Vista - Dim monitor problem-interesting bug

If someone could help me with this...

**Problem Description:

Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor. This
begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of processes
(viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor uses beyond
normal startup.

**Important details

Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic, high
contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition of
"Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the external
one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary remaining normal
brightness.

When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is no
difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright area. Note
that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor increases
its dimness.

Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from Dell
produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was taken to
completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The default, no
driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the problem.

When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through states of
dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full brightness, not the
partial brightness at which the computer has been running.


A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as "A".
The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are scenarios
and the results:
User B logs in and has the problem

Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem


User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and does
not experience the problem.

User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B then
logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem. A logs
out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A then logs
back in and does not experience the problem.


**System specifications
2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
2 gig 533 mhz RAM

**Programs
Adobe Flash
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Reader
Autodesk Revit 2008
Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
FFDSHOW
Filezilla
Goldsim
Matlab 2007a
..net runtime 1.1
Office 2007
C++ redistribute
MSXML 4.0 XP2
Oggcodecs
Paint.NET v3.08
SAP2000 v11
WinRAR
Yahoo Music Jukebox

Substitution is called for here. I would start with substituting a dual
output video card of known good quality (one that is know to function
correctly). Same problem? I would then sub in a 3rd monitor in place of the
dim one.

Solving for something like this takes physical trouble shooting. Just last
month I replaced a *keyboard* that functioned fine under Windows XP but
froze up Vista so bad that you had to use the power switch to reboot. Go
figure!

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)



"benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:AD82636A-8EE4-40A8-A137-E0F6940B59D5@microsoft.com...
> If someone could help me with this...
>
> **Problem Description:
>
> Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor. This
> begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of
> processes (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor uses
> beyond normal startup.
>
> **Important details
>
> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic,
> high contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition of
> "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the external
> one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary remaining normal
> brightness.
>
> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is no
> difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright area. Note
> that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor
> increases its dimness.
>
> Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from
> Dell produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was
> taken to completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The
> default, no driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the
> problem.
>
> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through states
> of dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full brightness, not
> the partial brightness at which the computer has been running.
>
>
> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as "A".
> The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are scenarios
> and the results:
> User B logs in and has the problem
>
> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>
>
> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and does
> not experience the problem.
>
> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
> out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B
> then logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem. A
> logs out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A then
> logs back in and does not experience the problem.
>
>
> **System specifications
> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
> Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>
> **Programs
> Adobe Flash
> Adobe Lightroom
> Adobe Reader
> Autodesk Revit 2008
> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
> FFDSHOW
> Filezilla
> Goldsim
> Matlab 2007a
> .net runtime 1.1
> Office 2007
> C++ redistribute
> MSXML 4.0 XP2
> Oggcodecs
> Paint.NET v3.08
> SAP2000 v11
> WinRAR
> Yahoo Music Jukebox
>
>

I am on a laptop, so a video card replacement is out of the question.

Most oddly, the problem only manifests under one user account, which does
not sound like a hardware bug.

Any new ideas? Specifically, does Vista offer a "feature" that dims the
monitor so the user is better able to find the mouse? Or is there a way
that UAC's dimming can be turned on at all times? It almost seems like a
feature gone wrong.

Maybe I will try using "migrate settings" to another computer and see if the
migrated user has the same problems.

