Toshiba Laptop Dim Screen - HELP!

[brentalous]

So I've got a Toshiba Satellite S55-C5274 laptop that randomly started to, what I thought was, have a backlight issue. The screen displays but it's extremely hard to see unless at the right angle. Thinking the backlight went, I simply bought a new screen, replaced it, and the exact same issue.

I thought it was strange, but stranger things have happened, so I replaced the replacement screen and still -- same exact problem.

There is no inverter on this unit, and I've tried different RAM, re-seated ribbon cables, everything. If I hook up an external monitor via HDMI it displays fine, but I cannot seem to figure out why the screen is having this issue.

I haven't replaced the motherboard yet because it's damn near $240 and that's my last resort.

Suggestions or any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Prostar Computer]

Only other component to consider - and it would be much cheaper than a board replacement - is the LCD video cable. Not sure what your Toshiba uses, but if it's an LED backlit screen and made within the last 5-ish years, I'd guess it's either an LVDS or an eDP cable.

 

[geofelt]

Laptops can run in battery saving mode when not plugged in.
Among other things, the display is dimmed to save energy.

Look in windows power settings.
If you are playing while plugged in, set to performance mode and display brightness to 100%
You can also set 100% brightness on battery at the cost of battery run time.

 

[brentalous]

Laptops can run in battery saving mode when not plugged in.
Among other things, the display is dimmed to save energy.

Look in windows power settings.
If you are playing while plugged in, set to performance mode and display brightness to 100%
You can also set 100% brightness on battery at the cost of battery run time.

Definitely not this. Everything set to maximum in power settings and I even pulled the hard drive just to see if I'd get a post on the laptop's display. No dice.

 

[brentalous]

Only other component to consider - and it would be much cheaper than a board replacement - is the LCD video cable. Not sure what your Toshiba uses, but if it's an LED backlit screen and made within the last 5-ish years, I'd guess it's either an LVDS or an eDP cable.

Yeah I suppose that would be worth a shot if I can find it available somewhere, before dropping the $$ on the board.

Edit: Found it for about $30, so I'll get the cable in tomorrow. Wish me luck haha.

 

[brentalous]

Only other component to consider - and it would be much cheaper than a board replacement - is the LCD video cable. Not sure what your Toshiba uses, but if it's an LED backlit screen and made within the last 5-ish years, I'd guess it's either an LVDS or an eDP cable.

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for suggesting the video cable. The old one looked perfect, but that was definitely the culprit. Cheers mate!

 

[Prostar Computer]

Just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for suggesting the video cable. The old one looked perfect, but that was definitely the culprit. Cheers mate!

Glad to hear the good news! Good work on getting it all sorted.