Toshiba laptop screen out, what cable is used to hookup to external monitor

Have you tried hooking up an external monitor to it and seeing if it works? I would try that first to rule out a video card issue. If the external monitor works fine, here is a website with pictures on how to disassemble the laptop to replace the screen:
Toshiba Satellite A105 Laptop Disassembly Guide Cooling Fan Heatsink...

By whom Kathleen? You?

I ask because there are two ways to answer this;

1) You performed the procedure, and less for me to post.

2) You did not perform the procedure, and I need to explain from the beginning; using a diagnostic flowchart, pictorial guidance, and guidance from me.

While I wait for your reply, suggest perform this simple test first;
Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, attach an external monitor;

1) VGA monitor to RGB (VGA) port on left side of laptop.
Can use a CRT type of monitor (Looks like a small TV), or flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_Connector

OR;

2) S-Video port on left side of laptop for TV, or external video display device

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By factory default settings, the display should show on the external monitor. (Display device)

If not there are 3 display options available;
1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external monitor
3) External monitor ONLY

Press, and hold the Fn key down, and at the SAME time tap once on the F5 key.
The F5 key is the Display Toggle-Over key.

Still no?
Hold the Fn key down again, and tap once more on the F5 key.

Display on external monitor means there is a problem with;

A) Video Cable
B) screen Inverter
C) LCD screen

Which means if computer display was working correctly before;

1) Whoever repaired it could have used the external display option, and it needs to be set back to internal

2) The Video Cable connections are not tight, not correct.

Loose at motherboard, screen Inverter, or LCD screen.

3) Anti-Static Procedures were NOT followed, and laptop is now an expensive paperweight.

Post back in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

It's probably best to buy a keyboard off auction sites or a new screen, the Function keys are not OS sensitive so a different keyboard will not work with them, they are device specific and require special drivers to operate.
Are keys broken or are they just missing? the membrane will still work to a firm press even if the key is missing.

keyboards can be found on auction sites

sorry I can't help more.

From your brief diagnoses stated, it sounds like a bad Video Cable.

The Video Cable routes from the motherboard, across one edge of the Fan Assembly, and under the left Hinge assembly,

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-Pro-L450-L455/big-body/laptop-disassembly-19.jpg

With just the usual opening, and closing of the laptop, the Video Cable's sheath may be damaged. This means the tiny wires inside the sheath may be damaged.
(Stretched/Broken)

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-Pro-L450-L455/laptop-disassembly-1.htm

http://www.laptoprepairparts.com/html/details.asp?ref=1860&category=cables

Or it may be the screen Inverter that is damaged, or going out,

http://mcccomputers.com/shop/lcd-inverters/3666-new-toshiba-satellite-l455-s5009-l455-s5045-lcd-inverter-pk070006t20-k000087330.html

Or the LCD screen assembly.

Could be the graphics chipset.

Diagnose.

1) Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect an external VGA monitor to the laptop's VGA connector, on the back of the laptop.

[ RBG (Monitor) port ]

You can use a CRT monitor (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor if it has a VGA cable, for the external VGA monitor.

[ Example of a VGA cable, and a VGA port (Connector),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector ]

Turn the external VGA monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By default the external monitor should show the display, also.
IF not;
1) Press, and hold down on the Fn key, and simultaneously tap on the F5 key. (The F5 key is the Display toggle-over key)

Not showing on the external VGA monitor? Perform the above procedure again.
There are several display options.

External VGA monitor also show the same symptoms?
Bad graphics chipset. Replacing the motherboard is the most cost effective method, and easiest method.

External VGA monitor does Not show these symptoms?
Problem is the Video Cable, or screen Inverter, or LCD screen.

Due to movement of the LCD screen, which means movement of the Video Cable, my money is on a bad Video Cable.

(A Video Cable can be unplugged partially, real easy, on the back of the LCD screen.
It MAY look plugged in tightly, but may not be.

It can also be unplugged real easy when assembling the Display Assembly, to reinstall back on the laptop )

Check the Video Cable's wires with a multimeter. Perform a continuity check of all wires in the cable. (Multimeter set to Ohms)

Have an assistant also gently wiggle the cable, as you are testing. See if there is an intermittent break, due to a stretched/broken wire.

Or just buy a replacement Video Cable, and use it.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Jeff, connect an external monitor for a diagnostic test.

Laptop OFF, monitor OFF, connect a VGA monitor to the VGA port on the back of the laptop,
(RGB/Monitor connector,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector )

The external/VGA monitor can be a CRT type (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen that has a VGA cable.

