We RECENTLY purchased a LAPTOP at a liquidation sale, no instructions.  The monitor is RATHER dim when running on battery.  We tried a new battery, no change.  When plugged in, it is nice and bright.  Any IDEAS?

Thanks!If I remember correctly, that should be adjustable somewhere under power options.I found the Power option.  It was on Max Battery.  I changed it to Portable/Laptop as the only other possible choice that made sense and no difference.  Is there something I'm missing?No, no, I'm talking about Control Panel>Power settings.
I'll have to check my laptop.
In Vista, I go Start>Control Panel>Power options>Adjust the display brightness, and I have two settings, one for "On battery", one for "Plugged in".
I'm  not sure, how it is in XP,  but I found this: http://www.ehow.com/how_5057563_adjust-screen-brightness-windows-xp.htmlYes, it's under Control Power, Power Options, and the choices are:

Home/Office desk
Portable/Laptop
Presentation
Always on
Minimal power management
Maximum battery

As I say, it's on maximum battery, and portable/laptop didn't change anything.

Thanks for any help.

Your laptop should also have an adjustment by using keyboard keys.
On my Compaq it's Fn +F7/F8THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!  I researched the Function key on my Gateway, tried various keys that other brands used, and finally found the Fn+up and down arrows!  I now notice (duh) that the up and down arrows have a "sun" on them (more duh).  As you can tell, this is my FIRST laptop.

Your answer indeed helped and I am thrilled!  Thanks so much!! Glad to see you happy  Indeed, happy is good.