The customer complained that his Toshiba Satellite A70 laptop doesn’t have video on LCD but the screen lights up when he turns on the laptop.
Laptop diagnostics and repair:
The laptop started without any video on the LCD screen, but the backlight lighted the screen. When you have a problem like this, always try to connect the laptop to an external monitor. If the external video is fine, then most likely the system board or the video board in the laptop are fine and the problem is somewhere between the LCD screen and the system board. I connected the laptop to an external monitor and got a normal video output. To find the problem, I opened up the laptop display assembly and found that the video cable on the back of the LCD screen was half way out. After I reseated the display video cable, the laptop started with the internal video.
Read more:
How to troubleshoot and fix laptop video problems
Laptop has bad video on the LCD screen. What is wrong?
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February 24th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
My problem with my Toshiba satellite is similar to this one.maybe you could shed some light on this one. When turning on laptop only half of the screen appears. Screen is completely backlit with only several band of varying vertical bands. external monitors work fine and the laptop would still be usable to me if I could find someway to split screen to see remainder of screen. As im sure you know a new screen is really not cost efficient. Help this sucks>
February 24th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
The first thing that came to my mind – a bad LCD screen and I know how much new laptop LCD screen cost.
You say that the external monitor works fine, so most likely it is not a video driver issue. It is possible that the video cable is not seated properly and I would defiantly try to reset the video cable connectors on the system board and on the back of the LCD. Just in case try to re-flash or update the BIOS, who knows… It is also possible that the video cable is defective itself. You can also try to twist the LCD screen to create tension on the LCD, but not too much because you can crack the screen. Move top left and right corners of the screen in opposite directions. BE CAREFUL. See if you can get a normal video or if the vertical lines will disappear when you twist the screen, if yes then I would say the screen is bad.
April 14th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I have just replaced the lcd screen in my laptop but am now only getting a partial screen. It appears the right side of the screen is cut off and also has problem with the bottom of screen. This laptop was given to me a few days ago with a broken lcd but the vin plate on the bottom has no model or serial number. The documentation say its a a70/75 and the screen i bought was the repalcement part for the screen model number. I am just about to pull my hair out
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Tim,
Even though the screen is cracked in some cases it’s still possible to see some video on it. Did you check video before you replaced the screen? Did you check video on the external monitor, just to make sure the laptop itself works fine?
Try starting the laptop in Safe mode, maybe you have a problem with the video driver.
April 29th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Hi,
I have a similar problem with my toshiba a70. I took it apart as I was having problems where the laptop was shutting down and found a solution with cleaning the heatsink. When I put it all back together I found no video on the screen. When I went to hold the power button to turn it off I found that the screen flashed. I took it apart again and went through all the cables and ensured that they were all connected, and put it back together again.
Any ideas? Screen was working find before.
April 30th, 2007 at 12:02 am
LonnieB,
Did you remove or unlock the CPU during the disassembly process? If you did, make sure the CPU is properly seated and LOCKED inside the socket.
If you have any extra memory stick installed remove it and test the laptop just with the integrated (onboard) memory.
You also can try this. Unplug the display video cable from the motherboard and test the laptop with an external monitor. If the laptop works with an external monitor when the video cable is unplugged, probably there is something wrong inside the display assembly.
If the external monitor will not work even with unplugged laptop display, something is wrong on the motherboard.
As a last resort, you can remove the motherboard from the laptop base and assemble it outside the box. All you need is: motherboard and CPU with the cooling module, the motherboard already has integrated memory. Test this system with an external monitor. If it works find, start assembling everything back and test the laptop after each step.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hey Lonnie,
I had the same problem after cleaning the A70 out. Good news: it’s an easy fix.
