[SOLVED] Toshiba display goes dark after logging in

Masland · 12-01-2008, 11:44 AM

My sister in law has a Toshiba Satellite A215-S4807 with Vista OS. After booting up, she logs in with her password and the display immediately goes dark. However, when we hit Ctrl Alt Del, the display shows normally for the regular commands, including Start Task Manager. When we hit Esc, the screen is dark again. Doesn't appear to be a hardware issue, I think.

She has other issues with this, too, including the sound doesn't work now even though the device mgr says all is well.

Plus, she used to be able to run Comcast videos from their site, but can't now.

Ideas?

**TriggerFinger** · 12-01-2008, 12:56 PM

Have you tried Startup repair or at least go back to a previous restore point?

Masland · 12-01-2008, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the idea. I haven't done so -- can't get the monitor to stay lit, although I found that using Task Manager it allowed me to open up programs and the screen stays running fine for those apps. Could I access the start up repair and/or system restore via that avenue?

**TriggerFinger** · 12-01-2008, 01:03 PM

I think you can do the Startup Repair using the Vista CD or F11 (?) to access recovery partition. Please check Users Guide on exact function key.

Masland · 12-01-2008, 01:12 PM

Will check that out. (I'm obviously using a different computer now for this discussion and need to catch up with her to work on hers again.) appreciate your help!

Masland · 12-02-2008, 12:49 AM

Believe we resolved both the monitor and sound issues by using her subscription to the Microsoft Onecare service that scanned her system, addressing several registry issues among other things. Plus, she had not updated her Vista OS via Microsoft. Once these items were handled, the computer monitor seems to be working well and the sound system was also working.

Now, if we can just figure out why the Comcast video failure is occurring. One thing at a time, I guess. It is possible that your suggestion of Startup repair or at going back to a previous restore point may help here. Given that the monitor problem seems to be OK now, I should probably close out this thread and open up another for the Comcast issue if we can't fix it.

Again, thanks for your help!

12-01-2008, 11:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Masland Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp and Vista	[SOLVED] Toshiba display goes dark after logging in My sister in law has a Toshiba Satellite A215-S4807 with Vista OS. After booting up, she logs in with her password and the display immediately goes dark. However, when we hit Ctrl Alt Del, the display shows normally for the regular commands, including Start Task Manager. When we hit Esc, the screen is dark again. Doesn't appear to be a hardware issue, I think. She has other issues with this, too, including the sound doesn't work now even though the device mgr says all is well. Plus, she used to be able to run Comcast videos from their site, but can't now. Ideas?

12-01-2008, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,802 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Toshiba display goes dark after logging in Have you tried Startup repair or at least go back to a previous restore point? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

12-01-2008, 01:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Masland Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp and Vista	Re: Toshiba display goes dark after logging in Thanks for the idea. I haven't done so -- can't get the monitor to stay lit, although I found that using Task Manager it allowed me to open up programs and the screen stays running fine for those apps. Could I access the start up repair and/or system restore via that avenue?

12-01-2008, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,802 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Toshiba display goes dark after logging in I think you can do the Startup Repair using the Vista CD or F11 (?) to access recovery partition. Please check Users Guide on exact function key. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

12-01-2008, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Masland Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp and Vista	Re: Toshiba display goes dark after logging in Will check that out. (I'm obviously using a different computer now for this discussion and need to catch up with her to work on hers again.) appreciate your help!

12-02-2008, 12:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Masland Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: xp and Vista	Re: Toshiba display goes dark after logging in Believe we resolved both the monitor and sound issues by using her subscription to the Microsoft Onecare service that scanned her system, addressing several registry issues among other things. Plus, she had not updated her Vista OS via Microsoft. Once these items were handled, the computer monitor seems to be working well and the sound system was also working. Now, if we can just figure out why the Comcast video failure is occurring. One thing at a time, I guess. It is possible that your suggestion of Startup repair or at going back to a previous restore point may help here. Given that the monitor problem seems to be OK now, I should probably close out this thread and open up another for the Comcast issue if we can't fix it. Again, thanks for your help!