Since you diagnosed by using an external VGA monitor, you now know the fault lies in either the Video Cable, or the Display Assembly.
Your graphics chipset is good.
(Also known as GPU. Graphics Processing Unit )
A) Video Cable:
(Toshiba = LCD FL Cable )
See if the connections are good. Check the motherboard side connection of the Video Cable, AND the LCD screen side connection.
A loose connection can do this.
1)
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L35/taking-apart-laptop-1.htm2)
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L35/remove-notebook-screen.htm(On both links above you can click on the photos to enlarge )
Observe the sheath of the Video Cable for obvious signs of damage.
If the cable looks pinched, stretched, or torn, the tiny wires inside the cable may be damaged also.
Best method is to remove the Video Cable, and perform a continuity test of the wires inside the cable, with a multimeter.
(An economical unit can be purchased for around $8 to $12.
Analog or digital is fine )
B) Display Assembly:
Video Cable checks out OK;
1) Check the connections to the screen Inverter board.
Make sure they are tight. Make sure the Inverter board does not appear to be damaged.
2) Screen Inverter board:
Primer;
An LCD screen does not produce light. It needs an additional light source.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCD_screenA Backlight is the additional light source.
A Backlight is usually a CCFL, or a series of LED lights.
The Toshiba Satellite L35-S2161 Notebook PC, uses a CCFL for a Backlight. (Uses 1 CCFL)
CCFL stands for Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp
Similar to Fluorescent lighting used in homes, and businesses, but on a MUCH smaller scale.
(Average size is 2mm Thick, and is close to the width of the LCD screen in question, Long )
A screen Inverter converts the power (Electricity) from the laptop, for the Backlight and LCD screen.
It is located behind the Display Mask, (Display Bezel), and mounted towards the bottom of the LCD screen.
http://www.zkarlo.com/selected-zkarlo-part/inverter-board-p2215.phpA bad screen Inverter usually causes a garbled display, or doesn't light the Backlight up.
To test a screen Inverter you need a sensitive multimeter, or use a spare Backlight bulb that is known to be good.
Bulb lights up the Inverter is good, the Backlight in the LCD screen assembly, is bad.
[ The LCD screen is composed of layers. These layers are held in place by a metal Screen Frame. {Resembles a picture frame }
The Screen Frame comes apart.
Screws are removed, and the Screen Frame comes apart in four pieces, (Four sides), or the Screen Frame comes apart in two pieces as an Upper half, and Lower half.
http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L35/big/satellite-L35-screen-08.jpgThe Backlight bulb is taped to one side of the LCD screen layers, and is under that side of the Screen Frame.
The LCD screen layers MUST be kept aligned, as they were from the factory. For this reason alone, it is tedious for an experienced technician, and is usually not done at the consumer, or DIY level.
http://www.zkarlo.com/selected-zkarlo-part/lcd-cable-p2216.phpMore in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette
Since the laptop is only 3 years old, I take it that it is a LCD screen. Not computer savy! What data cable would I be looking for to cause this problem, the 30 pin connector from the motherboard to the module?
Since the laptop is only 3 years old, I take it that it is a LCD screen. Not computer savy! What data cable would I be looking for to cause this problem, the 30 pin connector from the motherboard to the module?
Had the same problem with my Toshiba L35-S2151, tapped laptop and it went away. Finally stayed pink all the time. It is the connector right behind the screen. It only pulled out a little and that is all it takes to get the pink screen. Pulled connector out and reconnected. Then I replaced the tape with a new piece to hold wire and connector. Solved the problem.
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