The problem is in the LCD screen circuitry. Fix the screen by:
Use something to pad the back of the screen where you pressed (I used several layers of electrician’s tape)
0) Boot up the computer
1) remove the securing strip
2) Let out some slack by gently pulling the wires from their channels
3) remove the two bottom rubber pads and the two screws beneath them (no screws under the top pads – leave them)
4) Remove the four F8 screws securing the screen hinges to the laptop body
5) Use a small screw driver or other suitable tool to gently pry the casing apart
6) remove the two top screws securing the lcd to the monitor casing
7) Finally – from the point where the screen has no picture, press gently at the rear top of the screen at that point – this should bring back the picture
9) Close ‘er up
Email me with questions if needed
June 12th, 2007 at 5:31 am
if you look at the pic below, thats what i get on my screen after boot up.
http://www.imgshare.net/view_i.....osdied.jpg
June 15th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
patric,
First of all, test your laptop with an external monitor. If you see the same wonderful mosaic on the external monitor, you have a problem with the video card. In a Toshiba Satellite M30X/M35X the video card is integrated into the motherboard, so you’ll need a new one.
If the external monitor works fine and this defect appears only on the internal screen, you might have a problem with the LCD screen or the video cable.
Just in case try reseating the video cable on both ends – the motherboard and the LCD screen. A loose video connection can cause many different video problems.
June 19th, 2007 at 5:43 am
i tested it on an external monitor and the same thing came up.
so this means a new motherboard?
June 21st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Hey I have a Toshiba A70/75 laptop.
I’m having problems recharging the laptop. When I insert the AC adapter into the little hole, the light that indicates that the cable is in is blinking.
I dont know what to do. Any idea ?
September 13th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
You said if you twist the screen and the screen appears normal, then the screen is bad.
How is the screen bad if the image is perfect when I torque it or apply tension? To me that means that something isn’t connecting.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Marc,
What kind of problem you are experiencing with your laptop?
Here’s what I mean. Let’s say the screen has a few thin lines running from the top to the bottom. If the lines temporarily go away when you twisting/torquing the screen then most likely this problem is related to the screen itself and not related to a bad cable or loose connection.
November 21st, 2007 at 4:13 am
l have a acer travelmate 280 that powers up but their is no display. I tried another working screen and it was still dead. I carefully removed and replaced the hdd, cd-rom, modem and more as far as I could with tested working parts and still the same result. The video chipset is on the motherboard and I suspect that could be the problem. Is there any other way of knowing for sure? I did try booting up with an external monitor….NOTHING!! Any help will be much appreciated!
November 25th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
chris123,
In order to boot any laptop with video you need three essential components: motherboard (I assume the video card is integrated), processor and memory. With these three main parts you should be able to start your laptop with video on the external screen.
Did you test memory? Have you tried replacing it with a known good memory stick?
From my experience CPU failures are not very common. If new memory stick will not fix the laptop, most likely there is a problem with the motherboard.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:17 am
CJ yes I did test everything even the cpu with known good working parts and still with the same result! I thought that maybe you could tell me a practical way to test the integrated video on the motherboard! I think I’ll have to send it to the pro’s because I’m at a loss for other ways to test the motherboard! Thanks for your help!
November 26th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
chris123,
Unfortunately, I don’t know any other way to test the integrated video at home.
That’s the way most technicians use. Minimize the laptop as much as you can, install known good RAM, install known good CPU if you can find one and if it doesn’t help, replace the motherboard. Even if you can confirm that integrated video is bad, I doubt that you can fix this problem at home.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:18 am
sadly, my problem was the harddrive was gone. its wasnt the videocard that caused my screen to go all weird
February 6th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I have a toshiba satellite the left hinge is shatterdit boots up but doesn’t show picture on the lcd or external monitor can someone please hlep me
March 15th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I just installed my new lcd. I did not touch anything in the lcd, i unscrewed the hinges and connected the video cord to the motherboard. The screen powers on but no display.
When i toggle fn and f4 with an external monitor all is well. I just cannot get the display onto the lcd itself.
I am going crazy trying to figure out what is wrong with it. Any suggestions?
I just reinstalled windows, could this be the problem?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Julie,
Reinstalling Windows wouldn’t cause this problem.
