BIOS upgrade failure

Yes, the title says it all. I've done it.

Hello,

I have a Toshiba Satellite A-100 and I have recently attempted to upgrade my PhoenixBIOS v. 2.0 to 6.0. I used the upgrade tool (runs under Windows) which I have downloaded from Toshiba website. It was the only upgrade available identified by their website, as I have entered all details of my laptop (series, model, serial-no etc.).

Everything went fine, each step was completed successfully, including the last one - flashing BIOS. After the process ended, I was prompted to reboot.

Just that it wouldn't. It doesn't go any further than the TOSHIBA logo and slogan, and a loading bar which freezes around an imaginary 23%. I have the option of pressing F2 to enter SETUP, which does nothing, or F12 to enter the Boot Menu, which changes my options to "Please wait...".

So the problem is obvious, I'd say. I need some suggestions as to what I should do. Changing the mainboard (as I hear Toshiba integrates the BIOS directly into the mainboard, not in socketed chips) is not a primary solution. Does any of you know of any way, to re-flash the BIOS, or anything else that will ultimately bring my system out of the "coma"?

I am just mentioning that the BIOS update was made in order to benefit from a better Linux experience. I have done it successfully before, on a Desktop, by using the mainboard manufecturer's tool. I figured this should work as well.

So please help! If you ask any student what their most precious belonging is, he/she will most probably answer: my laptop!

 

Check my BIOS guide, post #2, for some suggestions.

 

Hi.

If you can get you old bios the guide in the link below might help

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/showthread.php?t=2105

Regards

John.

 

Thank you for your posts. I will try these methods out and update as necessary. I just hope at least one will work out.

Regards

 

I'm really new with such procedures. I am supposed to copy my "bios.wph" file to the recovery disk (floppy, usb stick etc.). Where exactly can I get that from ?

John, you told me I need my old BIOS. Well, I never made a backup of it. Can't I download an image from somewhere? I unpacked the bios update i used initially, from toshiba. There is a VB script, which ultimately points to a .ROM file as being an important one. I am completely new at this, can this contain the bios image required?

 

Hi.

You have an Toshiba Satellite A-100 , but what is the short model number eg, PSAA8 , as the bios version depends on the short model number?

Their is a 2.20 and a 6.00 , maybe you should have used 2.20 , we need the short model number?

 

Hello,

Sorry about that, I forgot to mention. It's actually PSAA8E. So the 6.0 one is the only one that is left. This is why I am confused, the site does not seem to let you download earlier versions.

Meanwhile, I managed to call toshiba support today. I got the obvious expected answer from them, regarding support for the update tools posted on their website - they are only responsible if they actually recommend that you upgrade your BIOS, you then follow their notice and run the tool and it goes wrong. I also inquired about any recovery function that might exist in the mainboard, without any luck though.

 

Hi.

maybe you should ask for this thread be moved to the toshiba section, maybe sombody with the 2.00 bios can save it for you.

Regards

John.