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View Full Version : Toshiba Tecra 8100 - video card not working

bddotnet
4-8-06, 01:48 PM
I have a Toshiba Tecra 8100 with Windows XP installed on it. The onboard video card appears to be bad, but when I hook an external CRT monitor to the existing video card port, the monitor shows the XP screen and boots just fine.

My question is...is the video card inside the laptop replaceable?

Thanks in advance!!
IanS
4-8-06, 02:52 PM
Generally, replacing internal parts of a laptop is not possible by a regular user.

It sounds however that video card is working or you'd not get an image on the external CRT monitor. The 'bad' part sounds like the display TFT screen, which isn't user replaceable either.
Doc C
4-9-06, 12:20 AM
It could also be the cable between the screen and the laptop itself.

Sounds like it's gonna have to go in the shop.
bddotnet
4-10-06, 10:14 AM
The screen is on ebay for sale. Is this something I can't do? If I know exactly what I have to do to remove and replace the TFT screen, I can do it. I've built several computers from scratch (desktops).
IanS
4-10-06, 10:45 AM
The screen is on ebay for sale. Is this something I can't do? If I know exactly what I have to do to remove and replace the TFT screen, I can do it. I've built several computers from scratch (desktops).I don't know - but if you're willing to risk the computer (after a full data backup) not working again, go for it.

Before I tried I would see if I could dismantle the existing laptop and detach the screen.
It would depend a great deal on the price of the screen on E-bay, is it worth it?
Autoload
4-10-06, 12:25 PM
I have replaced many screens on laptops. Excluding replacments that were due the screen being physically cracked from being dropped or poorly packed in a bag, 9 out of 10 times the problem was "cookage" on the mobo where the ribbon connects. Thus rendering the laptop a psuedo-desktop or a door stop.
bddotnet
4-10-06, 03:46 PM
I have been instructed as to how to remove the screen and replace it. The ebay price is $85, including shipping. The client has paid to have the memory, hard drive and other upgradable components upgraded. He wishes to keep the laptop, so he feels it IS worth it.
IanS
4-11-06, 07:57 AM
Well, $85 is a lot less than a new computer - even a desktop. So, go for it.
bddotnet
4-11-06, 11:43 AM
I'm going to open the laptop by removing the bottom first and make sure the connections and motherboard components have not been fried before purchasing the new screen. There's no sense in replacing the screen if the connections or mobo components are suspect.
mushiking
5-23-06, 08:38 AM
Yeah definatliy open the laptop first and make sure that the ribbon on the mother board has not broken off any where , (This is usally a problem with Compaqs) :)
bddotnet
5-23-06, 10:00 AM
If the ribbon is broken, is it replacable?
IanS
5-23-06, 10:35 AM
Look carefully to see if the cable is soldered on or pushed on. If it's pushed on some way, then if you can get a replacement from Tosh then yes, you should be able to replace it.
Doc C
5-23-06, 10:43 AM
It should be. I know it is on the laptops that we roll out at work.
bddotnet
5-24-06, 11:30 AM
Thanks guys and gals! I'll let you know what I find out!