Anybody own Satellite A215 Series? Blank Screen?

Hello, I have wanted to purchase a specific Satellite A215 model, (there is a new model at Circuit City that just landed). Anyway, I have read on several sites that during playback of dvd's or music, the screen will blank out and there is no way to get it back unless you power down the unit.
If anyone knows why this was happening anf if it's fixed, that would be helpful. The new one at CC is 215-7444...1.9AMD, 200gig HD, 2gig ram. 849.00
BUT, I am very leary of going with another toshiba, I seem to hear more problems than not as of late.
I will hopefully find out if this issue is fixed, if not, I see a nice fujitsu lifebook on the horizon.
Any info will be great....I do like the toshiba look, and hoping the quality is as good as it was when I bought this satellite 6yrs ago....

 

I found this information:

 

I just bought an A215-S5808 and haven't had any issues yet. Mine stays plugged in about 99% of the time though so it's set to High Performance. The only setting I changed was the "Turn off the display" to 5 mins.

 

the display doesnt just turn off...it goes blank because the unit is out cold....and needs to be rebooted...
i can't believe they still put this model out without a proper fix....
anyword on that yet??

 

Install latest BIOS. Remove bloatware like function key mapper and camera utility (start the cam when needed). Lots of other things can be removed as well.

 

There is no fix for this, sorry. Toshiba SUCKS! Never Buy Toshiba!

Solution from Toshiba Support:

STEP1: shut down laptop.
STEP2: unplug charger if plugged in.
STEP3:remove battery. (use switches labeled 1 and 2)
STEP4: Hook up acadapter (charger)
STEP5:turn on computer with no battery, only using ac adapter.
STEP6:Go to control panel
STEP:7 On left click classic view
STEP8: Click POWER OPTIONS
STEP9: Under BALANCED click on CHANGE PLAN SETTINGS
STEP10: click CHANGE ADVANCED POWER SETTINGS
STEP 11: Scroll down and double click PROCESSOR POWER MANAGEMENT
STEP12: Under MINIMUM PROCESSOR STATE change both the on battery and plugged in percentages from 5% to 100%.
STEP13: click APPLY the OK
STEP14 shut down
STEP15:unplug ac adapter and put in battery.
STEP16: Plug in ac adapter
STEP17:REBOOT

In short, set Processor State to 100% all the time or set High Performance mode (this is equal)! A215 is not portable laptop any more...

 

Sorry to hear that. I fixed mine based on what I said in a couple of posts back. Haven't had the problem since. And my processor is still running at 5% instead of Toshiba's fix of 100%.

A couple of weeks ago, I did install the latest Toshiba software update for their Toshiba Value Added Package (see below) and the problem resurfaced the minute I rebooted. I restored back and the problem disappeared. IMO, the issue has something to do with their power drivers. Use Microsoft's instead.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...khmeddcgfkceghdgngdgmm.0&ct=DL&all_docs=false

The Toshiba Value Added Package includes Toshiba Common Modules as well as Power Saver, Accessibility, Fnesse, Toshiba Utilites.

 

Oh, and make sure to remove TPwrMain.EXE from the registry. Usually located in HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Run. This is Toshiba's Power driver installer app.

 

I bought mine 3 days ago and got the blank screen today. Called tech support and changed my minimum processor power to 100% in each setting. Did not need to do the battery in above post however. Will see if it happens again. Great laptop otherwise and if the fix works should be a good deal. Paid 599 at Best Buy. Had I researched it more I would not have bought this due to screen problem history but I will stick it out now. Will post if the toshiba solution is bad.

 

the solution will work, i guess, but it's not legit.

 

yeah, it is not a fix for this problem, i had the same problem, i did some updates like posted before - value aded package,bios and so and its been 2 weeks that black screen didnt appear

 

Finally this problem is RESOLVED in right way. All what you need is to update BIOS to latest version (1.7). Thanks Toshiba!

Latest BIOS:

Download BIOS: http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/downloads/safgv170.exe

 

so it's fixed!?
that is great news....
i'll look at their site...

 

Rupert, you should start a new thread just stating this important information. SSSOOO many people are going through hek after spending hard earned money on this product.
I will rep point you for this info!

 

don't get to excited. The new BIOS hasn't worked for many.

 

Mine contiues with dreaded black screen even after loading the new BIOS and adjusting the power settings. Toshiba's customer service and Tech support really stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Which model is not working properly?

 

Remove The Toshiba Power Saver Program I Had The Same Problem, Removed That Program And Problem Disappeared

 

Toshiba knows of the problem and there is a new bios updated to fix the problem. Anyone who has this problem needs to update their bios. And regardless you should update your bios regularly.

 

my goodness. you would think by now this would be solved...are you absolutley sure this isnt solved?? I see on their dn load page that bios 1.7 addresses this exact issue.
i mean it's toshiba not an acer or gateway, let's fix the problem!

 

what is the problem. the bios update fixes the issue, so I fail to see what the problem is.

 

from what i've read here on the site, it isnt working for everyone....maybe they are not downloading the model specific bios...?

 

if you download the wrong bios then the system wont allow you to update the bios with that version.

its possible Tosh just needs to do another update.

FWIW Im not much of a fan of the A215. They have some wierd things about them. The A205 on the other hand is awesome.

 

Remove the toshiba power saver program and just use the windows program. I have an A215-S7462 and thats what I did and I don't have that problem any more.

 

some a215 models use this BIOS: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_dtlViewDL.jsp?soid=1995533&moid=1757694&rpn=PSAEGU&BV_SessionID=@@@@1611932935.1205009787@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadedhmilkedcgfkceghdgngdgmm.0&ct=DL&all_docs=false which also fixes the problem...

 

There is a new BIOS, v1.90 for my model which is suppose to fix this issue.

 

Just remove the toshiba power saver program and use the one that comes with windows and the problem disappears. That worked for me I own a A215-S7462

 

Please dont write stupid tips like this. This problem is resolved by BIOS update. Power saver has nothing to do with this. Read Toshiba Support Bulletin for more information.

 

In case you haven't heard, the v1.70 bios did not solve the issue. Just recently they released a new BIOS, v1.9 which they again claim fixes the issue again. His procedure may have worked for him. Who is stupid?

 

i have A215-S5825
the above link to update the bios is not working for my model.any body has it? or where can i find it?

 

Latest BIOS for your laptop:

http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/downloads/safgv180.exe

You can find other files from this site:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_home.jsp

 

Just as a precautionary tale, I upgraded to bios 1.9 or 1.8 but my battery life went to 5-10 minutes, or less. I believe, maybe mistakenly, that I preferred the crashing once a day. I tried reinstalling 1.3 bios but somehow even though the bios changed back, the settings for 100% power state are still there, with the short battery life. I assume everyone else has the same battery usage after the BIOS update?

I believe If I leave the CMOS battery out for 5 minutes my old factory settings will be restored. That requires taking apart the laptop thought. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

 

I have the same problem. I update my Bios to 2.0 and change the power setting. I have no luck! I'm currently hooking it up to a VGA to my tv and it work fine...hmm anyone think its the screen itself? Is there a way to test this? Any recommendation is appreciated.
Model: Satellite A215-S5829 Blank screen problem.