What was wrong with the old LCD screen you just replaced? Did you get any image on the old screen?
It sounds like you’ve replaced the whole display panel assembly including LCD, inverter, video cable, right?
March 17th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Yes, I replaced the whole screen, LCD, inverter, and video cable.
The old LCD is fine.
The LCD cable was damaged so I replaced the cable. When replacing the LCD Cable, the inverter broke. So, I decided to just replace everything. The LCD is from the same model.
Thanks for the reply!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Julie,
It’s really hard to troubleshoot these kind of problems over the Internet without seeing the laptop. Try installing the old LCD screen back in place and find out if it makes any difference. You replaced all three parts at the same time. Did you buy this display assembly from a reliable source? Are you sure it’s good?
Normally, you replace parts one by one until the problem is fixed.
You said the external monitor works fine, so most likely the motherboard is fine.
If the laptop LCD has backlight but no image, I would check connections first. Make sure the video cable is properly connected to the motherboard and to the LCD screen.
Sorry, I cannot give you a better advice without seeing the laptop.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:54 am
i have IBM Thinkpad R52. When I power on my laptop, there is no display but battery led is on. And there is no hard drive led on. if i keep trying power on /off , sometimes it work. when it get worked its system board’s speed shows 335 Mhz. Actually its speed is 1.8 Ghz. I am a student of Computer science. I have tried all my best but didn’t work.
please help me
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
Just in the process of fixing an A100 which works fine through the external monitor connection but when switched over to LCD using Fn+F5, the backlight illuminates but there is no display at all, just an illuminated black screen.
I suspect it’s the screen that’s gone and not the cable (have a screen on order) so will update here but I just thought i’d keep you posted with progress.
Any one else ever had this fault and fixed it on an A100?
Steve
November 8th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Hi,
Just an update, have fitted a brand new LCD panel (used old inverter & screen cable) and the laptop is up and running now.
Thought this may be useful info for someone else in the future.
Cheers,
Steve
June 17th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Hi guys! I have been having major problems with my Toshiba a75 laptop. It keeps shutting itself down so I tried what you guys have on this site which is very helpful. I must say that I didn’t have the confidence taking my laptop apart but you guys have done it all for me. So first, I was able to take it apart with no problems, re soldered the stupid dc jack coz that’s where the issue is. I decided to do the Toshiba Satellite A75 failed power jack workaround and decided to have a small cord wiggling at the back of my laptop. At first I was having problems turning it on until I found out that some leads were actually sticking with my laptop’s metal case. So I had to re solder that put it all back and guess what it powered on. BUT! my LCD won’t display a thing! I can hear the fans spinning like what it normally does but the screen is all black, I’m worried something must have been damaged when I first had the problem with the metal casing sticking with the soldering leads. I haven’t been able to fully check if I missed something putting the parts all together again but I’m sure I’ve done it correctly because I’ve been taking it apart and putting it all back for so many times now. I’m just wondering if someone can give me some sort of advice how to resolve this and hopefully fixed the problem. Cheers!
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Hi, there.
I have a Toshiba Satellite A70. It started having problem with the LCD display a few months ago. The LCD blacked out by itself after a while. Initially, if I pushed the power button to turn on/off/on again, or tilted the display a few times, or tilted the display to a certain angle, it started working again. But the problem became worse after a few weeks. Finally, the LCD display completely blacked. However, I can still somehow “see” the LCD display except that there is no backlight.
What could be the cause of this problem? Is it the faulty LCD screen, or the dead backlight lamp, or the display inverter board? How could I determine if the problem is with the LCD screen, or the backlight lamp, or the display inverter board?
Thank you very much in advance!
August 24th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Ron,
First of all, I would try reconnecting the video cable. You mentioned that moving the display was able to fix the issue for a while. There is a chance it’s just a loose connection somewhere.
1. Reconnect cables on both ends of the inverter board.
2. Reconnect video cable on the back of the LCD screen.
3. Reconnect video cable on the motherboard.
You determine which one is causing the problem without spare parts. The backlight lamp and inverter board failure cause same symptoms – no light on the screen.
