E6400 screen getting dimmer and touch pad not always working

Hi ,

 My E6400 's screen is very dim no matter how I set the power settings. I have the screen brightness set on full and the power saver settings set to always stay on . It feels like the problem is getting worse. I have the Blue up /down  light button settings all the way up as well ( It will get dimmer if I hit the down button but the brightest setting is still dim ) ...

 My husband has the same laptop and his screen brightness is excellent.

Also the touch pad doesnt always respond. I have to sometimes tap it repeatedly before it will respond .

Any help appreciated.