Toshiba Laptop Monitor doesn't always turn on

[DouglasFir7]

I recently got a used laptop, but after a month the monitor does not always turn on, even though it appears to be running, usually banging the small strip between the keyboard and monitor gets it going again or banging the whole laptop lightly on a table will get it going. It has an equal chance of happening whether on battery power or plugged in and once it is on, it will stay on. When it does turn on it starts from the initial motherboard screen (in this case Toshiba splash screen).

Is this a sign of a failing motherboard? Or what can be causing the monitor to not always turn on?

The laptop is a Toshiba M35x-S329, Windows XP, 1.6GHz Centrino, 1GB RAM, 15.4" monitor. The laptop is about 3 or 4 years old.

[DouglasFir7]

Now it turns off after it is on for about one minute....this laptop is useless unless I can figure out a solution.

[M_Six]

The monitor is most likely attached to the mobo by a ribbon cable right under the keyboard. See if you can find a manual online that will show you how to remove the keyboard. It's easy on a Dell. Never tried it on a Toshiba. Check the cable for damage or a loose connection.

[DouglasFir7]

Allright, I went ahead and pulled out the strip between the keyboard and monitor (turns out I didn't need to take out the keyboard) to get the the connection where the monitor goes to the motherboard, took it all the way out and put it back in nicely. Does not do anything different and it continues to go off after about a minute of being on.

I have also determined that it is not the hard drive because I took it out and it will start to run SLAX - a linux distribution that runs from CD. But again it will just turn off.

I've also tried just battery and just ac power - same results - have to bang it during start up and turns off after a minute.

Any other ideas before I may have to retire the laptop?