If reconnecting the video cable doesn’t help, one of the following parts could be bad:
1. Inverter board.
2. Backlight lamp inside the LCD screen.
3. Video cable.
First, I would try replacing the inverter board. Second, I would try replacing the LCD screen. Third, I would try replacing the video cable.
Here’s how you can troubleshoot laptop backlight failure with a spare backlight lamp: http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....in-laptop/
August 24th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Thanks, CJ. I really appreciate your prompt reply with such detailed explanation. Have a great day!
September 23rd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
My laptop’s sceen turns black right before it gets to the user part. The whole “windows” thing comes up fine, but then it goes black. I tried going into safe mode, but it didn’t work. I tried unpluging, taking out the battery, even just letting it rest, but nothing worked. PLEASE HELP.
September 27th, 2010 at 2:53 am
Jay,
Is it a Toshiba laptop?
Here’s what you can try. Turn it on and wait until the screen goes black. After that try hold down the Fn key and press a few times on the F5 key. Maybe your laptop trying to output video on the external screen and using Fn+F5 keys will switch it back to the internal mode.
Can you test your laptop with an external monitor? What happens to the external video when it boots to the login screen?
November 27th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Hi, have a emachines g620 laptop, the lcd will only come on when the screen its at a 45degree angle and powered on. If its opened at 90degrees it won’t come on. The laptop has to be switched off and repeat at 45degrees to make it come on again. I have changed the intverer, could this be a faulty video lead ?
November 28th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Mark,
First, I would check connections between the video cable and motherboard/LCD screen. Try reseating the video cable connector on the motherboard. And then connector on the back of the LCD screen. One of the connections could be loose.
If reseating connections doesn’t help, it’s possible the video cable itself is bad. Try replacing the video cable.
July 15th, 2011 at 4:37 am
Hello, I believe that this may be the site to finally help me with my problem. I have a Toshiba Satellite A215-S5837. Yesterday I closed to laptop after about a six hour session on it. Later that night I go to get on my laptop and when I open it nothing appears on the screen. The power light is on and remains on. It seems to be running as usual except no display. An interesting fact that I recently noticed is that the laptop no longer enters sleep when it is closed, the power light stays on. What would your input be on this, Thanks.
July 20th, 2011 at 7:59 am
i have toshiba laptop. problem is when i turn on laptop some lights come on screen and go.i change inverte circuit and put new lcd screen but not solve the problem. i do not change video cable. what should i change video cable or other problems
August 27th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
my videos make a trr noise while playing… is it sumthing serious ? please help..thanks a lot
November 14th, 2011 at 3:19 am
Theres no real way of diagnosing this without having a known good Screen.
What i have done in the past is remove the backlight lamp from a cracked screen where i know the backlight is in good working order. Then plug this into the inverter connector and switch on. If the back light lights up the problem is the back light in the screen, if it doesnt, its either the LCD harness Cable or the inverter. I would probably change the inverter first in this situation then the lcd harness cable, both parts are fairly reasonable in the laptop repair world.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@ David Turner,
This is correct.
I’m using exactly the same method. I have a backlight lamp removed from a 15.4″ and I’m using it for testing all laptops with backlight failure.
I described this method in the following post: http://www.laptoprepair101.com.....t-failure/
December 28th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
PLEASE PLEASE HELP! I have a Toshiba Satellite P205 laptop. When turned on, the screen lights up dimly (not completely black), but there is NO picture. I have connected it to an external monitor, and it works fine on that. I replaced the inverter board and tried EVERYTHING but its still not working!! please help if you have any ideas or tips. THanks sooo much!
December 28th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@ FRUSTRATED,
Did you check connection between the video cable and motherboard? It’s possible the connection is loose. I would try reconnecting the cable first.
You can access the connection if you go though steps 8-11 in this guide for Toshiba Satellite P205:
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/.....oard-2.htm