I have a Sony Vaio PCG-F520 which had Win98SE factory-installed. I have since removed Win98 and installed Win2000. All is well except I cannot find a way to adjust the screen brightness and contrast (this was done using a hotkey under win98).
Has anyone experienced a similar problem on the Vaio? Is there any known cure?
I know that my Toshiba has some utilities avalible at their tech support web page that provide the interface for the fn keys (and other hot keys as well as the power management and some other Toshiba junk). I would guess that you could probably find something similar availible for download from Sony's site if you look around. this might take a phone call, too. good luck!
I'm having a similar problem. I purchased a Sony Vaio with Windows XP installed, and my fn key doesn't work at all. Is there some sort of override for this, because it's quite frustrating, as the brightness is very low.
I purchased a used PCG-FX340, and I have a year warranty with the used Laptop store I purchased it from, but I have no idea about the original warranty. As for contacting Sony Support, I have no idea how to do that. This is my first laptop. I'm pretty good with desktops, but this has me baffled.
According to the FAQ on Sony's site for your model, it appears that you may need to re-enable or reload the software that enables the hotkeys:
The special buttons, function keys or hotkeys on the computer or keyboard do not operate properly in the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.
Follow this procedure to enable the special buttons or function keys on the computer or keyboard in the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.
IMPORTANT:
If software has been installed for use with a third-party keyboard or mouse, uninstall the software to ensure there are no conflicts.
On AMD™ or Transmeta™ processor-based computers, the function keys are hardware controlled and not controlled by a hot-key utility.
NOTES:
The volume button, brightness key, and disc eject button on some computers will not work if the HotKey Utility application is not running.
The Magnify button and the Fn keys will not function properly before the operating system has finished starting.
The setting may not be saved if the ESC key is used to close the Fn display. Press the ENTER key or allow the Fn display to close automatically to save the setting.
Click the Start button, then click Run.
In the Run window, next to Open, type MSCONFIG.
Press the ENTER key.
In the System Configuration Utility window, click the Startup tab.
On the Startup tab, under Startup Item, ensure that there is a check in the HKserv checkbox.NOTE: If HKserv is missing, reinstall the HotKey Utility application and the Sony Utilities Library.
Click the OK button.
In the System Configuration box, click the restart button.
i had the same problem and it took me really a long time to find out what is wrong (hotkeys!) and then how to get my hotkeys working again. now i solved this problem and if anyone has similar problems, here is the solution:
click on original drivers and software and put in your model number. my model of vaio (VGNA215M) was made exclusively for europe so i couldn't continue here but you will maybe be able to. i heard there are two files you need - one of them is sony shared library, the other is sony notebook utilities. The hotkeys should be working after installing the utilities, but you can't install them unless you already have the library on your computer.
however, if it doesn't work that way, go to http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/flash/hub_cons.html, chose your country and click on Drivers and utilities. then chose Originally installed and identify your computer. what you have to do at last: click the Original Utilities Package and install it. it worked for me, it should work for you too
Sony Vaio - brightness/contrast control
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