6.3, right column) Pjotr
Level 19

Tip: 10 things to do after installing Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia

7 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

Keep your Linux Mint healthy: Avoid these 10 fatal mistakes Posts: 9139
Joined: Mon Mar 07,
Twitter: twitter.com/easylinuxtips
2011 10:18 am
All in all, horse sense simply makes sense. Location: The
Netherlands (Holland)
Contact:

Re: [SOLVED] Brightness control not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint 17.1
by hughparker1 » Tue May 12, 2015 6:10 am
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
2014 4:18 pm
Pjotr wrote:
Well, it's only a minor inconvenience of course, but you can probably fix that
with the help of xbacklight:
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... xbacklight
(item 6.3, right column)

Thanks again for reply. I know it's not a major problem but the screen
brightness is just too bright and having it set to a more comfortable level is
very convenient. I will try this and see if it solves the problem.

I also saw this solution ....

http://www.hecticgeek.com/2012/09/ubuntu-12-04-resetting-your-displays-
brightness-levels-fix/

... it suggests a edit of /etc/rc.local

CODE: SELECT ALL

gksudo gedit /etc/rc.local

by adding this line....

CODE: SELECT ALL

echo 12 > /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness

however I have two files instead of one, each contains same number
representing the level of brightness, these are ....

CODE: SELECT ALL

/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/brightness

/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/max_brightness

... I wondered if I would need to add a line for each file, and also if you
thought this solution was as good or better than the xbacklight solution.

regards,

8 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

Hugh

Re: [SOLVED] Brightness control not JeremyB

Level 17
working Linux Mint 17.1
by JeremyB » Tue May 12, 2015 6:14 am
Posts: 7632
Joined: Fri Feb 21,
2014 8:17 am

Thanks again for reply. I know it's not a major problem but the screen
brightness is just too bright and having it set to a more comfortable level is
very convenient. I will try this and see if it solves the problem.

I also saw this solution ....

http://www.hecticgeek.com/2012/09/ubuntu-12-04-resetting-your-displays-
brightness-levels-fix/

... it suggests a edit of /etc/rc.local

CODE: SELECT ALL

gksudo gedit /etc/rc.local

by adding this line....

CODE: SELECT ALL

echo 12 > /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness

however I have two files instead of one, each contains same number
representing the level of brightness, these are ....

CODE: SELECT ALL

/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/brightness

/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/max_brightness

... I wondered if I would need to add a line for each file, and also if you
thought this solution was as good or better than the xbacklight solution.

regards,

Hugh

I would edit rc.local and use

CODE: SELECT ALL

echo 379 > /sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/brightness

9 of 10 1/5/18, 4:36 PM
[SOLVED] Brightness control not working Linux... https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=...

And see if it is the correct brightness level after a reboot

Re: [SOLVED] Brightness control not hughparker1

Level 2
working Linux Mint 17.1
by hughparker1 » Thu May 14, 2015 12:32 pm
Posts: 72
Joined: Wed Oct 01,
Thanks for your help, I did this and it worked fine. 2014 4:18 pm

Best Regards, Hugh

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