Backlight key presses not detected, OPTIMUS, wiki didn't help

Question

I am using a Razer Blade 14" with linux-ck kernel (although I have tested in the main kernel and the issue remains).
The keyboard brightness settings keys are not detected by X at all (using xev reports no keycodes when I press them).
However, the driver is getting that information. And in the same type as other function keys (such as sound up/down - which are detected correctly).
I know this because, while investigating the workings of the touchpad, I ran the razer-test script found in:
http://fxchip.net/RazerBlade/
(slightly modified because the device ID is 0x011D in the 14").
It distinguishes normal key presses from Macro Keys. Function keys in this laptop are macro keys. When pressing volume down, I get the following report:
Macro keys: Razer Extra Buttons:
  Extra key: FN
04 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Macro keys: 02 ea 00 00
Macro keys: 02 00 00 00
Macro keys: Razer Extra Buttons:
04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
When pressing brightness up/down, I get the following report:
04 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Macro keys: 02 70 00 00
Macro keys: 02 00 00 00
Macro keys: 02 6f 00 00
Macro keys: 02 00 00 00
Macro keys: Razer Extra Buttons:
04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
(note that the last part just signals that I let go of the FN key)
My idea was to try to find the keycodes through xev and then map them manually. However, this was unsuccessful since xev reports no input when I press brightness up/down (while volume up/down works).
This is where I'm lost - the keyboard drivers seems to just be ignoring them.
Any help appreciated . Let me know what I can post if it's of any help!
Cheers,
Rodrigo
EDIT:
My laptop uses optimus hardware, and I'm using the integrated Intel Graphics card.
I have tried all the methods in the wiki but none of them worked:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/backlight#Overview
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … ter_resume.
It's also worth noting that I do have control over the backlight with software - the FN+F8/F9 key bindings are the ones that are just completely ignored by the driver.
Last edited by rgomes (2013-11-22 18:47:57)

Answer 1

maxo wrote:
Hey. If you aren't using the nvidia graphics card then this works on mine.
Edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf by adding
Option "Backlight" "intel_backlight"
Xorg normally automatically selects the backlight device. On mine it ued acpi_video0 instead of intel_backlight.
Hope that helps!
Thanks, but the challenge is, to get nvidia prop. drivers working.
I think, I tracked the problem down to some backlight issue, probably a firmware issue with the laptop model.
On ubunutu, ideapad backlight modules gets loaded, on arch, it uses the intel-bl. As it stands to reason, backlight settings are too dim when starting X.
I am about to test nvidia-bl from AUR.