Problem self Solved. BATTERY WAS FLAT. Power failed whilst the lid was closed and still turned on and when the lid was opened, panic! power wasn't charging the battery because I hadn't noticed the battery indicator was showing low, silly me.
I had this problem with my Toshiba L875 and I did exactly what you did (take the battery out and hold down the power key for a long time) I eventually found the problem was a flat battery where the power plug was not fully inserted in the mains side and I hadn't noticed the battery level. I shut...