Solved Toshiba Satellite C55Dt connect to external monitor with a broken screen?

[ajshn]

I have a Toshiba Satellite C55Dt with a currently broken cable to the screen (or something broken haven't figured it out yet). The laptop powers on and i can hear everything on, just the screen is black. I would like to hook it up to an external monitor but it isn't letting me do that. When the screen worked I just plugged it in and it showed up on the external monitor. Now that the screen doesn't work I get nothing, ive tried every function key, different monitors, and cords (vga and hdmi).

Is there something im missing, is it just not possible with this laptop to plug it into an external monitor if there isn't any power going to the screen?

 

[Bill1]

Do you have an owners manual? There may be information there.
Toshiba's site was no help that I could see.

 

[Rustys]

What operating system and version is the system running?

If the Battery can be removed do so and remove the power and press the power button for 30 seconds. Reattach power cord with power and see if the system come up.

When you power on the system nothing come up on the screen?

Does it look like it is even getting lit up may have too look closely at the edges of the screen?

Do you hear beeping coming form the speakers?

Lest try this:
Connect the external Monitor to the system and power it on
Power on the Laptop with it plugged into power

Give it ample time to boot up.​

Now tapping once the FN+F4 key do we have a display?
Repeat (waiting a few minutes between taps to allow the system to register)

 

[phillpower2]

Welcome to PCHF ajshn,

On Toshiba notebooks the toggle function is commonly achieved by pressing down the Fn and the F5 or F6 key both at the same time.

The laptop powers on and i can hear everything on, just the screen is black.

If the above does not work and you do not even get a Toshiba splash screen or a BIOS screen it would suggest serious hardware failure, being that the notebook powers up and that the video is provided by an AMD A8-7410 APU three possible causes come to mind, motherboard or CPU failure and an outside chance bad RAM.

Is the computer covered by any warranty, if not, are you or anyone you know comfortable with opening up a notebook to try removing/replacing the RAM.

 

[ajshn]

Thank you for your replies.
I don't have the manual but I found one online and it only says to just plug in the cable, nothing else.
I think the issue with the screen is a bad cable, which i'm pretty sure got caught in the broken hinge, ive ordered a replacement cable, and if I manage to fix the screen ill replace the hinges too. But in the meantime, i'd like to keep trying to connect it to an external monitor. I've tried rebooting and removing the battery several times.

It is not under warranty, I bought it used, thankfully for very cheap.
Some images: http://imgur.com/U7oZnvq
http://imgur.com/K5ZwGuv

 

[Rustys]

What operating system and version is the system running?

If replacing that wire does not fix it could be that the display screen and or video card its self has gone out.

 

[phillpower2]

I have a Toshiba Satellite C55Dt with a currently broken cable to the screen (or something broken haven't figured it out yet). The laptop powers on and i can hear everything on, just the screen is black. I would like to hook it up to an external monitor but it isn't letting me do that. When the screen worked I just plugged it in and it showed up on the external monitor. Now that the screen doesn't work I get nothing, ive tried every function key, different monitors, and cords (vga and hdmi).

Is there something im missing, is it just not possible with this laptop to plug it into an external monitor if there isn't any power going to the screen?

When and how did the notebooks screen get broken and did getting nothing on an external screen happen right after the damage was caused.

Have you got a link to your exact model of notebook, all the info that I am finding say that the Toshiba Satellite C55DT only has a HDMI port.

Is the computer covered by any warranty, if not, are you or anyone you know comfortable with opening up a notebook to try removing/replacing the RAM.

Can you also let us know the answer to what I have highlighted in blue above.

 

[ajshn]

Laptop Info: http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=1200009050 It has a hdmi and a vga port.
The laptop hinge was broken before I bought it, my friends roommate stepped on it or something. The screen worked then and it could be plugged it into another monitor. Recently the screen went and I just moved the cable a bit and it came back on. But last week it happened again and I couldn't fix it. My new cable arrives the end of this week.
Sorry I missed that question but Its not under warranty, I've already opened the computer and I can try to replace the ram, but it depends on the cost of it, i don't really want to throw money at a computer I paid like 30$ for. (;

Once I get the cable and change it and if it isn't fixed I will consider my next options. If its say the graphics card, and this is probably a stupid question, but i have an extra card for a desktop is there a way to test it with the laptop, obviously it can't fit but could it still be plugged in?

 

[Rustys]

If its say the graphics card, and this is probably a stupid question, but i have an extra card for a desktop is there a way to test it with the laptop,

No, With some laptops the graphics is intergraded into the motherboard so if and when it goes you have to replace the motherboard.

 

[ajshn]

Thanks for answering my dumb questions guys. I'll update again after I get my cable, which should be by this weekend.

 

[Rustys]

Thanks for answering my dumb questions guys. I'll update again after I get my cable, which should be by this weekend.

I have yet to see any dumb questions. Just information that you did not know.

Thank you for keeping us informed.

 

[ajshn]

I received the cable today and popped it in, and I got nada. Since there where other cables and wires in the broken hinge i was wondering if those could cause my issue if they were damaged. I'm not quite sure what the black and white wires are for, but the silver/grey cable pictured leads up to the webcam.
http://imgur.com/a/XFjWd

 

[Rustys]

The laptop hinge was broken before I bought it, my friends roommate stepped on it or something.

Have you checked the screen its self and the motherboard for any damage?

I'm not quite sure what the black and white wires are for, but the silver/grey cable pictured leads up to the webcam.

Are you talking about the back and white ones that are on the last image form the link in post # 12?

If so they are the WIFI antennas.

 

[ajshn]

The screen is fine and the motherboard doesn't appear damaged. Yes I did mean the cords in the pics in post 12, sorry.

 

[Rustys]

The screen is fine and the motherboard doesn't appear damaged. Yes I did mean the cords in the pics in post 12, sorry.

There are several pictures that are in that link in post #12 I was asking if it was this one with the back and white wires that you were asking about. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[ajshn]

Yes that picture. Oopsy. So those are the wifi antennas? That explains why the wifi connection was always bad even though the signal was just fine.
Thanks, I'm just trying to check everything incase there's an easy inexpensive fix before having to pull out the big guns.
So in case someone knows are the silver cables in the other pictures just for the webcam, are they connecting something else?

 

[Rustys]

This one I am taking a guess and if the system has one may be for the touch screen if the system has one, which in my opinion that should not make the monitor come on if disconnected yet stranger things have happened.

 

[ajshn]

Yea theres a touchscreen. It was disabled in device manager a while ago to make the battery have a bit longer of a life, since I never used the touchscreen. Could that be an issue? I don't know why it would just start to be one now as it has been disabled for months.
Then again this laptop has a lot of design flaws. Like the wifi card, and also the hinges, I took the hinges out since they where in the way of the lcd cord, and the metal is far too flimsy. If i fix the steeb the hinges so need to be replaced. Lots of complains of them failing even without someone stepping on it.

 

[Rustys]

Yea theres a touchscreen. It was disabled in device manager a while ago to make the battery have a bit longer of a life, since I never used the touchscreen. Could that be an issue? I don't know why it would just start to be one now as it has been disabled for months.

Being disable will not prevent it form booting. Being physically disconnects like in the picture it may not recognize the cable being attached and that may in turn be why. Do not know if you left the cable unconnected or not and or if it really makes a difference.

Have you tried one stick of RAM at a time in the system yet?

Let me also get another to look at this thread and see what they say. @Madmatt2006

 

[ajshn]

I only unplugged the cable to take a picture. All cables where attached when testing. I will try the ram thing tomorrow. I'm way to tired now and will probably break something if I attempt it it tonight. Thank you for all the help.