Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Accessless on May 29, 2008, 03:36:14 PM

Title: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on May 29, 2008, 03:36:14 PM
Ok the machine is a Toshiba Satellite Pro L100 PSLA4. Problem occurred during a BIOS update from the official Toshiba website. I downloaded the zip file, extracted it and activated the .exe file inside. The window opened by the .exe was a bios flashing program, the .exe also simultaneously wrote a new bios file to a temporary folder. When tried to use the program all I got was an error saying that it couldn't find the new bios to input. I tried again only to get the same error. I then left the laptop for several minutes and when I returned, I found a blank unresponsive laptop. By unresponsive I mean an obvious lack of bios functions i.e. power LED's not changing when plugging in of unplugging from the mains and the fact that I had to pull the battery out to turn the machine off. When the machine is turned on now all it does is check the drives and restarts (no display, no beeps)

In summary:

1. BIOS update failed
2. Fault occurred whilst user was absent
3. Lappy don't work anymore...

What do I do, the first thing that came to mind was reset the BIOS, one problem it's a laptop and I can't find the RTC battery or a jumper switch. Help
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on May 29, 2008, 06:38:15 PM
I hate to tell you this, but flashing the BIOS is normally done as a last resort.

If your computer was working fine without it...then flashing the BIOS wasn't really needed.  Just because there's a BIOS update available at the manufacturer's website, doesn't mean you should install it.

Also...when you flash the BIOS...you're flashing a BIOS chip...so trying to find the RTC battery will not help you.  That will only reset the CMOS.

What you need to do is set the BIOS back to what it was before you did the update...so hopefully you know what the previous version was.  You may be able to find it on the manufacturer's website.  If you do...you should be able to create a bootable diskette to flash your BIOS back to its previous version.

That's about all I can help you with, partner...Good Luck!
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on May 30, 2008, 03:01:27 AM
Thanks, just one thing tho. The laptop doesn't have a floppy disk drive and neither does my PC. Can this still be done on a USB flash drive or CD-ROM?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on May 30, 2008, 04:10:14 AM
It would be nice if the laptop had a floppy drive...I'm not sure if the manufacturer provides a bootable CD version of the flash...have you checked?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on May 30, 2008, 06:13:44 AM
I found a CD bootable program by this guy: http://www.bootdisk.com/bios.htm

But the laptop just restarts over and over again (the kind of restart where the BIOS is set to default settings so no screen or beebs)
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on May 30, 2008, 06:53:41 AM
Can you get into the BIOS setup at all?

If not, can you change the boot sequence by watching the screen at boot to see what Function key you need to press in order to change the boot sequence?

This is usually F2 or F12, depending on the computer.

If that doesn't work...try holding down the "C" key on your keyboard while the CD is in the drive during boot.
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on May 30, 2008, 06:58:30 AM
I have zero control over the machine, other than the power switch. No BIOS, no display, no beeps, nothing...

If you need anymore description of the problem pull out your CPU and try running your PC. That should perfectly emulate the problem I'm having. (Without the restaring posibly tho)
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on May 30, 2008, 07:07:33 AM
Okay...so we know this all happened after the BIOS update, correct?

I've been to Toshiba's site and can't find any documentation on that model Satellite Pro...not even any driver downloads.

I would think...to resolve this issue, we need to see if we can find a replacement BIO chip from the manufacturer of the motherboard...or Toshiba.

Can you send me the link where you obtained the original BIOS update from Toshiba's site?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on May 30, 2008, 07:10:58 AM
http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/tracker.jsp?file=http%3a%2f%2fsupport1.toshiba-tro.de%2ftedd-files2%2f0%2fbios-20070807154531.zip

Whoa thats a big link!
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on May 30, 2008, 07:17:36 AM
Have you tried the following procedure from Toshiba:

Option 2: Update with CD-ROM



Extract the zip file containing the BIOS upgrade to a temporary folder.

