toshiba laptop black screen only

[footycard steve]

i'm having to write this on my old slow computer as when i switched on my laptop toshiba sat l450-181 this afternoon i just got a black screen no booting up sounds etc i had only used it an hour before and all fine,i'm using it plugged in so no fault with battery on the edge by the keyboard it has 5 lights from left to right tey are amber then 3 solid green and then 5th is flashing green,i think i usually have 4 solid green lights and an amber, the screen is black but as if it has a light behind it ( not completely black as when switched off). i've no idea whats gone wrong i havent dropped it or spilt anything on it just all of a sudden its not working. any ideas? please keep the replies in very simple terms please as i know nothing about computers except the very basics (switching on/off surfing websites etc)

[zee24]

It seems that this problem is with the power settings... strangely. You do not need to re-install windows or anything crazy like that.

Here are the fix steps:
1. Turn off your computer
2. Disconnect every wire from it (including power)
3. Disconnect the battery from the bottom of the computer. There will be two tabs labeled 1 and 2.
4. Re-plug in the power wire. (the battery should not be in the computer)
5. Turn on the power. The screen will work. Choose start windows normally. (if you get that screen)
6. Go to Control Panel -> (Mobile PC) -> Power Options -> Under Balanced choose change plan settings
7. Choose Change advanced power settings
8. Find Processor power management and change the minimum processor state from 5% to 100% for each On battery and Plugged in.
9. Click Apply then OK
10. Shut down you computer.
11. Disconnect the power cord.
12. Re-install the battery on the bottom of the laptop, plug in the power cord, and restart the computer.

You should be good to go.

Alot of the times this will fix your problem. But for me it didn't i had to call my mate to fix it, 1 of the reasons it can happen is because its air vents are being blocked on your lap, duvet etc or by lint and it over heats. Its better to place your laptop on a solid surface.

[zee24]

there are other fixes aswell, just google your question like your title of this thread

[footycard steve]

hi zee,thanks for the reply when you are telling me turn off the computer etc you mean the laptop? the only thing i have connected to it is the power cable as all other wires and cables are in the computer and the router,and just read the bit at the bottom about blocking the vents and i nearly always use it on top of the bed so it looks like it could be something to do with that.

[footycard steve]

i've done steps 1-5 as per instructions but now i'm in control panel as instruction 6 but i cant see mobile pc-power options, i have system and security,network and internet,hardware and sound,programs,user accounts and family safety,appearence and personilization,clock,language and region,ease of access. am i in the right menu? i'll switch the laptop off until i get further help plus i'm also dealing with a leaky water stopcock now.

[footycard steve]

can i use it without the battery in place?

[footycard steve]

control panel for mobile pc

i've done steps 1-5 as per instructions but now i'm in control panel as instruction 6 but i cant see mobile pc-power options, i have system and security,network and internet,hardware and sound,programs,user accounts and family safety,appearence and personilization,clock,language and region,ease of access. am i in the right menu? i'll switch the laptop off until i get further help plus i'm also dealing with a leaky water stopcock now.

just googled a search and it says exactly as advised on step 6 but i dont know where the option is for mobile pc can somebody point me in the right direction please.

[zee24]

hi mate sorry for the late response i looked at this link theres plenty of ways ppl have sorted this problem out.

Black screen upon startup, wont run. [Solved] | Kioskea.net

[zee24]

I use to use my laptop on my bed aswell which made it over heat. None of them fixes helped me tho my m8 had to open up my laptop n remove the lint cloggin up the vents also he did something to the solder on the motherboard with sme heat device kind of like a hair dryer but more powerfull. Sorry dnt know exactly what he did but its working fine now.

I always use it on a solid surface now and have purchased a cooling pad aswell which can help

[footycard steve]

i'm using it without the battery in and it seems to be working fine,i cannot find the option in control panel for mobile pc/power options but all of the other pointers helped so i just need help on re-fitting the battery. i'm resting it on a large hard backed book as its the only thing i could think of.

[zee24]

If your using windows 7 then you don't have 'mobile PC' option just click on the 'Power Options' title and follow the rest of these instructions

6. Go to Control Panel -> (Mobile PC) -> Power Options -> Under Balanced choose change plan settings
7. Choose Change advanced power settings
8. Find Processor power management and change the minimum processor state from 5% to 100% for each On battery and Plugged in.
9. Click Apply then OK
10. Shut down you computer.
11. Disconnect the power cord.
12. Re-install the battery on the bottom of the laptop, plug in the power cord, and restart the computer.