what is wrong with my laptop?!

[DarlingNikki]

The screen flickers and eventually goes black, but it's still on and the info is still there. Sometimes it fixes it if I pull out the power cord adn work on battery. But in order to gview the screen again, I need to press the little button that gets pressed whentit closes. (If that makes sense). Forgive me if this post is a little unintellligible, I'm typing with the screen black because I'm sick of pressing that little button, only to get two seconds of screen or less.

What can I do to fix this? It is SO frustrating. And my warantee has expired. Thanks for any advice...

 

[falqon]

That's a hardware problem, pretty expensive to fix if you wanna fix it right. I would try the software (free) solution. What kind of laptop is it? You need to find the power saving settings or whatever they are called in your computer and turn on the button or check mark that says like "do nothing when I close the lid" because right now it's trying to turn off the screen when it thinks you close the lid, and your sensor is messed up.

 

[DarlingNikki]

It's a Toshiba Satellite. But the problem happens for (apparently) no reason. I'll just be typing along and the screen will flicker or just go black. It's when I make it think that I'm closing the screen that the screen comes back, sometimes for a while and sometimes just for a couple of seconds.

 

[Etoile]

I tried using Toshiba's automated help system, but it wanted to know a model number. You might give that a try yourself, with a question like "Why does my screen go black?"

 

[DarlingNikki]

Good idea, that should have been my first step... Unfortunately I couldn't get an answer there. I tried asking Iris (model # 1805 S274) why my screen goes black, why my screen turns off, and why my screen flickers, but if it gave me the answer I am too computer illiterate to realize it applies to me. I hate being this clueless, I really do. Sigh. I hate the scornful looks and condescension I get at the repair places too. Maybe I should take a class or something.

 

[Carnus]

I have seen that problem in other laptops as well as toshiba, the switch that detects if the laptop is closed is faulty, usually just dirty. You can fix it two ways,, one is easier but more drastic.

1. Take the laptop apart and trace the wires to the switch, cut one of them. That way the laptop will never know if the lid is closed, but will most likely fix the issue. Cut it somewhere that leaves you enough wire to put it back together if need be.

2. Clean or replace the switch. Most likely the switch is only dirty, clean it with alchohol or finger nail polish remover "unscented cheap stuff works best" then put it back together and try it.

Good luck

Carnus

 

[falqon]

It's a Toshiba Satellite. But the problem happens for (apparently) no reason. I'll just be typing along and the screen will flicker or just go black. It's when I make it think that I'm closing the screen that the screen comes back, sometimes for a while and sometimes just for a couple of seconds.

There are some ideas to try before you go cutting wires, cleaning is a good idea though, did that help? BTW do you have a little hourglass or light bulb looking icon the lower right corner or your screen (by the clock), some toshiba's do. I don't personally own one, but I have seen them. If so you might be able to try something.

 

[methpez]

Laptop problems

HI I thought i would throw my 2 cents in just for fun. IF its running hot it could be shutting its self off to protect the electronics. If this is the case it could be from dust in the fan or heat sink in side or from a bad fan. Or you could just be in some realy hot weather and useing it alot. Another problem with older laptops is that the wires connecting the display with the body become worn from the opening and closing action. The repair for this is quite expensive.


I hope this helps some. If you would like to pm me with more details I would be happy to help if I can.