toshset

toshset [options]

-brightness value / -brt value
    Sets the display brightness. value typically ranges from 0 to 7, or a percentage, depending on the specific Toshiba model and toshset version.

-fan {on|off|auto} / -fanon / -fanoff
    Controls the cooling fan operation. Options might include turning the fan on, off, or setting it to automatic control, if supported by the hardware.

-lcd {on|off}
    Manages the state of the internal LCD panel, allowing it to be turned on or off.

-tv {on|off}
    Controls the TV-out port, enabling or disabling external TV output.

-help
    Displays a brief help message and available options for the specific toshset version.

toshset was a Linux command-line utility primarily designed for Toshiba laptop owners to interact with and configure hardware-specific settings. It leveraged ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) to provide control over features unique to Toshiba's proprietary hardware. Users could employ toshset to adjust screen brightness, manage fan behavior (e.g., turn on/off), control the LCD panel, or manage external video outputs (like TV-out).

Developed during a period when Linux's generic hardware support was less mature, toshset served as an essential bridge, allowing users to fine-tune their Toshiba laptops' performance and power management beyond what the standard kernel modules offered. Its usage has significantly declined with advancements in generic ACPI support within the Linux kernel and the emergence of more universal hardware control tools.

toshset is a highly vendor-specific utility, designed exclusively for certain Toshiba laptop models. It is largely deprecated and may not function correctly, or at all, on modern Toshiba hardware or contemporary Linux distributions. Using it improperly could potentially lead to hardware malfunctions or unexpected system behavior. Users should exercise caution and ensure compatibility before attempting to use it.

It is crucial to understand that toshset is not a generic Linux command. Its functionality is tied directly to the specific ACPI implementations found in certain Toshiba laptop BIOSes. This means its behavior, available options, and even its very existence can vary wildly between different Toshiba models and manufacturing years.

For modern Linux systems and hardware, generic tools like xbacklight (for brightness), kernel modules (e.g., snd_hda_intel for audio, various acpi_video drivers), and direct ACPI interface files (e.g., in /sys/class/backlight/ or /proc/acpi/) are typically used for hardware control instead of vendor-specific utilities like toshset.

The toshset utility gained prominence in the early 2000s, especially among Linux users attempting to run distributions on Toshiba laptops. It was developed to address limitations in the Linux kernel's direct support for Toshiba's proprietary hardware features. As the Linux kernel matured and ACPI support became more robust and standardized across various hardware vendors, the necessity and relevance of toshset diminished. It is now rarely maintained or found in modern Linux repositories, being largely superseded by generic ACPI tools and better kernel integration.

acpi(1), setpci(8), hwinfo(8), xbacklight(1)