I am having a problem with my Toshiba M35x-s329 video and the DC plug
I am having a problem with my Toshiba M35x-s329 video and the DC plug issue you discuss on here.
My screen recently went blank during a shutdown without apparent cause. Here are all the things I have done to try to remedy this problem:
1) After reading about the loose DC plug issues on here. I decided to buy a NEW system board. The new board has a better DC connector – so obviously the manufacturer has addressed this issue. I was going to build a second laptop from the parts.2) My screen still is blank (or barely able to see) – I have attempted to plug in an external monitor and I see the windows splash screen on the monitor but not the laptop screen – and then after that NOTHING.
3) I ordered a NEW inverter and replaced that as well…and STILL have the same thing happening. I have tried booting to safe mode – doing a boot from a CD (i.e. windows XP) and also from the Toshiba Recovery CD…the screen never gets more than DIM – I CAN see the splash screen BARELY…so there is some power getting to the screen.
I am at my wits end here. I have spent $400 already on parts and my laptop is still not working. Can you offer some suggestions other than a NEW screen or CCFL (which I don’t know how to repair)?
It looks like the system board works fine because you can get a video output on the external monitor. Most likely you cannot boot to the desktop on the external monitor because it switches back to the internal video after the Windows splash screen. Try to press Fn+F5 combination to switch the video to the external monitor. If the system board is fine and the operating system works fine, you should be able to use the laptop with the external monitor.
You suspected the FL inverter board and you were absolutely correct. I think in most cases a new FL inverter would resolve the problem with dim video.
Here is what I think. It is very unlikely that 2 different system boards have the same problem, so I wouldn’t suspect the system board. You’ve replaced the FL inverter board but it didn’t fix the problem. I think there is a possibility that the FL inverter board you’ve purchased is bad, not likely but possible. There are 2 more parts related to the backlight – the video cable and the LCD screen itself (the CCFL inside the screen). It is possible that the video cable is defective and doesn’t provide any power to the inverter board. In this model the video cable has 2 different channels. First channel – the cable that connects to the left side of the inverter – is responsible for providing the power to the FL inverter board and the second channel – flat cable that connects to the back of the LCD – is responsible for providing actual data to the screen. If the first channel is bad (or the inverter is bad) the backlight will not work, but you still would be able to see a faint image on the screen. It is just my guess that the video cable could be the culprit.
And finally, the LCD screen itself. I know that some people can replace the backlight bulb and get the screen back to a normal condition. We usually replace the entire screen because the backlight bulb is very fragile. I assume that you can find a company that replaces the laptop screen backlight if you search on the internet.
Toshiba Satellite M35X guides. How to open the laptop case and take apart the display assembly.
November 22nd, 2006 at 6:03 am
I’ve got a Toshiba Satellite M35X-S163 with an odd problem. If you try to boot up the laptop with AC power, the screen is very dim. Booting with battery power is flawless. I’ve checked the power settings via the power utility and can’t see anything wrong there. The laptop performs fine otherwise. It is out of warranty or I would be bugging Toshiba about this! Thanks for your help in advance.
December 15th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Just fixed three M35 M35X in a row with the same problem, guys. I couldnt find anything online that gave me ANY CLUE. Video card is bad, right? Wrong. PASS IT ON TO OTHER BLOGS PLEASE, I will get it started here.
Heres the fix for the no video issue:
This requires access to the cpu and heatsink, remove the keyboard and palmrest to access the motherboard, I think you have to remove the screen too. Remove the heatsink and cpu. Reseat the cpu, heres the kicker, press firmly on the center of the cpu while turning the locking screw. Pressing the cpu hard, allows the locking mechinism to get a good bite. Turn the locking screw hard into the end of the turn. Hook up the heatsink and set it back on top of the cpu. Press down on the heatsink over the cpu, fairly strong pressure.
Now test the motherboard, use just cpu, heatsink, memory, power button board and cable and external monitor, you can use your screen instead by just hooking up the cable to motherboard, leave the screen laying flat on the table. Now push the power button with one hand and the other is still applying pressure to the heatsink, no you dont need to screw it down yet. Keep reseating the cpu with varying degrees of pressure if you dont get it go the first time.
The trick will be to get it all assembled with the same results.
There seems to be a problem with the cpu seating correctly, it must come loose and the laptops exhibit the symtoms of no video. It might even be neccessary to insert a wafer thin piece of copper or something in between the cpu and heatsink if the heatsink doesnt apply enough pressure to cpu to keep it seated deep enough to run the computer.
Am I a genius or what, lol. I am not, but I am sure surprised no one else has posted this info over the years.
Hope this helps someone with this frustrating problem with the M35 M35x and many more models.
Hope this helps someone.
November 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Read this and then read it again! Greg you saved me some $$$!!! Thanks! This is the fix I have been looking for! It works like a charm! I was going to get another board but now Ill just use this one.
See my problem started with a DC jack as most, then the video went out. I replaced the jack and the battery was charging but guess what? No Video! I tried Gregs little tip now my satellite is up and running! Im posting this with it right now!
Tips hat to Greg! Learn a new trick every day!
# greg Says:
December 15th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Just fixed three M35 M35X in a row with the same problem, guys. I couldnt find anything online that gave me ANY CLUE. Video card is bad, right? Wrong. PASS IT ON TO OTHER BLOGS PLEASE, I will get it started here.
Heres the fix for the no video issue:
This requires access to the cpu and heatsink, remove the keyboard and palmrest to access the motherboard, I think you have to remove the screen too. Remove the heatsink and cpu. Reseat the cpu, heres the kicker, press firmly on the center of the cpu while turning the locking screw. Pressing the cpu hard, allows the locking mechinism to get a good bite. Turn the locking screw hard into the end of the turn. Hook up the heatsink and set it back on top of the cpu. Press down on the heatsink over the cpu, fairly strong pressure.
Now test the motherboard, use just cpu, heatsink, memory, power button board and cable and external monitor, you can use your screen instead by just hooking up the cable to motherboard, leave the screen laying flat on the table. Now push the power button with one hand and the other is still applying pressure to the heatsink, no you dont need to screw it down yet. Keep reseating the cpu with varying degrees of pressure if you dont get it go the first time.
The trick will be to get it all assembled with the same results.
There seems to be a problem with the cpu seating correctly, it must come loose and the laptops exhibit the symtoms of no video. It might even be neccessary to insert a wafer thin piece of copper or something in between the cpu and heatsink if the heatsink doesnt apply enough pressure to cpu to keep it seated deep enough to run the computer.
Am I a genius or what, lol. I am not, but I am sure surprised no one else has posted this info over the years.
Hope this helps someone with this frustrating problem with the M35 M35x and many more models.
Hope this helps someone.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I have the Satellite M35X-S329, when i turn the computer on the blue power button lights up, and im asuming its working?? but the screen doesn’t turn on. its just stays black, like its off. can anyone help me?? do i need a new screen you think??