manual control of backlit keyboard

If you go to System Preferences > Displays, and uncheck "Automatically adjust brightness as ambient light changes", it will disable the display changing, You can then change the illumination via the F1 and F2 keys. I don't know however if there is a way to turn off the keyboard backlight, but the F8, F9, and F10 keys will let you adjust it manually.

Hi Michael - Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Go to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard and uncheck the box, 'Illuminate keyboard in low light conditions' to turn off the keyboard backlighting. There is no way that I'm aware of to adjust the backlighting manually other than leaving the above box checked and covering the speaker grills under which the ALS reside.

Tuttle

Ok guys...I'll try and thrill you with my discovery. I too was annoyed with the way the backlighting worked, or shall I say didn't work. Do this:

I'm not at my Powerbook right now, so I think these are the right F Keys.

Press the F7 key once. That "unlocks" the brightness controlls from the sensors. Then by pressing the F8 and F9 keys find the light level you want your keyboard set to.

Leave the checkmark checked in the illuminate keyboard control panel. Now, your keyboard will light to your specified brightness when it gets dark instead of fluxuating to and from unreadable levels.

Hope this helps...

Josh

Doesn't the F7 key toggle video display modes on your machine? I'm surprised that that key would have any effect on keyboard backlighting.

Tuttle

I'm sorry...I'm home and using my Powerbook now.

The on/off key is F8, F9 will make the light lower, and F10 with make the light higher.

-Josh