In the temporary folder three sub folders will be generated. "docs", "Update - 3,5' Disk", "Update - CD-R or CD-RW"

How to make a bootable CD-ROM please read the *.pdf file in the "docs" folder.

Ensure the Notebook is connected to the mains.

Turn the Notebook off.

Place the CD-ROM containing the BIOS upgrade in the optical disk drive.

Turn the Notebook on with the F12 key.

The BIOS boot menu appears. Select CD/DVD or the CD-ROM symbol using the arrow keys. Press "Enter".

The Notebook will boot from the BIOS upgrade CD-ROM.

A boot menu appears. Select the point for update the BIOS by using the arrow keys. Press "Enter".

The BIOS update process starts. Do not switch off the notebook during update.

If the update process is finished follow the instruction on the screen.

This is about as much as I can find on booting from the CD.

There's really not much more I can do for you...sorry.  I wish I could have been more help, but I have to run.

I'll be back later to follow up...okay?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 01, 2008, 01:50:42 PM
Ok, taking a new angle on this. Lets assume that my BIOS chip has been corrupted and that it's currently useless. Is there a way to blank a BIOS and install a new one? Short of removing the chip and sticking it in a re-programming terminal (y'know the sort used for washing machine micro controllers).
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: patio on June 01, 2008, 02:17:54 PM
Ok, taking a new angle on this. Lets assume that my BIOS chip has been corrupted and that it's currently useless. Is there a way to blank a BIOS and install a new one? Short of removing the chip and sticking it in a re-programming terminal (y'know the sort used for washing machine micro controllers).

Any computer repair shop should be able to solder in a new EEPROM chip...
Expected cost: between 40 and 70 Bucks.
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 02, 2008, 02:43:26 PM
I can solder a new chip in (provided I can work out how to get to it), where would I aquire a new BIOS Chip from though?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: patio on June 02, 2008, 03:30:11 PM
This is not a procedure you want to attempt yourself unless you need a new paperweight around the house...
Contact Toshiba and see if they have it in stock.
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 03, 2008, 08:55:19 AM
I'll have you know that its already a paperweight. I will probably get someone else to do it anyway, I'm short one soldiering iron, solder and a sucker, ect. Not to mention I live in the UK so getting lead based solder is a pain.

Shouldn't Toshiba fix this for me considering they posted up a program that destroyed my BIOS without any form of consent from me?

Just an extra note, I neither signed nor agreed to any disclaimer and just to reiterate the program engaged without my knowledge, I activated the program and left it on screen but I did not actually tell it to do anything.
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: patio on June 03, 2008, 09:40:18 AM
A BIOS flash is always a risky proposition...i doubt any manuf. has been held to task on this as the pages hosting them have repeated warnings against doing so...
It's very possible it was the incorrect flash anyways.
What issues were you trying to solve with a flash of the BIOS ? ?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 03, 2008, 10:12:03 AM
Just an inacurrate battery meter. Toshiba made NO attempts with warnings and actually seem to recomend it. I am 100% sure that this was the correct BIOS, unless Toshiba accidently posted the incorect file on their end.

Quote from: Toshiba
This Bios Update adds increased functionality to your system.
(BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input and Output System. This program is stored in a Read-Only Memory chip on the motherboard.
When the computer powers up, the BIOS is launched to perform various start-up functions.)

I update my PC BIOS all the time without incedent. Why should this cause so many problems? Answer: ASUS never use a program that automaticly does what it likes...
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 03, 2008, 01:30:50 PM
Oh and the bios is built into the motherboard so replacment bios went out the window
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: patio on June 04, 2008, 06:55:10 AM
If you update BIOS's all the time and this is the first incident consider yourself very lucky indeed.
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: Accessless on June 04, 2008, 03:27:20 PM
Why? Do many mojor brand providers create BIOS flashing programs that activate on their own with or without errors?
Title: Re: Toshiba Killed My Laptop Bios
Post by: patio on June 07, 2008, 07:31:34 AM
No i was simply stating that overall flashing the BIOS whether automatically or not has created more doorstops than any other procedure...