whats wrong with my laptop?

Question

I couldbe just looking at somthing and doing nothing with my computer on and then all of a sudden the screen will turn black but its like i can still see a little bit but its really really dark what do i do to fix this problem

Answer 1

If you can shine a flashlight at the screen, and still see the information displayed, then it's your backlighting going out.

If you're using Win XP, your power settings are under control panel:

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Click 'Start' button
Click 'Control Panel' on the menu
{'Control Panel' window will appear}
{If you have 'Category view' set:}
Click 'Performance and Maintenance'
Click 'Power Options'
{If you have 'Classic view' set}
Click 'Power Options'
{'Power Options' window will appear}
Select 'Power Schemes' tab
Look at the drop-down next to 'Turn off monitor'
Change this 'Never'
Click OK
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However, if this is happening randomly, it's my hunch that it's not a power setting.

The backlighting is like a light bulb - It can burn out. Replacing it can be expensive, and often, (but not always), it's cheaper to replace the entire system - especially if it's an older laptop.

That said - Toshiba laptops had a design erm, 'feature' where the cable going to the backlighting would sporadically shift and the backlighting would go out completely at random.

If the computer is no longer under warranty and you're feeling brave, (and have a delicate touch), you can pop off the case and see if it's the cable. This was discussed on the Toshiba support forums here: http://community.compuserve.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?msg=74742.2&nav=messages&webtag=ws-laptop

Answer 2

is it a toshiba? I had the same thing on mine, i ended up having to put it into sleep and restart it, cause i couldnt figure out what the problem was. There must be a setting for that hidden in the power managment.

Answer 3

did you accidently switch the brightness, also check the power settings on the laptop

Answer 4

Sounds like you backlight is failing. Not much you can do other than have it serviced.

Answer 5

make sure its on