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justinf77 · 09:38 AM

Hello all, I have just received my PowerBook back from AppleCare. So far, everything looks good, except for this one thing. The backlit keyboard worked perfectly when I first received it a couple days ago, but after reinstalling and upgrading Panther to 10.3.2, and installing all my usual programs, something has happened. The system does not even recognize that my 15" AlBook even has an ALS!

If I look in System Preferences, no options are there to turn it on or off, both in the keyboard and display sections. Also, the F8-F9 keys show no sign of being connected to the keyboard light controls, even with all the lights down.

I have reset the PMU, PRAM, and deleted the com.apple.BezelServices.plist files from my hard drive. I REALLY want to avoid sending this machine in to AppleCare again. They had it for over a month last time, and I cannot afford to be without it again for that long.

Such a love / hate relationship with this machine...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Reinstalled Panther with Archive and Install, keeping users intact. Still did not work. Then I created another user, and the system still failed to acknowledge ALS. Just thought I would add this to help you with troubleshooting.

Crusoe · Feb 10, 2004, 05:04 AM

I've had mine quit working after putting it to sleep in a bright env. then waking it up when it's dark enough to kick on. I just have to restart to get it to work. Even attempting to adjust the settings did nothing. Though not exactly your case it may help with some tests.

selowitch · Feb 12, 2004, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by justinf77:
The backlit keyboard worked perfectly when I first received it a couple days ago, but after reinstalling and upgrading Panther to 10.3.2, and installing all my usual programs, something has happened. The system does not even recognize that my 15" AlBook even has an ALS!

Stab in the dark here, but what about resetting the Power Management Unit (PMU)?

<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449>

justinf77 · Feb 13, 2004, 04:18 AM

I've already done that. Unfortunately, I think this might just be a hardware problem I have to live with until I go home in April for break.

selowitch · Feb 13, 2004, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by justinf77:
I've already done that. Unfortunately, I think this might just be a hardware problem I have to live with until I go home in April for break.

Oh, yes -- you said that in your earlier post, didn't you?

Shame on me for skimming. Sorry.

steve_nyc · May 5, 2004, 10:27 AM

My brand-new PB 15" 1.5MHz arrived with the backlit feature of the keyboard not working and with OS 10.3.3. It was BTO and shipped from Shanghai.

Since immediately sending it off to Texas, there has been a hold on the job. When I called to see what the hold was about the Apple rep said that they were awaiting a replacement keyboard. (from Shanghai?)

Does anyone have a new 15" PB and OS 10.3.3 and working backlighting, I wonder?

0s and 1s · May 5, 2004, 11:03 AM

My new 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 10.3.3 has the backlit feature working just fine!

mnemons · May 5, 2004, 11:24 AM

My new 15" 1.5ghz PB w/ 10.3.3 has the backlit feature working just fine, although the screen will go dim for couple seconds right before the backlit goes to work while using battery.

0s and 1s · May 5, 2004, 06:54 PM

My backlit option doesn't turn on if there's enough light. This is normal right?? I've only used it once since I got my PB, so I hope I didn't upset it.

MRTrauffer · May 6, 2004, 10:30 AM

Just upgraded from a 14" iBook. My new 15" PB arrived this past Monday. Mine was BTO and I've had no problems with the light sensor.

Still glad I made the switch.