Ben

"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:O%23R5vgiqHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Substitution is called for here. I would start with substituting a dual
> output video card of known good quality (one that is know to function
> correctly). Same problem? I would then sub in a 3rd monitor in place of
> the dim one.
>
> Solving for something like this takes physical trouble shooting. Just last
> month I replaced a *keyboard* that functioned fine under Windows XP but
> froze up Vista so bad that you had to use the power switch to reboot. Go
> figure!
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
>
>
> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
> news:AD82636A-8EE4-40A8-A137-E0F6940B59D5@microsoft.com...
>> If someone could help me with this...
>>
>> **Problem Description:
>>
>> Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
>> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor.
>> This begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of
>> processes (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor
>> uses beyond normal startup.
>>
>> **Important details
>>
>> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic,
>> high contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition of
>> "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the external
>> one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary remaining normal
>> brightness.
>>
>> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is
>> no difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright area.
>> Note that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor
>> increases its dimness.
>>
>> Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from
>> Dell produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was
>> taken to completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The
>> default, no driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the
>> problem.
>>
>> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through states
>> of dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full brightness, not
>> the partial brightness at which the computer has been running.
>>
>>
>> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as "A".
>> The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are
>> scenarios and the results:
>> User B logs in and has the problem
>>
>> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>>
>>
>> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and does
>> not experience the problem.
>>
>> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
>> out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B
>> then logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem. A
>> logs out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A then
>> logs back in and does not experience the problem.
>>
>>
>> **System specifications
>> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
>> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
>> Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
>> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
>> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>>
>> **Programs
>> Adobe Flash
>> Adobe Lightroom
>> Adobe Reader
>> Autodesk Revit 2008
>> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
>> FFDSHOW
>> Filezilla
>> Goldsim
>> Matlab 2007a
>> .net runtime 1.1
>> Office 2007
>> C++ redistribute
>> MSXML 4.0 XP2
>> Oggcodecs
>> Paint.NET v3.08
>> SAP2000 v11
>> WinRAR
>> Yahoo Music Jukebox
>>
>>
>

hello.. never ever listen to richard urban.. he is full of urban myths..

what you are seeing is the display adaptor driver turning down the
brightness...
I dont know why its happening to you but I simulate that exact thing *dark
surrounding but bright cursor*
if I go inside the settings of the dispay adaptor and change them...

I even have a small program called volumemouse that lets me turn the
brightness up and down
with the scroll wheel.. when I turn it down .. I see that exact thing as you
are describing.

what kind of display adaptor is this? nvidia chip?



"benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
newsC5A05AB-5EC8-4D47-B6FD-F6C35CC081B4@microsoft.com...
>I am on a laptop, so a video card replacement is out of the question.
>
> Most oddly, the problem only manifests under one user account, which does
> not sound like a hardware bug.
>
> Any new ideas? Specifically, does Vista offer a "feature" that dims the
> monitor so the user is better able to find the mouse? Or is there a way
> that UAC's dimming can be turned on at all times? It almost seems like a
> feature gone wrong.
>
> Maybe I will try using "migrate settings" to another computer and see if
> the migrated user has the same problems.
>
> Ben
>
> "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:O%23R5vgiqHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Substitution is called for here. I would start with substituting a dual
>> output video card of known good quality (one that is know to function
>> correctly). Same problem? I would then sub in a 3rd monitor in place of
>> the dim one.
>>
>> Solving for something like this takes physical trouble shooting. Just
>> last month I replaced a *keyboard* that functioned fine under Windows XP
>> but froze up Vista so bad that you had to use the power switch to reboot.
>> Go figure!
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Richard Urban
>> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
>> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>>
>>
>>
>> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
>> news:AD82636A-8EE4-40A8-A137-E0F6940B59D5@microsoft.com...
>>> If someone could help me with this...
>>>
>>> **Problem Description:
>>>
>>> Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
>>> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor.
>>> This begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of
>>> processes (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor
>>> uses beyond normal startup.
>>>
>>> **Important details
>>>
>>> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic,
>>> high contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition
>>> of "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the
>>> external one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary remaining
>>> normal brightness.
>>>
>>> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is
>>> no difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright area.
>>> Note that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor
>>> increases its dimness.
>>>
>>> Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from
>>> Dell produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was
>>> taken to completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The
>>> default, no driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the
>>> problem.
>>>
>>> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through
>>> states of dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full
>>> brightness, not the partial brightness at which the computer has been
>>> running.
>>>
>>>
>>> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as "A".
>>> The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are
>>> scenarios and the results:
>>> User B logs in and has the problem
>>>
>>> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>>>
>>>
>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and does
>>> not experience the problem.
>>>
>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
>>> out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B
>>> then logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem.
>>> A logs out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A
>>> then logs back in and does not experience the problem.
>>>
>>>
>>> **System specifications
>>> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
>>> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
>>> Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
>>> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
>>> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>>>
>>> **Programs
>>> Adobe Flash
>>> Adobe Lightroom
>>> Adobe Reader
>>> Autodesk Revit 2008
>>> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
>>> FFDSHOW
>>> Filezilla
>>> Goldsim
>>> Matlab 2007a
>>> .net runtime 1.1
>>> Office 2007
>>> C++ redistribute
>>> MSXML 4.0 XP2
>>> Oggcodecs
>>> Paint.NET v3.08
>>> SAP2000 v11
>>> WinRAR
>>> Yahoo Music Jukebox
>>>
>>>
>>
>

Tiberious

I am using a Mobility Radeon x300

I can change the brightness of the monitor, that changes the overall
brightness (It turns down the backlight). The problem seems to be in
Windows, with the brightness of the output to the monitor turned down, not
the actual backlight lower. I don't know if that made any sence.

