[ellemenope]

I've begun to notice some quirks with the screen brightness after reboots/logging out.

Often time the screen will start up very dim, but upon changing the brightness via fn+9, will increases immediately (ie: according fn+9 the brightness is NOT at its lowest setting, but only upon invoking the menu will it change to the proper brightness).

I've seen the same problem provoked by a log-off, so that the log-in screen is dimmed and so is the desktop upon entering username/password. Like above this usually remedies itself, but not always. Sometimes the brightness stays very dim, even though the menu says it is max. I can increase/decrease the brightness from min to max without the actually screen changing any... rebooting fixes the problem.

Looking around I saw people referencing a brightness bug in Ubuntu that was fixed with a new BIOS download, but they also mentioning to be careful flashing as some people have bricked their computers. I don't know how to install a new BIOS (does it affect my current settings/files?), nor do I particularly feel the need to do so if there is another solution.

Comments, suggestions?

[ellemenope]

I've come to notice that this is a cyclical thing that happens every second log-off. So if I log-off and the log-in screen is dimmed (ie: brightness controls don't work, stuck at minimum brightness), the next time I log-off an account it will fix itself (revert to regular brightness).

[ytsejam1138]

BIOS A03 fixes the brightness issues in Ubuntu. Check out this thread for more info: bios-upgrade-utility-split-from-bios-upgrade-failure-topic--t1063.html

[ellemenope]

The upgrade fixed my brightness issues, all the info is in the other thread, but I'll put a little walk through here for those who need it (like me).

Download the file from the other thread (http://stashbox.org/browse.php?q=flashBIOS) onto a Windows machine (you need to be able to run the .exe)
Plug in your USB drive (use a blank one, or back up the contents as they will be erased), the other thread says only 4GB and less work (mine was 4 GB).
Run the .exe file, wait for USB to be formated, then close program and eject stick.
Plug the USB into your Mini. You'll notice that the computer won't automatically boot from the USB drive (or at least it didn't for me). In order to get your Mini to boot from the USB drive, you need to hit 2 (setup) at the Dell screen on bootup. Right arrow to the "Boot" tab and then use the F5/F6 keys to move the USB item to the top of the list. Then save and exit with F10.
The computer should then continue booting from the USB stick. You'll be prompted to chose the BIOS you would like to upgrade to - to fix brightness issues I used A03.
After its finished upgrading the BIOS, the computer will shutdown. Before you can continue using your Mini as normal you have to change the boot order back to the way it was initially. To do this press 2 again at the Dell logo, right-arrow to the "Boot" tab and bring HD back to the top of the list. Save and exit with F10.

Voila! You now have BIOS A03 installed. Reformat your USB stick (I used the default Window's utility; right click in windows > format) and do whatever you were doing with it before (don't forget to copy your files from the backup).

[somms]

Thanks for posting back positive results with step by step instructions! :P

Couldn't have explained the procedure better myself and glad it worked for ya!

[tjfreemanjr]

is there anything else in A03 worth noting? I'm not having any issues at the moment (other than not needing the 2GB RAM upgrade I did when my mini came in). I wish I would have bought the bigger drive and stayed with the 1GB RAM. I know it's easily correctable...

[ellemenope]

Originally Posted by tjfreemanjr

is there anything else in A03 worth noting? I'm not having any issues at the moment (other than not needing the 2GB RAM upgrade I did when my mini came in). I wish I would have bought the bigger drive and stayed with the 1GB RAM. I know it's easily correctable...

From what I can gather from other threads:

- improved wireless capabilities:

WAS having the exact same problem with mine...very slow to notice access points. I just flashed to bios A03 using somms utility (link below) and not only is the speed problem fixed, I'm seeing quite a few more access points that I wasn't seeing previously.

- adds F11 and F12 functionality:

Bios A02 has the F11 and F12 in it too.....

FN+Z is F11, FN+X is F12

Obviously if you don't need F11/12 and aren't experiencing any issues there doesn't seem to be a need to update unless you want the "latest and greatest"

[ellemenope]

I just realized I can't dim the brightness anymore. I just installed compiz settings manager and was trying it out, but even with it turned off the brightness controls have no affect. Fn + 9/0 bring up the brightness meter which does change, but the screen is stuck on what seems to be the highest brightness level (if I had to guess). It may have been stuck since flashing to A03, I don't remember if I checked to see if the controls were working, or just that it didn't dim on logging out/in. Grrr, very bright moniter in a dark room, is there any other way to change the brightness (terminal command perhaps)?

[dblank]

Originally Posted by ellemenope

is there any other way to change the brightness (terminal command perhaps)?

Here's one way to adjust via a terminal:
echo num | sudo tee /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness

where "num" is a number between 1 and 15 (1 being lowest brightness, 15 highest)

[rifferte]

somms and ellemenope:

THANK YOU!!!

Your flash and instructions worked seamlessly.