Linux backlight driver - Page 3

damdim · 02-08-10, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keptile

To make the Fn keys to work, Ubuntu loads the sony-laptop module. When nvidia_bl is also loaded, then lshal shows two backlight devices in /sys/devices/virtual/backlight, which are sony and nvidia_backlight. Fn-F5, Fn-F6 keys, gnome-power-preferences and gnome-brightness applet actually work but they all change /sys/class/backlight/sony/brightness.

As a workaround, I use a slightly modified version of the script at
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...39/comments/26. Then I added two files into /etc/acpi/events to map Fn-F5 and Fn-F6 keys to change the brightness using that script.

Using xev I also see that Fn keys work when sony-laptop is loaded, but they control sony backlight instead of nvidia_backlight interface. I can even map them to various actions in kde, although there isn't any for controlling brightness. I read somewhere that KDE SC 4.4 might have these actions, but for now I also have to use your scripts...
Could you paste the code of these scripts, and how you mapped them with Fn keys?
Thanks.

keptile · 02-08-10, 01:23 PM

I am attaching the scripts.

chbrn is a script that gets and sets the brightness, put it somewhere in your $PATH.
sony-brightness-up and sony-brightness-down go to /etc/acpi/events. Run acpi_listen in terminal, and get the events when you press Fn-F5 and Fn-F6. Edit those files to match the events. Since your laptop is also Sony, I believe they will be the same.
sony-brn-down and sony-brn-up go to /etc/acpi. Change the brightness levels as you like. I set 8 levels, as there are 8 brightness levels of the laptop.

alberto80 · 02-09-10, 06:26 AM

Hi keptile! and Hi all!
It seems you found a solution to control the brightness on sony vaio CW, isn't it? may you summarise what to do in some simple passage for the sony vaio cw series? I found many people looking for it.
Thanks a lot.
Alberto

hrh · 02-09-10, 03:20 PM

Hello Please Help me to fix brightness on vaio cw16fg with geforce 230.

thank you

damdim · 02-10-10, 08:23 AM

Here are the steps summarized for the people asking:

1. Install dkms. f.e. in Ubuntu run

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install dkms

2. Download "nvidia_bl-0.52.tar.gz", created by guillaumezin, from the first post of the thread and run the following command in the folder you've saved it.

Code:

sudo dkms ldtarball --archive=nvidia_bl-0.52.tar.gz

3. Go to http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree8...ppendix-a.html and find your card and note the Device PCI ID f.e. GeForce GT 230M has Device PCI ID "0x0A2A"

4. Edit as root the file "/usr/src/nvidia_bl-0.52/nvidia_bl.c" and in the section "static DEFINE_PCI_DEVICE_TABLE(nvidia_bl_device_table)" add the corresponding line for your card f.e. for GeForce GT 230M the following line has to be added.

Code:

/* NVIDIA Geforce 230M */
	{ PCI_VDEVICE(NVIDIA, 0x0A2A), (kernel_ulong_t)&nv5x_driver_data },

5. Save the file and run

Code:

sudo dkms add build install -m nvidia_bl -v 0.52

6. Run

Code:

sudo modprobe nvidia_bl

to load the module. It should not complain that it didn't find a supported chip.

7. Run

Code:

cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

It should return a number that is your current brightness.

8. Run

Code:

echo 50 | sudo tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

It should darken your screen.

9. Edit as root the file "/etc/modules" and add the line "nvidia_bl" so that the module is loaded every time you boot.

10. If you use KDE4 then with the Powerdevil applet you should be able to control the brightness.
If not make sure that you sony-laptop module is loaded. Run

Code:

lsmod | grep sony

and if it doesn't return "sony-laptop" run

Code:

sudo modprobe sony-laptop

and follow the steps from keptile's post to control the brightness with Fn keys.
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/show...8&postcount=26

reddemon666 · 02-12-10, 07:46 PM

Hi damdim,

I've got the same laptop Sony VPCCW1

I followed the steps you mentioned exactly, but when I try

Code:

echo 50 | sudo tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

as you mentioned, the brightness does not change.

I've even tried removing and recompiling the nvidia_bl module, but it still has no effect.

Please help!

damdim · 02-13-10, 06:36 AM

When you execute

Code:

cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

what number is returned?

What distribution do you use? Perhaps you don't have sudo installed, so you need this command instead

Code:

su -c "echo 50 | tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness"

You can also test the brightness with the following command. Run it as normal user, not root.