Where are you turning down the brightness in the "display adaptor driver?"

Ben

"Tiberius" <321@123.32> wrote in message
news:%23njKt9iqHHA.3296@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> hello.. never ever listen to richard urban.. he is full of urban myths..
>
> what you are seeing is the display adaptor driver turning down the
> brightness...
> I dont know why its happening to you but I simulate that exact thing *dark
> surrounding but bright cursor*
> if I go inside the settings of the dispay adaptor and change them...
>
> I even have a small program called volumemouse that lets me turn the
> brightness up and down
> with the scroll wheel.. when I turn it down .. I see that exact thing as
> you are describing.
>
> what kind of display adaptor is this? nvidia chip?
>
>
>
> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
> newsC5A05AB-5EC8-4D47-B6FD-F6C35CC081B4@microsoft.com...
>>I am on a laptop, so a video card replacement is out of the question.
>>
>> Most oddly, the problem only manifests under one user account, which does
>> not sound like a hardware bug.
>>
>> Any new ideas? Specifically, does Vista offer a "feature" that dims the
>> monitor so the user is better able to find the mouse? Or is there a way
>> that UAC's dimming can be turned on at all times? It almost seems like a
>> feature gone wrong.
>>
>> Maybe I will try using "migrate settings" to another computer and see if
>> the migrated user has the same problems.
>>
>> Ben
>>
>> "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:O%23R5vgiqHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Substitution is called for here. I would start with substituting a dual
>>> output video card of known good quality (one that is know to function
>>> correctly). Same problem? I would then sub in a 3rd monitor in place of
>>> the dim one.
>>>
>>> Solving for something like this takes physical trouble shooting. Just
>>> last month I replaced a *keyboard* that functioned fine under Windows XP
>>> but froze up Vista so bad that you had to use the power switch to
>>> reboot. Go figure!
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Richard Urban
>>> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
>>> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
>>> news:AD82636A-8EE4-40A8-A137-E0F6940B59D5@microsoft.com...
>>>> If someone could help me with this...
>>>>
>>>> **Problem Description:
>>>>
>>>> Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
>>>> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor.
>>>> This begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of
>>>> processes (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor
>>>> uses beyond normal startup.
>>>>
>>>> **Important details
>>>>
>>>> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic,
>>>> high contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition
>>>> of "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the
>>>> external one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary remaining
>>>> normal brightness.
>>>>
>>>> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is
>>>> no difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright area.
>>>> Note that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor
>>>> increases its dimness.
>>>>
>>>> Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from
>>>> Dell produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was
>>>> taken to completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The
>>>> default, no driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the
>>>> problem.
>>>>
>>>> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through
>>>> states of dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full
>>>> brightness, not the partial brightness at which the computer has been
>>>> running.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as
>>>> "A". The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are
>>>> scenarios and the results:
>>>> User B logs in and has the problem
>>>>
>>>> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and
>>>> does not experience the problem.
>>>>
>>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
>>>> out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B
>>>> then logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem.
>>>> A logs out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A
>>>> then logs back in and does not experience the problem.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **System specifications
>>>> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
>>>> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
>>>> Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
>>>> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
>>>> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>>>>
>>>> **Programs
>>>> Adobe Flash
>>>> Adobe Lightroom
>>>> Adobe Reader
>>>> Autodesk Revit 2008
>>>> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
>>>> FFDSHOW
>>>> Filezilla
>>>> Goldsim
>>>> Matlab 2007a
>>>> .net runtime 1.1
>>>> Office 2007
>>>> C++ redistribute
>>>> MSXML 4.0 XP2
>>>> Oggcodecs
>>>> Paint.NET v3.08
>>>> SAP2000 v11
>>>> WinRAR
>>>> Yahoo Music Jukebox
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

