Description of problem: It is impossible to dim backlight UNLESS a patched DSDT is loaded at boot time. Then all is well. The full details, including work-around, were documented by an Ubuntu user here http://vaioubuntu.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/finally-a-brightness-how-to-for-vaio-fw-series/ For Fedora, I use the tuxonice kernel to load the patched DSDT. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): All - has never worked out of the box in Fedora. How reproducible: Steps to Reproduce: 1. Try to dim backlight using either keys or gnome control. Actual results: Nothing happens (unless using patched DSDT) Expected results: Backlight should be adjustable. Additional info: The backlight dimmer works out of the box using the latest (9.10) Ubuntu release - I tried it using their live CD. So there should be a viable solution. Hardware: Sony Vaio VGN-FW290 (and apparently others) Video: ATI Technologies Inc Mobility Radeon HD 3650 I don't really know if this is an ACPI problem or a Kernel problem.
Changed component to kernel based on note in bug report 549074
I'm seeing this issue fixed with the current kernel 2.6.32.9-67.fc12.x86_64 - very nice.