I found the screen brightness solution in a somewhat obscure article. My issue was my laptop couldn't remember brightness settings upon reboot. I'll post the link at the end of my answer.
All that was needed was to edit the file /etc/rc.local and add one line:
#!/bin/sh -e # # rc.local # # This script is executed at the end of each multiuser runlevel. # Make sure that the script will "exit 0" on success or any other # value on error. # # In order to enable or disable this script just change the execution # bits. # # By default this script does nothing. # screen brightness line added -jb # it's to make the laptop remember settings at power up. echo 7 > /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness exit 0 In my Debian Wheezy setup, the value "echo 7 >" sets brightness midway between dark and bright. So 7 is perfect for me. Choose a value that suits you.
"rc.local" kicks off when you restart your machine.
Here's the link:
https://linuxmeerkat.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/installing-ubuntu-on-samsung-5-ssdhdd/
scroll down the page to find how to change default screen brightness on a laptop.
Hope that helps
tex
p.s. looks like the pasted-in terminal output of rc.local appears in bold text - don't know why...
