Very weird problem - not your average black screen

So, I finally broke down and decided to ask for help on this. I have a good amount of experience and have not been able to get this to work consistently. The laptop is admittedly pretty beat up, but it works without a hitch once it's booted. It seems like complete luck getting it to work as if it starts up when it's done frustrating me. I need it as a node for an Adhoc project and it would be great if it could work normally again. 
Laptop:
Toshiba M305 w/ Turion x2 and Radeon graphics. 
I don't think it makes a difference but I'm running Debian on it with an SSD. I've also replaced the original keyboard. The problem started months after these changes after the laptop took a hit off the bed (carpet). I get a black screen as soon as I turn it on after shutting it down. The screen won't turn on but I hear the DVD drive make its normal noise and the fan spins. If I'm persistent enough with a combination of below tactics or just plain luck it will start back up and work perfect.
What I've tried to no avail:
-removing the battery and the power and holding down the power to drain the capacitors
-taking out one of both memory modules (i think it does the POST because it beeps when there's no memory)
-removing the hard drive
Things I don't think it is and why:
-don't think it's the screen because when it works it lights up fine, also it has the same issue when plugged into a vga display
-don't think it's the hard drive nor the memory as it has the same problem with either off
I'm inclined to think it's a MoBo problem? But then why would it work perfectly fine when it feels like it... I would think nothing is fried. The next thing I was going to try is removing the CMOS battery to reset the BIOS settings and while it's open check for loose connectors I guess. 
Any help is truly appreciated! Let me know if there's any other info I can provide. Thanks.
-Dan

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Computer-Troubleshooting/black-screen-after-turn-on-or-reboot/m-p/6775
^ There is a mention in there of a problem with faulty switch or something, related to whether or not the machine can tell the lid is open.   If it works sometimes, that plus it was jolted in a fall might say loose connection someplace.
irisvista.com shows pictures of disassembling various Toshibas, in case you hadn't found that site yet.

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    ****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
    ****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
    ****I don't work for HP****
    Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

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    Message was edited by: malcolm payne

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