I have a Toshiba Satellite A105-S2716 laptop. I have it for the past 2 years now. Off late, after using the laptop for about 10 mins, the screen starts flickering and it becomes totally black . There are also horizontal lines that show up on the screen. I have to then shut off the laptop and restart it after 5 mins. The problem resurfaces after using the laptop for another 10 mins. Would you be able to diagnose the problem and what would I need to do to fix this. Thanks!

When it goes black, try holding the screen under a bright light and tilting it at various angles. Can you see a faint image? If so, the backlight is probably dying. If not, the LCD or video chip may be damaged. In either case, you will need to replace a part. The backlight is the cheaper repair. Check eBay for replacements. -Ryan Adams http://RyanTAdams.com

I suspect it's the LCD inverter that powers the back light. The Inverter is an electronic device and subject to problems due to temperature. Sounds like the Backlight is OK. Though it could be both. Check this link for the inverter. http://www.become.com/shop?q=toshib... Google search revealed problems with this model and Backlights. There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.

Boris, First, make sure you have the latest bios update. I have the same laptop and mine was exhibiting the same behavior about 8 months ago. I replaced the inverter as the symptoms dictated, only to find out that the problem still occurred. I finally tried a bios update after not finding anything on the toshiba website. I updated to version 2.00 and problem was fixed. Its worth a try as the update procedure is easy.

i have an A105 also but im using a newer model but my old A105 had windows xp as well my display did the same i found out it might not be as much as the backlight as your hard drive. first update all your drivers even the non display related then if it still does it you should check it into a shop or call toshiba at 1-800-457-7777 (1-800-toshiba) they can help you and another problem is the computer has recieved a virus and its starting at the display/monitor drivers and system files and one by one shutting it down which tends to start acting the way you decribe and if you dont run a virus check or reinstall windows xp it will work its way through the entire computer thus resulting in ultimate failure which is what happend to my first A105 good luck and i also wanted to let you know that the new A205s are extremelly nice

I had the same model Satellite A105 S2716 and I had the same exact issue within 1 year of buying it. I bought the laptop in January, and the computer started showing this issue in July. First i suspected it may be due to heatsink and as you said, the display would come back if i switched if off for 10 mins. Since it was under warranty, i sent it back and they seem to have fixed it. But NO. The laptop gave me the same exact issue the next summer. But this time shutdown and cooldown and restart didn't help. Here is what i did : I connected to my TV using S-Video and was happy to see it work with an external video. I tried to bring it up in safe mode and kept changing the video from notepad to television to notepad and suddenly the LCD worked fine in safe mode. Then i uninstalled the Intel Graphics Card Driver and wow, it worked in normal mode. It still gives me issues during startup, but if i keep changing the video ( fn + F5) i get it to work then on.