try this small free utility to adjust the brightness

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/V...ma-Panel.shtml


"benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
news:72209130-C41D-4679-958E-F54E5F3A3CB6@microsoft.com...
> Tiberious
>
> I am using a Mobility Radeon x300
>
> I can change the brightness of the monitor, that changes the overall
> brightness (It turns down the backlight). The problem seems to be in
> Windows, with the brightness of the output to the monitor turned down, not
> the actual backlight lower. I don't know if that made any sence.
>
> Where are you turning down the brightness in the "display adaptor driver?"
>
> Ben
>
> "Tiberius" <321@123.32> wrote in message
> news:%23njKt9iqHHA.3296@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> hello.. never ever listen to richard urban.. he is full of urban myths..
>>
>> what you are seeing is the display adaptor driver turning down the
>> brightness...
>> I dont know why its happening to you but I simulate that exact thing
>> *dark surrounding but bright cursor*
>> if I go inside the settings of the dispay adaptor and change them...
>>
>> I even have a small program called volumemouse that lets me turn the
>> brightness up and down
>> with the scroll wheel.. when I turn it down .. I see that exact thing as
>> you are describing.
>>
>> what kind of display adaptor is this? nvidia chip?
>>
>>
>>
>> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
>> newsC5A05AB-5EC8-4D47-B6FD-F6C35CC081B4@microsoft.com...
>>>I am on a laptop, so a video card replacement is out of the question.
>>>
>>> Most oddly, the problem only manifests under one user account, which
>>> does not sound like a hardware bug.
>>>
>>> Any new ideas? Specifically, does Vista offer a "feature" that dims the
>>> monitor so the user is better able to find the mouse? Or is there a way
>>> that UAC's dimming can be turned on at all times? It almost seems like
>>> a feature gone wrong.
>>>
>>> Maybe I will try using "migrate settings" to another computer and see if
>>> the migrated user has the same problems.
>>>
>>> Ben
>>>
>>> "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:O%23R5vgiqHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Substitution is called for here. I would start with substituting a dual
>>>> output video card of known good quality (one that is know to function
>>>> correctly). Same problem? I would then sub in a 3rd monitor in place of
>>>> the dim one.
>>>>
>>>> Solving for something like this takes physical trouble shooting. Just
>>>> last month I replaced a *keyboard* that functioned fine under Windows
>>>> XP but froze up Vista so bad that you had to use the power switch to
>>>> reboot. Go figure!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Richard Urban
>>>> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
>>>> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "benfield" <benfield@u.washington.edu> wrote in message
>>>> news:AD82636A-8EE4-40A8-A137-E0F6940B59D5@microsoft.com...
>>>>> If someone could help me with this...
>>>>>
>>>>> **Problem Description:
>>>>>
>>>>> Primary monitor becomes dim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
>>>>> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor.
>>>>> This begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of
>>>>> processes (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor
>>>>> uses beyond normal startup.
>>>>>
>>>>> **Important details
>>>>>
>>>>> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic,
>>>>> high contrast) the primary monitor will remain dim. If the definition
>>>>> of "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the
>>>>> external one, the primary retains the dim, with the secondary
>>>>> remaining normal brightness.
>>>>>
>>>>> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there
>>>>> is no difference between screen captures of the dim and the bright
>>>>> area. Note that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary
>>>>> monitor increases its dimness.
>>>>>
>>>>> Both the Vista shipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from
>>>>> Dell produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was
>>>>> taken to completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The
>>>>> default, no driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the
>>>>> problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through
>>>>> states of dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full
>>>>> brightness, not the partial brightness at which the computer has been
>>>>> running.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as
>>>>> "A". The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are
>>>>> scenarios and the results:
>>>>> User B logs in and has the problem
>>>>>
>>>>> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and
>>>>> does not experience the problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without
>>>>> logging out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when
>>>>> logged in. B then logs out, but both A and the switch user screen
>>>>> have the problem. A logs out and no problem is experienced in the
>>>>> switch user screen. A then logs back in and does not experience the
>>>>> problem.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> **System specifications
>>>>> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
>>>>> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
>>>>> Windows Vista Ultimate with all available updates
>>>>> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
>>>>> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>>>>>
>>>>> **Programs
>>>>> Adobe Flash
>>>>> Adobe Lightroom
>>>>> Adobe Reader
>>>>> Autodesk Revit 2008
>>>>> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
>>>>> FFDSHOW
>>>>> Filezilla
>>>>> Goldsim
>>>>> Matlab 2007a
>>>>> .net runtime 1.1
>>>>> Office 2007
>>>>> C++ redistribute
>>>>> MSXML 4.0 XP2
>>>>> Oggcodecs
>>>>> Paint.NET v3.08
>>>>> SAP2000 v11
>>>>> WinRAR
>>>>> Yahoo Music Jukebox
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Hi there.

