download nirsoft volume mouse
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/volumouse.html
it has an option to increase- decrease the screen brightness with the mouse
wheel..
I use it all the time!
Screen Brightness: Allows you to change the brightness of the entire screen.
Important Notice: Changing the screen brightness is achieved by setting the
gamma ramp values into the video card. Unfortunately, many video cards don't
support this feature, so the 'Screen Brightness' component may not work in
your system.
"cowtoon" <> wrote in message
news:4C6E0D49-8E45-486D-86F3-...
> I'm trying to select a black background for Vista [32bit home premium](to
> increase battery life when working on the laptop). Is there just a way to
> select a black coloured background. I can't seem to find it as an option.
> I can choose other photos, but there's no pallet with colours to choose
> from. I'm thinking the darker colour will extend my battery life by
> perhaps a half hour. I've got the brightness down as far as it'll go, but
> my current background image is too bright.
>
> I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.