Code:

dbus-send --print-reply --system --dest=org.freedesktop.Hal  /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer_backlight org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.LaptopPanel.SetBrightness  int32:50

P.S. You can try lower values than 50

reddemon666 · 02-14-10, 04:43 PM

Hey damdim,

Thanks for the quick reply. In the meantime, I had updated my drivers from nvidia version 190 to 195, and recompiled the nvidia_bl module, I'm not sure if that helped in any way, but I managed to get the brightness working using your suggestion of using different values of brightness, so far without the Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 keys. My brightness levels range from 0 to 10.

I am using Ubuntu Karmic x64. The number that is returned after initially executing

Code:

cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness

is 127.

I then tried

Code:

dbus-send --print-reply --system --dest=org.freedesktop.Hal  /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer_backlight org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.LaptopPanel.SetBrightness  int32:0

and it dimmed the display to the lowest level

I also tried keptile's suggestions as you mentioned in your previous post, and when I enter

Code:

chbrn 0

it does the same, and dims the display to the lowest level, as well as to other brightness levels by trying different values using the range 0 to 10.

The Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 keys don't work.
I even tried to change the levels in the sony-brn-down and sony-brn-up scripts provided by keptile, but I had no luck.
I check the events using acpi_listen, and they are correct for the sony-brightness-up and sony-brightness-down scripts

Do you or keptile have any suggestions I can try?

Thanks for the help so far

hrh · 02-15-10, 12:11 AM

I have the nvidia 190.53 version and no luck!
where did you find 195 version ? the official site have 190.53 as latest version!

reddemon666 · 02-15-10, 03:53 AM

Hi hrh,

yes,you're right, the official site has Nvidia version 190.53.
I first installed it using:

Code:

sudo apt-get purge nvidia-glx-190
sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx-195

before removing it again, and using the Ubuntu route in the System >> Administration >> Hardware drivers menu.

hrh · 02-19-10, 09:59 PM

i Installed 195 but no luck
nvidia_bl module is running and every thing is OK except the finish
it didn't dim my back light
what is the problem?

damdim · 02-20-10, 03:30 AM

A small update for the double backlight interface problem. It is possible to blacklist the sony one and keep sony-laptop module running. I found the solution to this post:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...77&postcount=8
Create the file /etc/hal/fdi/preprobe/sony.fdi and paste the following text

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<deviceinfo version="0.2">

<device>
<!-- Ignore backlight interface created by sony_laptop
-->
<match key="linux.sysfs_path" string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony">
<merge key="info.ignore" type="bool">true</merge>
</match>
</device>
</deviceinfo>

Edit the string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony" to match your system. You can find it with lshal.
After you restart hal if you lshal you should see that the "linux.sysfs_path" string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony" is registered to a temp interface. After that gnome-power-manager can control the backlight of the vaio. Although kde4 powerdevil still cannot with the Fn keys.

02-09-10, 06:26 AM	#27
alberto80 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1	Re: Linux backlight driver Hi keptile! and Hi all! It seems you found a solution to control the brightness on sony vaio CW, isn't it? may you summarise what to do in some simple passage for the sony vaio cw series? I found many people looking for it. Thanks a lot. Alberto

02-09-10, 03:20 PM	#28
hrh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: Linux backlight driver Hello Please Help me to fix brightness on vaio cw16fg with geforce 230. thank you

02-10-10, 08:23 AM	#29
damdim Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 21	Re: Linux backlight driver Here are the steps summarized for the people asking: 1. Install dkms. f.e. in Ubuntu run Code: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install dkms 2. Download "nvidia_bl-0.52.tar.gz", created by guillaumezin, from the first post of the thread and run the following command in the folder you've saved it. Code: sudo dkms ldtarball --archive=nvidia_bl-0.52.tar.gz 3. Go to http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree8...ppendix-a.html and find your card and note the Device PCI ID f.e. GeForce GT 230M has Device PCI ID "0x0A2A" 4. Edit as root the file "/usr/src/nvidia_bl-0.52/nvidia_bl.c" and in the section "static DEFINE_PCI_DEVICE_TABLE(nvidia_bl_device_table)" add the corresponding line for your card f.e. for GeForce GT 230M the following line has to be added. Code: /* NVIDIA Geforce 230M */ { PCI_VDEVICE(NVIDIA, 0x0A2A), (kernel_ulong_t)&nv5x_driver_data }, 5. Save the file and run Code: sudo dkms add build install -m nvidia_bl -v 0.52 6. Run Code: sudo modprobe nvidia_bl to load the module. It should not complain that it didn't find a supported chip. 7. Run Code: cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness It should return a number that is your current brightness. 8. Run Code: echo 50 \| sudo tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness It should darken your screen. 9. Edit as root the file "/etc/modules" and add the line "nvidia_bl" so that the module is loaded every time you boot. 10. If you use KDE4 then with the Powerdevil applet you should be able to control the brightness. If not make sure that you sony-laptop module is loaded. Run Code: lsmod \| grep sony and if it doesn't return "sony-laptop" run Code: sudo modprobe sony-laptop and follow the steps from keptile's post to control the brightness with Fn keys. http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/show...8&postcount=26