I was having this same problem with Vista Ultimate on an ATI Mobility
Radeon X1400.

Here's how to fix it:

In the catalyst control center, go to the advanced settings.

Then click color.

The click the "Reactivate ATI Color Control" button.


I'm not sure why this happens - but this definitely fixed the problem.

Good luck.

- Chris


On Jun 8, 7:21 pm, "benfield" <benfi...@u.washington.edu> wrote:
> If someone could help me with this...
>
> **Problem Description:
>
> Primary monitor becomesdim, similar to when UAC highlights one of its
> dialog boxes. The only item of full brightness is the mouse cursor. This
> begins ~30 seconds after booting, with no noticeable beginning of processes
> (viewed in task manager), high disk throughput or processor uses beyond
> normal startup.
>
> **Important details
>
> Regardless of the resolution (WUXGA to SVGA) or theme (glass, classic, high
> contrast) the primary monitor will remaindim. If the definition of
> "Primary" is switched from the laptop's attached monitor to the external
> one, the primary retains thedim, with the secondary remaining normal
> brightness.
>
> When the "Snipping Tool" from tablet PC functionality is used, there is no
> difference between screen captures of thedimand the bright area. Note
> that when the Snipping Tool dims the monitor, the primary monitor increases
> its dimness.
>
> Both theVistashipping drivers and the new Mobility Catalyst 7.4 from Dell
> produce the problem. When uninstalling the new drivers, care was taken to
> completely uninstall the driver and all ATI software. The default, no
> driver setup (standard VGA adapter) does not exhibit the problem.
>
> When placing the computer in "stand by," the computer goes through states of
> dimness before it goes to black. This begins at full brightness, not the
> partial brightness at which the computer has been running.
>
> A new user was created to troubleshoot the problem, refer to him as "A".
> The user that experiences the problem is "B". The following are scenarios
> and the results:
> User B logs in and has the problem
>
> Only user A logs in and does not experience the problem
>
> User B logs in, has the problem, then logs out. User A logs in and does
> not experience the problem.
>
> User B logs in, has the problem, then switches the user without logging
> out. The switch user screen has problems, as does A when logged in. B then
> logs out, but both A and the switch user screen have the problem. A logs
> out and no problem is experienced in the switch user screen. A then logs
> back in and does not experience the problem.
>
> **System specifications
> 2005 manufacture of Inspiron 6000 with ATI mobility Radeon x300 64 MB.
> WUXGA LCD and external WSXGA (1680x1050)
> WindowsVistaUltimate with all available updates
> 1.6 ghz Pentium M with 533 mhz FSB
> 2 gig 533 mhz RAM
>
> **Programs
> Adobe Flash
> Adobe Lightroom
> Adobe Reader
> Autodesk Revit 2008
> Autodesk AutoCAD 2008
> FFDSHOW
> Filezilla
> Goldsim
> Matlab 2007a
> .net runtime 1.1
> Office 2007
> C++ redistribute
> MSXML 4.0 XP2
> Oggcodecs
> Paint.NET v3.08
> SAP2000 v11
> WinRAR
> Yahoo Music Jukebox

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT!
i had that exact problem Benfield was getting and it was driving me crazy, because the other user for my computer wasn't getting the same problem i was getting with the screen going dim / dark, but the mouse pointer maintaining it's brightness after less than 60 seconds of log on.

but that worked perfect!
saved me from kicking/throwing a very nice samsung LCD.

thanks heaps ctaliercio@yahoo.com