F6 broken, how do I bring the backlighting back up on my screen?

1602 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by hwm54112, Dec 15, 2006

paul321

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2006

I have an Asus M2N laptop, and it seems that after various mishaps, the F6 key, which along with the Fn key is used to control screen brightness, has ceased to work. I found this out by fiddling with that key and the F5 key, and having the screen reach maximum dimness, basically almost complete darkness, and finding out I couldn't bring it back up again. Is there some way I can bring the screen brightness, or backlighting or whatever it is that's controlled by Fn-F6, back up again so the computer is usable once more?

I can't seem to get at the motherboard to reset the BIOS settings (which I have the impression might fix this). I can just barely make out things on the screen by putting it in close, direct light, so I may be able to do some manipulations on there if there is something to be done.

I don't really care about being able to fiddle with the brightness, I can replace the keyboard later, but I'm really just wanting to get the damn thing working again right away!

Help!
thanks

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TheMatt

· #2 · Dec 12, 2006

I know in Acer, you have a utility in Windows to control the brightness. Is there an ASUS configuration utility? Your manual would probably have this info.

I'm not sure that reseting the BIOS would fix this. It is worth a shot. Try unplugging the laptop, pulling out the battery, and leaving it out for at least 1/2 hour. That will usually reset it.

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paul321

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 14, 2006

In the program list there's a utility called "Asus ATK0100 ACPI Utility" that could have been it, and which apparently mediates the function keys that control brightness, but there doesn't seem to be any user interface, listing in the Startup menu or in Program Files. I uninstalled and reinstalled it, but no dice. I tried removing the battery for a long time, and I also found a little pinhole slot that I was told would reset BIOS and did that, but no luck.

Any other suggestions?
thanks

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TheMatt

· #4 · Dec 14, 2006

Next check the manual, it will probably mention different ways to adjust the brightness. Other than that, I'm stumped. Hopefully some of the other members will jump in.

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95five-0

· #5 · Dec 15, 2006

Have you tried the on screen keyboard? It might be worth a shot. Just goto start > all programs > accessories > accessibility > on screen keyboard.

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hwm54112

· #6 · Dec 15, 2006

You might try removing the Fn and F6 keys and do a thorough cleaning. it's hard to say what you'll find under there as far as electrical contacts, springs and the like as you don't really know if the Fn key changes software signals/interpretations or actually changes hardware functionality electrically. 95's suggestion may provide an answer to that

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