zeitgeist57 Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) My wife's 2yr old Toshiba Satellite is currently taking a major shit. It powers up, but when the screen turns on there is nothing indicating that Windows is launching. Fans blowing, LEDs are lighting, but nothing else. It was intermittent for the last month, but over the last 3 days it has been out of commission totally. On Monday, I was planning to walk in to the Laptop Guy in Grandview. Is it a good place? If it is, then here's my problem... I don't want to pay TLG $79 for a laptop inspection if they are just going to tell me it needs a new motherboard. If I'm going to buy a $400+ part and screw/plug it in myself to make the computer work again, I don't need someone to tell me the same thing while taking $80 from my pocket. EDIT: FWIW, we luckily backed the hard drive on our external 500GB the last time it worked. I know it could be just a loose chip or something, I guess I am just looking for some help and recommendations on what to do... Edited January 4, 2009 by zeitgeist57 moar info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Don't take it there. They are ripoff artists. We contracted with them to build their tracking and repair software for their nationwide repair operation and they stiffed us on the bill. They're internal policy is set up to squeeze money out of you. Take it to Netwave in Hilliard, they're an authorized Toshiba repair center. My senior engineer has a brother that works there. I'll get his name on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmrmnhrm Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 What happens if you plug a monitor into the port on the back? Sounds like it might be a dead backlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 What happens if you plug a monitor into the port on the back? Sounds like it might be a dead backlight. One of two things...either the monitor goes black also, or the monitor shows an NES-style "glitch" screen where I see the "TOSHIBA" logo but it's all pixelated and frozen. I can tell the screen turns on, because it goes from black to grey (with light around the screen edges). It's still not showing anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmrmnhrm Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Ehh, not the backlight then. Glitching like that points to a hardware failure of some sort, possibly an overheat, but more likely some sort of silicon failure. At two years old, it's a little young for zinc whiskers, but that's also a potential cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 I tried this fix (below), even though it's not the same model. Once I popped up the panel between the LCD and the keyboard, I could not see the MAXIM power chip so I stopped for now. I'm waiting for Chris's guy on Monday, otherwise I may try to crack it open and see if I can find the MAXIM chip. http://imateski.blogspot.com/2008/08/toshiba-satellite-m35x-motherboard.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z06G Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 DO NOT TAKE IT TO LAPTOP GUY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Waiting for Excell's buddy. Otherwise, I'm going to break out the crowbar and pliers and fix it myself. http://smiliesftw.com/x/msn_007.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Take it to Netwave in Hilliard, they're an authorized Toshiba repair center. My senior engineer has a brother that works there. I'll get his name on Monday. This Netwave? Doesn't look like a repair shop to me... http://www.netwavecorp.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 What Model Toshiba Sat? KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 This Netwave? Doesn't look like a repair shop to me... http://www.netwavecorp.com/ Yea, that's right. Just asked my engineer, his brother works in the enterprise department and won't be able to "in" for you, sorry. I still recommend them, they've fixed a few Toshiba's for me at on old client. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 DO NOT TAKE IT TO LAPTOP GUY. What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Take it to Netwave in Hilliard, they're an authorized Toshiba repair center. My senior engineer has a brother that works there. I'll get his name on Monday. 2nded for Netwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 What Model Toshiba Sat? KillJoy Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 I'll take it to Netwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 I have a Tosh Sat Pro 6100 Parts Unit is why I asked. Oh well.... GL on the repair!! :thumbup: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Dropped it off at Netwave for a $40 diagnostic check... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Never called me back, so I just rang them and guess what? "Basically it needs a new motherboard" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sound about right for that model. They have a LOT of MB issues. Client had a bunch of them, most replaced MB within three years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Any good source for a MOBO? EDIT: I realize a "cheap" motherboard (if there is one) will be shit...but anything to get me a year or so more out of this laptop would be good. Maybe a cheaper alternative to Toshiba-supplied parts? I just can't believe that a $2200 laptop dies just over two years. I've had $500-$1300 vehicles that have lasted longer than that. ('85 and '86 Chevy trucks, '89 Accord, '89 Civic HB) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 EBay :thumbup: KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Yup, eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Got a quote for under $500 to fix ($180 labor), or just $275 for the motherboard. Thoughts? Same quality MOBO on eBay for cheaper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 $180 labor? Yeesh. I'll do it for nothing, but the trick is working around my schedule. If you ask nicely maybe Steve will volunteer. $275 is ridiculous too, checked eBay prices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I checked them. I'll match the specific model number, but Toshiba Sat P105 mainboards look to be $155 on eBay. :thumbup: I'm feeling froggy to do it myself...though someone who is 1)free, 2)done this before, and 3)good at it would be appreciated ... http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/toshiba-satellite-p105/take-apart-1.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 It's really, really simple. Just take your time, be patient, and don't use any sharp metal objects. If you get squeamish, gimmie a ring and I'll make some time for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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