Backlight doesn't work with latest Maverick kernel

[DervishD]

Hi

Latest Maverick kernel, namely 2.6.35-24, prevents backlight control to work in my N150+ Samsung netbook.
I've manually modprobe'd the modules with debug=1 but I haven't noticed anything weird :?

To date, I've been using the modules installed with voRia kernels with latest Ubuntu kernels without problems.

Should I wait for the next voRia kernel or is there anything I can do to fix the issue? Right now I'm just booting with the voRia kernel, ignoring the kernel update.

Thanks!

Raúl

[Lolo]

I have exactly the same problem for over a week on my N210 and the screen is now bleak.
Voria thank you if you could do something for us

[Ain]

Same problem for me.
No one of my attempts worked to solve so I just boot with the previous kernel.

[Drake]

Same problem on NF310.

[Steph]

Same problem on N220 and N150

Regards

[Drake]

Just filed a bug report: https://bugs.launchpad.net/samsung-tools/+bug/693071
Did anybody discover source code for building samsung-backlight?

[Drake]

Adding

Code: Select all

acpi_backlight=vendor

to the kernel's parameter list in your bootloader should do the trick.
For some reason, in 2.6.35-24 the ACPI driver starts feeling responsible for controlling the backlight.

In case of trouble when updating the kernel, backlight can also be controlled by manually writing numbers (0-7) to /sys/class/backlight/samsung/brightness (you may have to save several times to reach your target level of brightness).

[Lolo]

Adding

Code: Select all

acpi_backlight=vendor

to the kernel's parameter list in your bootloader should do the trick.
For some reason, in 2.6.35-24 the ACPI driver starts feeling responsible for controlling the backlight.

In case of trouble when updating the kernel, backlight can also be controlled by manually writing numbers (0-7) to /sys/class/backlight/samsung/brightness (you may have to save several times to reach your target level of brightness).

you know, for many peoples, it's more easy to install Windows !

[Drake]

I'm slightly aware of this fact.
Nevertheless, it might help some fanatic open source lover and Windows hater (I was told that Linux users sometimes match this character).

[Lolo]

sometimes yes .... but they are fewer and fewer

[eth1cal]

Many many thanks Drake : ) works like a charm!

Here's how you change the kernel parameters. I am running Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook Edition on Samsung N210, so my bootloader is GRUB2.

Open the terminal...

1) Type "sudo nano /etc/default/grub" (replace nano with your favourite text editor, if needed)
2) Add "acpi_backlight=vendor" to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT parameters, so that...

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"

...or something similar becomes...

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet acpi_backlight=vendor"

3) Close nano (CTRL+X) and save changes (Y)
4) Type "sudo update-grub2"
5) Type "sudo reboot"

In case you still have GRUB bootloader (instead of GRUB2), I believe you have to add "acpi_backlight=vendor" to /boot/grub/menu.lst, but unfortunately I don't have any system running with GRUB anywhere near, so I am unable to give you the full how-to. Google knows, I'm sure.

[Lolo]

Thank you Drake and eth1cal for your "how to"...

but it doesn't work for me (N210 & classical ubuntu 10.10)
I will wait for again for few days and maybe make a downgrade toward ubuntu 10.04 LTS

[Drake]

Try setting it manually:
1) Type

Code: Select all

sudo nano /sys/class/backlight/samsung/brightness

=> The file should contain a single number (0-7).
2) Type a small number (replacing the old one), e.g. "1" and save several times (CTRL+O, ENTER).
=> Your screen should lower the brightness step by step.

Posting the output of the following command may also help to analyse your specific problem:

Code: Select all

ls /sys/class/backlight

Before wearing sun glasses, try adjusting the brightness at the GRUB screen.

[Lolo]

At the same time, an update of Voria's deposits, has changed for the maximum luminosity (and it's better for me for now)

As you suggest, I can manually adjust the brightness lower step by step without any problems.

And here is the result of the code required:
acpi_video0 samsung


EDIT : I tried the eth1cal's method again and after the reboot, it works perfectly now, so a big thank you both for your help and your patience !

[Drake]

The presence of the "acpi_video0" directory is a strong indication of the ACPI driver problem solved by the fix mentioned above. After adding "acpi_backlight=vendor" to your kernel's paramter list it must not (well, it should not) exist.
You might want to check if applying the parameter was successful by running

Code: Select all

sudo dmesg | grep acpi_backlight

Output should look like

Code: Select all

[0.000000] Command Line: ... quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor
[0.000000] Kernel command line: ... quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor

If there is no output, the parameter was not applied successfully. You may want to check the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT string, rerun update-grub2 and reboot first.
If there is an output... well, one step at a time. Feel free to post it.

EDIT: I am glad to read about your success.