02-12-10, 07:46 PM	#30
reddemon666 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Linux backlight driver Hi damdim, I've got the same laptop Sony VPCCW1 I followed the steps you mentioned exactly, but when I try Code: echo 50 \| sudo tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness as you mentioned, the brightness does not change. I've even tried removing and recompiling the nvidia_bl module, but it still has no effect. Please help!

02-13-10, 06:36 AM	#31
damdim Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 21	Re: Linux backlight driver When you execute Code: cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness what number is returned? What distribution do you use? Perhaps you don't have sudo installed, so you need this command instead Code: su -c "echo 50 \| tee -a /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness" You can also test the brightness with the following command. Run it as normal user, not root. Code: dbus-send --print-reply --system --dest=org.freedesktop.Hal /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer_backlight org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.LaptopPanel.SetBrightness int32:50 P.S. You can try lower values than 50

02-14-10, 04:43 PM	#32
reddemon666 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Linux backlight driver Hey damdim, Thanks for the quick reply. In the meantime, I had updated my drivers from nvidia version 190 to 195, and recompiled the nvidia_bl module, I'm not sure if that helped in any way, but I managed to get the brightness working using your suggestion of using different values of brightness, so far without the Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 keys. My brightness levels range from 0 to 10. I am using Ubuntu Karmic x64. The number that is returned after initially executing Code: cat /sys/class/backlight/nvidia_backlight/brightness is 127. I then tried Code: dbus-send --print-reply --system --dest=org.freedesktop.Hal /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer_backlight org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.LaptopPanel.SetBrightness int32:0 and it dimmed the display to the lowest level I also tried keptile's suggestions as you mentioned in your previous post, and when I enter Code: chbrn 0 it does the same, and dims the display to the lowest level, as well as to other brightness levels by trying different values using the range 0 to 10. The Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 keys don't work. I even tried to change the levels in the sony-brn-down and sony-brn-up scripts provided by keptile, but I had no luck. I check the events using acpi_listen, and they are correct for the sony-brightness-up and sony-brightness-down scripts Do you or keptile have any suggestions I can try? Thanks for the help so far

02-15-10, 12:11 AM	#33
hrh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: Linux backlight driver I have the nvidia 190.53 version and no luck! where did you find 195 version ? the official site have 190.53 as latest version!

02-15-10, 03:53 AM	#34
reddemon666 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Linux backlight driver Hi hrh, yes,you're right, the official site has Nvidia version 190.53. I first installed it using: Code: sudo apt-get purge nvidia-glx-190 sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx-195 before removing it again, and using the Ubuntu route in the System >> Administration >> Hardware drivers menu.

02-19-10, 09:59 PM	#35
hrh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 6	Re: Linux backlight driver i Installed 195 but no luck nvidia_bl module is running and every thing is OK except the finish it didn't dim my back light what is the problem?

02-20-10, 03:30 AM	#36
damdim Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 21	Re: Linux backlight driver A small update for the double backlight interface problem. It is possible to blacklist the sony one and keep sony-laptop module running. I found the solution to this post: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...77&postcount=8 Create the file /etc/hal/fdi/preprobe/sony.fdi and paste the following text Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <deviceinfo version="0.2"> <device> <!-- Ignore backlight interface created by sony_laptop --> <match key="linux.sysfs_path" string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony"> <merge key="info.ignore" type="bool">true</merge> </match> </device> </deviceinfo> Edit the string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony" to match your system. You can find it with lshal. After you restart hal if you lshal you should see that the "linux.sysfs_path" string="/sys/devices/virtual/backlight/sony" is registered to a temp interface. After that gnome-power-manager can control the backlight of the vaio. Although kde4 powerdevil still cannot with the Fn keys.