Need help with my X205

I've had my X205-S9349 since 2007 and I've had a lot of problems with it that I eventually managed to fix. I fear this might be the end of the line.

Two nights ago I shut it down normally after watching a movie. The next morning it wouldn't boot up. The screen did not, just solid black. The Satellite LED on the bottom left corner did not light up either. The AC LED, power LED, battery LED and HDD LED were the only things lit, Caps Lock or Num Lock lights did not work. When starting the HDD would whirl and click once but nothing else. There were no diagnostic beeps either.

I've tried it with the battery only and the same thing happens. I drained the battery then recharged it but no luck. I've run it with only AC power and still nothing. I've tested each of the RAM sticks individually as well as swapping out for the original RAM (I upgraded) but no change. Strangely, when I only had one RAM slot occupied, the power LED would blink. My HDD still works since I placed it into another Toshiba laptop and it booted just fine.

I'm thinking that something might have shorted but I really have no idea. Has anyone run into this problem or have any suggestions?

 

Sounds like the video card has failed, but the only way to test that is with another video card that was made for the X205 series laptop. They sell them on ebay and the price varies quite a bit. Search X205 laptop parts and perhaps you will find one with a broken LCD or similar minor problem that you could use for a parts machine. The same mainboard was used in all of the X205's.
How to disassemble the X205 series laptop: http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-X205/take-apart-laptop-1.htm

 

I considered that but wouldn't the laptop start up as usual, except I just wouldn't be able to see anything? The only thing running are the fans.

 

Try an external monitor, and see what happens.
If all fails try booting up then close the screen leave the external monitor plugged in. see if u see the image being transferred.
Let me know I will walk you through more testing.

 

If the hard drive light is lighting up and flickering like the drive is being read during the boot up sequence it shows that the board is likely ok, but that is still not a guarantee.

Normally when the main board is dead that light will not come on at all.

 

There is no PC signal is the message I get on the external. Tried it with the lid opened and closed and also did Fn+F5 to make sure the screen was off.

It does light up for a second or two but that's it. The HDD makes a sound as if it's being read initially but then goes quiet. It's never been quiet on a normal bootup.

 

I had this laptop, it died on me also, they said the videocards and motherboard needed to be replaced. as you can see i got a m17x to replace that stupid brick.

 

Obvious waste of money is obvious.