Big John wrote:
> Ken wrote:
>> Big John wrote:
>>> Ken wrote:
>>>> Big John wrote:
>>>>> I have been running my Toshiba M--35X-S239 for just a little over 
>>>>> three years (which puts it ou of warranty) and today when I opened 
>>>>> the lid to turn it on, the fan came on and I got the  bar across 
>>>>> the bottom indicating that it was coming out of hibernation, then 
>>>>> it suddenly stopped, the screen went black and the fan turned off. 
>>>>> The power button still shows that it is on, and the lights across 
>>>>> the front are all on, indicating a full battery and tha the 
>>>>> computer is on - but nothing else.
>>>>
>>>>     I am probably not the best one to give you advice on a laptop 
>>>> since I do not own one, but I will suggest a few things:
>>>>
>>>>     First I would try to boot to a disk other than the hard drive.  
>>>> A CD or floppy if your computer has one would work if the CMOS setup 
>>>> has them listed in the boot sequence before the hard drive.  If the 
>>>> computer boots properly to a drive other than the hard drive, it 
>>>> could mean the hard drive is corrupted.  A driver or a critical file 
>>>> for Windows could cause your computer to stop like you described.
>>>>>
>>>>> I tried to turn it off by closing the lid, but that doesn't work,  
>>>>> Then I tried to turn it off by holding down the power button - but 
>>>>> it won't go off!!
>>>>> Only way to turn it off is to remove the battery!
>>>>
>>>>     Can you enter CMOS and does the screen stay present as long as 
>>>> you are in CMOS?  I assume you have not changed anything in CMOS 
>>>> since the computer booted properly?  Write back with the results of 
>>>> the experiment above and any additional info.  One can never have 
>>>> too many facts even if they seem unimportant at the time.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas on what I may do before I take it in to the "Geek Squad". 
>>>>> I think their standard price is about $90 just to open it up then 
>>>>> the charges for repair.!!
>>>>>
>>>>> I might think that it was a bad screen, but it was good and 
>>>>> "strong" before today, and the fact that I can't shut it down 
>>>>> without removing the battery makes me think it may be the power 
>>>>> control software. Warranty is out by a couple of months!! Grrrrrr!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Big John
>>> I perhaps didn't make myself clear! The screen is blank, I cannot 
>>> open the CD drive,(it is supposed to slide out, but does not respond 
>>> when I press the "open" button) so I can't even attempt to boot with 
>>> a floppy or CD. For all intents and purposes the computer is dead, 
>>> but the lights all come on and it does get warm if I leave it on for 
>>> awhile -- otherwise dead - dead - dead!! Like the song says, the 
>>> lights are all on, but nobody is home!! Thanks for giving it some 
>>> thought anyway.
>>>
>>> I stopped by the Geek Squad this morning and explained the problem 
>>> and they just "blinked their eyes" and said bring it in. They could 
>>> perhaps by-pass something and get it to boot.  It's obviously not a 
>>> routine problem!!
>>>
>>> bj
>>     I don't know how much you know about computers, so I don't mean my 
>> comments to be demeaning.  One of the first things a computer does 
>> upon boot up is write the bios into RAM.  That is your memory.  If you 
>> can enter CMOS setup and not have the screen go blank, it tells you a 
>> lot. It does not mean all the RAM is good as less is used when 
>> entering CMOS than booting to an operating system.
>>
>>     If you want to stab at a couple of things, you could remove the 
>> RAM and clean the gold contacts with a pencil eraser.  Reinstall the 
>> RAM after that.  You could also remove the battery and try the 
>> computer again, trying to first enter CMOS.  If it works and stays you 
>> can try the CD by IMMEDIATELY opening the CD drawer once you turn on 
>> power.  Booting from a drive other than the HD uses less memory and 
>> excludes the data on the HD.
>>
>>     On the other hand if you would rather pay someone to mess with it, 
>> I understand.  Write back if you attempt any of the above with your 
>> results and I might be able to help.
> 
> I guess we need to find another way to communicate, because words are 
> not getting the job done!!  It does not boot up! The screen is blank! 
> Nothing, nada, ever! The fan runs for about 10 seconds and turns off. 

        First off, your computer MIGHT have a connector for an external monitor 
on it.  Your description says the screen is blank and the fan runs for a 
few seconds.  You do NOT say if the power light remains on.  This is an 
important fact in troubleshooting the computer.  If the power remained 
on you could try an external monitor to make sure there is nothing 
occurring.  It is possible that your display is bad as well as not 
booting.  Also, the fan is controlled by a thermistor.  It only comes on 
when the processor gets warm in order to conserve battery life.

> I've tried to open the CD drawer quickly when I first turn it on and the 
> fan is running, and it will not open. We've tried every trick offered by 
> Toshiba with no luck.

        Not that this is critical right now, but you can open your CD drawer by 
inserting a paper clip into the drawer release hole on the front.  It is 
far more important to fully understand if the power stays on or turns 
completely off.

        It is likely that your computer will cost more to repair than it is 
worth UNLESS it is something simple.  I suggested you remove the battery 
and try it, as well as clean the contacts on the RAM.  Unless I am 
missing something, you have not tried either of those suggestions.  I 
understand your frustration, a failing computer is frustrating.  But if 
you want to troubleshoot a computer you must try some things in order to 
establish what part is functioning.

        Troubleshooting electronic devices is based upon understanding how they 
work in the sequence of events.  Once you establish what is working, you 
look to the next step in the sequence knowing that you have established 
some parts as OK.

> 
> Oh, well, it was a good try but to no avail.  I took it to three 
> different repair shops here in Dallas today and got the same response 
> from each. If the screen is blank, they can't run a "diagnostic" on it 
> and they won't even attempt it. Each said that It would have to go 
> somewhere else and the minimum cost would be $247. Since thats about 
> half the price of a new one  with twice the capability, I'm already 
> reviewing the new ones. I get the feeling that may be the whole idea!
> 
> Thanks for the suggestions - it may be a good opportunity to get out the 
> old screwdriver and see what it looks like inside, and try your 
> suggestions.



        For what it is worth, the Satellite model of computer had a common 
problem with the power input connector coming loose from the 
motherboard.  Removing the battery and reporting your results might have 
indicated this problem.  If that IS your problem, it is not something 
someone with few tools and little repair experience should try.  I just 
did this on my son's computer.  If you were to hire someone to repair 
this type of problem, it again would cost more than it is worth.

        My advice would be to take a deep breath, try the tests I suggested and 
list ALL the results and conditions.  If you are willing to try a few 
more things I feel we can arrive at whether or not it can be fixed or if 
you have a "Boat anchor."