Laptop help

[DJWilson]

Hi all,

I posted, well tried to post this on the Toshiba forum but when I post, it doesnt blah blah blah.

If anyone can help on here, please do :)

I was using my laptop earlier when the screen decided to go grey as Windows vista does on an security warning update type of thing.

Nothing appeared, after a 5min wait i powered off and put the power back on.

No screen, just black, the power comes on and the usual process click but nothing!

I've noticed the HDD/ODD light doesnt flash as it usually did?

(The light beside the battery status).

I have a Toshiba satellite L300D - 11V.


Whats wrong with it? How do I do fix? If not how will I get all my files back?


Thanks for your help in advance.

[hammy]

was it doing an update???? if it was then you should not have turned it off.can you start it in safe mode and restore to an earlier time??

[DJWilson]

was it doing an update???? if it was then you should not have turned it off.can you start it in safe mode and restore to an earlier time??


It wasn't updating, just the dimmed screen about to ask for a java update or something but nothing appeared.


Also when I turn it on nothing appears so can't do anything.

[mattydinx]

Also when I turn it on nothing appears so can't do anything.

Nothing appears at all? No Toshiba logo or anything?

If the Toshiba logo does appear, try holding down the F5 key until you hear a click or a beep from the laptop speakers, if it's booting correctly, it should startup in safe mode, where it may (although don't quote me on this) launch the startup repair process if it knows something went wrong.

[DJWilson]

No Toshiba logo or anything, as if it wans't on at all.

[hammy]

take the little watch battery out of the back unplug the power lead and take the main battery out,then press the power button to get rid of any power left in there then insert the watch battery after 15 mins,you may have to reset the setting in your bios but i will help with that

[hammy]

also saying that how did you turn it off???? as doing it the wrong way can fry your hard drive

[DJWilson]

Whats the bios?

By the power button :/

[hammy]

no the bios basically tells the computer how to boot up

[DJWilson]

Whats the watch battery? Thought there was only 1 battery in a laptop?

[hammy]

taking the watch sized battery out resets the bios

[DJWilson]

taking the watch sized battery out resets the bios


What and where is it? lol

[hammy]

you may have to take the back off to get to it as its on the mobo(motherboard) give me 2 seconds just googling your lappy to see where it is

[hammy]

looks like it is soldered to the motherboard,do all the other things i suggested and also plug the power in without the battery then switch on

[DJWilson]

Tried it (minus the watch mattery) and nothing, the same thing happens :/

[Digitalsounds]

Taking the RTC Battery out of a toshiba laptop does not reset the bios. Or it did not used too.

The one thing to try is holding down the F1 key or the F11 key can't remember which does a factory boot. you could try that not sure if they still use this as the satellite range wern't actually built by toshiba they have an amibios or a pheonix bios.

give that a goe see what happens but by the sounds of it you could have a system failure or Hdd failiure.

[DJWilson]

Taking the RTC Battery out of a toshiba laptop does not reset the bios. Or it did not used too.

The one thing to try is holding down the F1 key or the F11 key can't remember which does a factory boot. you could try that not sure if they still use this as the satellite range wern't actually built by toshiba they have an amibios or a pheonix bios.

give that a goe see what happens but by the sounds of it you could have a system failure or Hdd failiure.

Just tried but still a black screen.

System or HDD failure, how much would that cost you reckon?

Would it be possible to get my files back from it?

[Digitalsounds]

Hdd failiure not that expensive subject that you have a recovery disc for the system i doubt if your files will come back if the discs failed

System failure either a new motherboard very costly.

one other thing to try is if you have an external screen plug it into the laptop and see if anything happens as it could be a screen failure, either way if the screen has failed or system board then possibly worth buying a new unit. unless parts for these are cheap on ebay and able to fit these your self but only if you know how or you will regret taking it to bits.

[DJWilson]

This didn't come with a disc :(

Looks like a new laptop, better round some money up before VAT goes up on Tues :mad:

Lucky I don't have any discos nearby lol.

Thanks for all your help people.

[Digitalsounds]

it probably did come with a recovery manager, these days you don't get discs with laptops or systems you have to create them yourself with the supplied software you just tell it to create master discs and you supply the blank media.

Make sure you create these with your new unit if you choose to go that way.

[Excalibur]

Might it be worth taking it to a repairer? It would at least be possible to retrieve any valuable info on it, perhaps.

[Twinspin]

It sounds like a BIOS problem because ive seen this happen before with netbooks. However i strongly recommend that you do not try this unless you know exactly what your doing which is by Flashing the BIOS.

If the laptop is under warranty then I would strongly recommend speaking to one of the technical support team at Toshiba UK if the laptop is still under warranty.

The watch battery is the CMOS battery which is used to power the memory and the real time clock on the computer it also plays a part in the bootup

[hammy]

i have a copy of hirens boot disc(google it) if you feel confident enough to use it,bearing in mind if used incorrectly you could really kill it,also good for getting files off a dead hdd

[DJWilson]

Might it be worth taking it to a repairer? It would at least be possible to retrieve any valuable info on it, perhaps.


Yeah, I'll go to a shop Friday to get check and go from there, if it costs too much I'll just get a new one.

Either way I'm hoping I can get my files back.

[Ecstatic Events]

Exactly the same thing has happened to me today after tidying up a BACK UP Dell D600, Defrag, Cleaning Registry Files, Cache, Temporary Internet Files etc using CC Cleaner . It was working fine yesterday. Today it boots to a grey screen... :confused:

If you find a solution, let me know :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Twinspin]

That hirens boot disc is a good tool. I have that.

But if the screen is not coming on at all and is just blank. I think its a corrupt bios based on previous experience seeing this problem more than once. Then the best option is to flash the BIOS. Its worked for me everytime ive seen this happen.
but im still saying.

Dont do it unless you know how to do it. If you dont it could possibly cause damage to the computer.

[Daryll]

I have just phoned Nathan.
If he removes the laptop HD , and then boots up , if there is still a grey screen , that points to a motherboard issue , if , on the other hand the lappy reports , missing operating system , or a similar message , then I would suspect the HD.

Daryll

[DJWilson]

Thank's for everyones help and the phonecall Daryll.

I'll try a few suggestions later on tonight.

Chcnes are I'll end up buying a new one and using this current one (if cheap to repair) for a spare and/or discos.

[DJWilson]

According to the shop, turns out to be the screen causing the problems.