Toshiba P20 graphics issue

[stevo1210]

A client of mine just sent me a message about her Toshiba P20 laptop. I have a similar one... the P25 so I know the thing inside and out.

Anyway, this is what she wrote in a message to me.

This laptop had a cracked screen originally, so I replaced this at considerable expense. Laptop worked for a while, then all of a sudden no image on the screen. I re-tested the screen & no problems there. The pc starts up & you can hear the XP operating system completing its configuration with its usual jingle. So, I started this up again & pressed F8 in safe mode & it does run in safe mode but with little lines on the screen & did have a binary code of zero's & ones before getting to the F8...( Best I can explain it ).

I'm not sure where to even start with this one until I see it, but what do you guys think it is?

I have a P25 with a faulty screen cable and goes fuzzy but unfuzzes when you move the screen or tap it. Sometimes it plays the retard game and the screen stays black but comes on after I press and unpress the switch that detects if the screen is closed or not... these sound kinda related?

[shovenose]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

I'm assuming the "binary code" was the bios?
I doubt that helps but I don't know the answer :P

[ratdude747]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Moved from General Computer discussion.

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

I was looking for my thread only to realise it had moved. I only noticed we had a notebook forum. Awesome!

Anyway, can you guys help me out with my Toshiba P25 instead? Hard to explain, so watch the video please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7UAx...Lr93P9lVHUBSFH

[selldoor]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Hi Just a thought but the F8 key on my laptop is just above where the screen connector plugs into the motherboard. If the connector is not seated correctly pressing the F8 may be just enough to make a partial connection. It just being coincidence that it is in Safe mode.
Try pressing F8 when ordinary windows is up and running, following the useful but annoying jingle.

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

I just tried that on the P25. No help

[selldoor]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Hi - that was a suggestion for the p20.

The p25, if youve not already tried - open it up and clean the contacts on both end of the screen cable. If it has a separate video card check that it is seated correctly. Clean the screen on off switch.

What does it do with external monitor?

If the p20 screen cable is the same try it on the p25.

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Okay, got the P20 today. It's definitely a graphics card problem. I'm getting large blocky vertical lines that flash even when in the BIOS and also random artifacts.

Since the owner doesn't want a new $250 motherboard, looks like I'll be swapping parts with my P25 then. This one even has a glossy LCD!

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Oh and can someone help me find a service manual for the Toshiba P20/P25? Thanks.

[selldoor]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

http://www.givemefile.net/smanuals/n...llite_p20.html

[mockingbird]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

It _shouldn't_ be the GPU.... It has an FX 5200Go which wasn't known for failing...

This should also be a pre-ROHS laptop, so I'm stumped. Maybe it is the GPU.

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Yup its an FX5200 and definitely before ROHS, first ive ever seen like this too!

[stevo1210]

Re: Toshiba P20 graphics issue

Okay guys... some updates on the progress. Since the client decided that a new motherboard for her P20 (graphics inbuilt to board), she decided to buy a new Dell this time around. On the other hand, I stripped the P20 and took the whole LCD display (inverter and all) and also some plastics over to my P25... and it seems to have solved the no backlight issue! seems like an inverter or screen cable problem all these years.