Turn the external monitor on. If a CRT type allow it to warm up.
Turn the laptop on.

By default the display should show on the external monitor. If not press, and hold down on the Fn key, and tap the F5 key. (One of the Hot Key's)

If the display still does not show, hold down on the Fn key, and tap the F5 key again.
There are three display options;

1) Internal monitor of laptop ONLY
2) Internal monitor of laptop AND external monitor
3) External monitor ONLY

If graphics show on the external monitor, you have a problem in the Display Assembly, and/or the Video Cable.

If graphics do Not show on the external monitor, you have a problem with the graphics chipset on the motherboard.
(ATI Radeon 3100)

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-Pro-L450-L455/laptop-disassembly-1.htm

Video Cable
1) Could be the connections. The connection of the video cable TO the motherboard, and the other end of the video cable TO the back of the LCD screen. (In the Display Assembly)

2) Could be damage to the video cable. Check the sheath of the cable for obvious signs of damage. If so, the thin tiny wires inside may be damaged also.

Cable should be checked for continuity of each wire in the cable. (Ohm's with a multimeter)

Video Cable condition, and tightness of connections check out, it's on to the screen Inverter.

Primer:
An LCD screen does not produce light by itself. It needs an additional light source.
A Backlight is the additional light source.

A Backlight is a CCFL, or a series of LED lights.

The Toshiba Satellite L455D-S5976 Notebook PC, uses 1 single CCFL for a Backlight.
Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp.

Similar to Fluorescent lighting used in homes, and businesses, but on a MUCH smaller scale.

A screen Inverter is used to convert the power (Electricity) from the laptop, for the LCD screen, and Backlight.

90 PERCENT OF THE TIME the fault is the Inverter.

The screen Inverter is a small rectangular circuit board, and is located behind the Display Bezel, an at the bottom of the LCD screen,

Example of screen Inverter,

http://www.battery-stores.co.uk/laptop-inverter.php/toshiba_Satellite+L455D-S5976_205_5226.htm

Link to a free Service Manual for the Toshiba Satellite L455D series of Notebook PC's,

http://www.tim.id.au/blog/tims-laptop-service-manuals/#toc-toshiba

Under the main Toshiba heading go down to the subheading -
Satellite A10. (A10 is in blue)
In this 'paragraph' go down to the third line, and scroll across to -
L450D, in blue.
Click on L450D.

This is a PDF file. The computer you are using now has Adobe Reader on it, which uses PDF files.
After you click on the file name { L450D } it may take up to 30 seconds before the first page comes up.

Would appreciate it if you would post back in a Comment with your findings.
Regards,
joecoolvette

Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to get a new cable as Toshiba will not sell OEM replacement parts to anyone but an authorized repair center.

This may just as likely be a problem with the sockets/plugs as with the cable itself, as they are rather fragile. It may be worth spending a few bucks for a used cable just to see if it will solve your problem. Also be sure that the thin plastic shim found on the top of most of these cable ends is still there, as they can come off rather easily, and the lack of it will cause a poor connection.

Your other alternatives are (1) Toshiba repair center, or (2) using the external monitor.

Hope that's helpful.

Try Plugging an External Monitor to your SVGA Port on the system.
Then use your function button (Fn) and hit the external monitor button (Looks like a Monitor or TV screen) ...reason for this.
Is you might have your system set to external mode to use a monitor instead of being set to the main screen of your laptop.

Hope this helps.

Perhaps a result of the auto display off. press any key to activate the screen again.

If using the LCD screen, make sure the priority is not set on an external monitor. To do this, press the Fn function key combination to set the display priority.

if you use an external monitor:
1. Check whether the monitor is switched on

2. Check if the power cable is properly connected

3. Check if the cable menguhungkan external monitor and the notebook is connected correctly.

4. Try to set the constrast and brightness on the external monitor

To check if the video card is faulty or the LCD screen.
Connect an external monitor to the laptop's external video port, power up the external monitor first then bootup the laptop. The Windows will automatically switch to the external monitor if the video card is OK. If not then the fault could be the video cable cable/connector or the LCD screen.
Get back to me with the results of this test and I can advise further.

always make all connections first !! after that : switch on the laptop, or else no detection of an external monitor/projection device is possible.
Please check also your bios settings, some can be set to force simultaneous display of external screen and lcd of the laptop.
some laptops also require ddc communication between external connected devices.
Try to use a full wired ( except pin 9) VGA cable.

succes