Need hinge for my tb 120 gateway laptop - Gateway Tablets & eReaders

I suspect it may be a problem with the video cable coming from the convertible tablet, up through the hinged support for the LCD screen, AND/OR the screen Inverter.

I would like you to connect a VGA monitor, to the VGA port on the back of the convertible tablet. The VGA monitor will now be an External Monitor.

[ Looking at the rear of the convertible tablet, start at the Left side.
Vent, USB port, Monitor port. The Monitor port is the VGA port ]

The VGA monitor can be a CRT type, (Looks like a small TV), or a flat LCD screen monitor with a VGA cable.

Notebook OFF, monitor OFF, connect the VGA monitor to the M275's VGA connector. (Port)
Turn the monitor on. If a CRT type, allow it to warm up.

Turn the notebook on.
By the factory default settings, whatever is shown on the convertible tablet's internal monitor, should now be shown on the external monitor.
(VGA monitor)

If not, press, and hold down on the Fn key (On the bottom row of the Keyboard, all the way to the Left), and tap once on the F3 key.
(Top row of Function keys. The F3 key is the Display Toggle-Over Key )

No graphics shown on the external monitor? Hold down on the Fn key again, and tap the F3 key again.
There are at least three options available;

1) Convertible tablet's internal monitor - ONLY
2) Convertible tablet, AND external monitor
3) External monitor - ONLY

If graphics are fine on the external monitor, you have a problem with the video cable, and/or the screen Inverter. At this time we will bypass the LCD screen, and come back to it.

At the bottom/middle of the tablet's LCD screen, is the Hinge. The Hinge Cover is 'T shaped', and has one single Philips screw holding it on.
If you remove the screw, and the Hinge Cover, you will see two wire harnesses.
One Black, the other White.

See that these two cables are plugged in tightly to the connector.

After checking this step come back in a Comment, and state your findings.

Regards,
joecoolvette

[ Additionally;
Here is the Service Manual (Free) for the Gateway M275 Convertible Tablet,

http://www.tim.id.au/blog/tims-laptop-service-manuals/#toc-gateway

Where it states - Gateway 400, go down to the second line, and across to M275. Left-click on M275.
This is a PDF file. It may take up to 30 seconds before the first page comes up.

Yes, the hinge needs replacing.
You may be able to get the part from one of these WEB sites -
LAPTOP PARTS
http://www.nylaptopparts.com/ www.laptoprepairco.com/ www.laptopparts.com.au/ www.laptopking.com/ www.lappy.com.au/ www.excelcomputerinc.com/ www.laptoprepairparts.com/ www.lapzone.com/servlet/StoreFront www.laptoppartsexpert.com/ www.sparepartswarehouse.com/

not sure about documentation - but for parts you might try dakotapcwarehouse.com - my company has found parts for a lot of its older gateway laptops there

the link below should download the button drivers for windows xp on your laptop. if you like you can navigate through gateways support section and find all of the drivers that you need.
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=19587&dscr=Gateway%20M275%20Button%20driver,%20version%205.01.2600.2156&uid=254270972

This may help and may not. It seems there are lots of people having the same problem you are. The best way to get a replacement seems to buy a cheap junked out Gateway and use the hinge from it. However I would be very careful doing this because the one you buy may not have a good hinge. As many people there are with these issues I would contact Gateway to see if they had a replacement part and would ask to file an official complaint. In addition here is a number to a laptop repair company, they will help you find the most cost effective way to fix your laptop. They are good I have used them for parts before. 1 (800) 999-4409

discount laptop battery,here you may get your answer.

search "gateway e-155c lcd swivel assembly" on google or any other search engine and you will find the part that you need.
You will need to do your own replacement, but that is the part that will fix your problem

www.mundocorp.com sells parts for the laptop model we have

There are 4 screws on bottom too.

You can purchase replacement hinges and hinge covers here: http://www.mundocorp.com/m275.html They may be a bit of work to replace. But short of replacing the hinge assembly, it doesn't sound like that is going to move.