How do I make the keyboard illuminate?

[Nermal]

I'm probably missing something really simple...

I just got a 2.33 GHz 15" MBP and I'm trying to make the keyboard light up. How do I do it? The manual says that F8-F10 should control illumination, but they don't seem to do anything. Do I need to turn something on in Sys Prefs?

 

[Chundles]

I'm probably missing something really simple...

I just got a 2.33 GHz 15" MBP and I'm trying to make the keyboard light up. How do I do it? The manual says that F8-F10 should control illumination, but they don't seem to do anything. Do I need to turn something on in Sys Prefs?

Hold down the Fn key when you press F8 - F10??

 

[gr8tfly]

It'll only come on if the ambient light is low enough. Try putting your palms over both speaker grills (the light sensors are underneath).

Hope this does it. Enjoy!

Edit: Also - make sure "Illuminate keyboard in low light conditions" is checked in System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard.

 

[topgun072003]

yeah, fn F8 = off, fn F9 = lower, fn F10= brighter. It has to be dark in your room as well. Turn off the lights in your room to see if it works.

 

[Nermal]

Aha! It worked once I turned the light off

I just assumed I'd be able to override it, just to try it out

 

[WildCowboy]

Download Lab Tick if you want to override the settings for real, or just to play around.

 

[hayduke]

LabTick is the stupidiest program that ever HAD to exist.

...that is a really strange way of saying...

WHY they HELL does elegant Apple prevent you from adjusting your own keyboard illumination which thus necessitates the elegant solution that is LabTick. I count this lack of a feature amongst my biggest peeves with my PB. Damn you Apple! Why can't you be perfect.

Thanks for the LabTick heads up...now if only it accepted key bindings to work with Quicksilver....

 

[Nermal]

Download Lab Tick if you want to override the settings for real, or just to play around.

Nah it's OK, I just wanted to make sure it worked; I don't expect to require an illuminated keyboard in a bright room

 

[levicsofi]

I love the idea, but it does not work fine for me. If there is a window behind me (what is the case now) there is no illumination, however I cannot turn it on if I need it.

It looks too smart for me. Is there a way to adjust it manually? (when it is not turned on it is useless to push F6 - the icon shows me it is not allowed to adjust illumination (why?))

 

[Darth.Titan]

I love the idea, but it does not work fine for me. If there is a window behind me (what is the case now) there is no illumination, however I cannot turn it on if I need it.

It looks too smart for me. Is there a way to adjust it manually? (when it is not turned on it is useless to push F6 - the icon shows me it is not allowed to adjust illumination (why?))

Read the thread please.

1. The backlighting only is available in low light conditions. With a window behind you, the Mac detects too much light.
2. If you want to force it, try the Lab Tick app that was mentioned.