problem with toshiba satellite screen

[arian11]

i have an old toshiba satellite and recently there have been problems with the screen. sometimes it'll work perfectly fine, but other times the screen will be dimmed to where its almost impossible to see. but u can still sorta see, so i know it booted up and everything. if i plug in the charger, it wont change. nothing fixes it, except for turning it off and turning it on constantly later till im lucky enough that it randomly works again. i can't figure out wat it could be, i put the brightness all the way up and put the screensaver on really high, but nothing seems to effect it.

[mjc]

It is possible that backlight is on its way out...or simply has a loose connection. That would explain the intemitant nature of the problem.

As for the not charging part...does it run if it is connected by way of the power adpapter?

If so, then the batteries may be too far gone to hold a charge any longer...

[azzey]

Make sure that the screen switch isn't stuck. It is located right at the hinges, usually more to the left side.

[arian11]

maybe the way i wrote about the charging part u misunderstood. the battery charges fine with the adapter. wat i was saying is that when teh screen is really dim, plugging the adapter into the laptop doesn't fix the problem. the lcd connector plugs dont seem to be loose, because when it is working fine if u shake or move the screen or do anything, it will still work perfectly fine. adn when the screen is really dim, moving it and everything wont fix it. i gotta try the button thing though, thx for the idea.

[PrntRhd]

The problem is most likely a bad backlight. These are flourescent bulbs and can go dim over time, and would require replacement as a seperate service item or as part of a replacement display, depending on the model.
This may be a bit $$$ more than you might want to spend vs a new notebook.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Most likely it is dust/dirt in the backlight switch (near the rightside hinge on Tecras). Compressed air or flicking the switch with your fingernail usually takes care of the problem with my Toshiba.

But I prefer to call mine 'elderly', not old... ;)

[PrntRhd]

But I prefer to call mine 'elderly', not old...
Sounds like a working notebook to me.
:D