Satellite A135-S2246 BIos/Memory or power issue

I have one of these units. I originally had a 512Mb memory module (original from factory), I upgraded to 2 Gb (2 of 1 Gb module PC4200).
I tried going to XP but gave up, I kept getting dead end on reboot (It stayed on hibernation/sleep mode or standby mode).
I thought that going back to Vista would cure the problem.
I had everything up and running then suddenly this problem on reboot reappeared, Tried everything but still no luck.
I went back to 512Mb on the top memory slot.
The problem went away, I tried the same memory module to the bottom slot.
IT was having problem rebooting again.
I tried the 1Gb module in the top slot, no luck , problem rebooting again.
I have Bios V1.40 latest which is supposed to cure the issues with rebooting issues password issues etc.

What is going on here???
It just does not make sense.

I would like to increase the memory on this laptop to make it a bit faster, I might have to keep it at 512Mb.

I don't see any options in the bios that would affect the memory slots.

I will try cleaning the contacts on both the memory modules and slots.

I have also noticed that the BIOS does not report 512Mb but 4XX Mb ??
Is this correct for this BIOS to report something other than the size of the module plugged in?? It didn't matter which module I put in it always reported it lower (1 Gb was 8XX mb)
Vista reports it OK

I have also noted that when the machine is put into sleep mode, the power switch goes red (normal) but mine appears to cycle in brightness??
Is this normal for these laptops?

Any help appreciated, it just drives me crazy

 

Sounds like it might be a faulty stick of ram. Try running Memtest86+ with only that stick of ram installed to see if it is causing your problem.

The reason that your computer is reporting a different RAM size than the label on the stick is because of two different measuring techniques; one used by manufactures and one used by computers. Manufactures use a base-10 measureing system (where each Megabyte = a flat 1,000,000 bytes.) The computer measures in base-2 (where each Megabyte = 1,048,576 bytes.) If you are a manufacturer, you are dividing the 512,000,000 bytes by 1,000,000. If you are a computer, you are dividing by 1,048,576. The reported space is usually less than the actual space, but you have not been cheated. See this article for a slightly more detailed explanation.

 

Thank you for replying Daniel.


I'll see about testing these memory sticks that do not work.
Although I am pretty sure that they are good.

As for the Bios reporting memory size, your explanation, I was aware of that fact. But it seems that the Bios reporting $xx meg versus 512 Megs isn't that case.

Does anyone have a A135-s2246 laptop and look at the bios reporting of the memory please, that would possibly help me determine if this is normal. Maybe part of the memory is hidden under the BIos for the Bios access?

 

Tested all the memory.
It isn't thei ssue
It must be with the ACPI , there must be a bug inside the Toshiba Bios V1.40 or ACPI hardware inside those laptops. Toshiba isn't telling anyone other than bring it back for support. Funny that these crappy laptops break down just a few weeks after the 1 year warranty. This one broke down 3/4 weeks after warranty period.

Has anyone found a cure for those erratic power up after power down problem?

 

Still working on this one.
I have eliminated the ACPI issue.

I have found out that if I leave the machine "Turned OFF" for a few minutes then it will reboot OK as it should.

I have thought it was an issue with heat so I redid the heathsink coumpound.
Still no change.

Could it be an issue with Vista "Quick boot/ quiet boot"

 

It is not a "Quiet Boot" issue.

I have come to the conclusion that it is a problem with the motherboarditself.

Has anyone actually figured out what component/part is failing on this motherboard?
If it were just an electrolytic capacitor, I could replace it myself, I have done that on motherboard before.

Any help appreciated

 

Does anyone have one of these units?
I would have a few questions/ few things to check under the BIOS for me.

Appreciate if you would contact me to help me.

 

I have one of these units and had the same exact problems. I had bought another stick of RAM for it, and it started going into a permanent hibernation mode, where I would turn it on, and the power light would come on, but the computer would not "boot up". Because it was still under warranty, I took it to the authorized Toshiba repair person and he said that he replaced the motherboard and some other major parts before realizing that it was all due to a bad stick of RAM. Since then, I have had no problems with that issue.

However, a few months later, after my warranty had already expired, my BIos password suddenly reset itself; the password I had been using no longer worked. Therefore, I couldn't log in to the computer. So, I took it back to the same Toshiba repair person, who told me that it was a flaw with this model, that they all have a tendency to have BIos problems, and therefore it was still covered under my expired warranty.

In conclusion, I had the laptop completely fixed for free, and now I have no problems. Now the first stick of RAM I had bought was from eBay, so it could just be that it was no good. I just ordered a new stick from the Toshiba website, so I'm hoping this one will work and not cause any problems.

 

To: rhythmnation2004,
I would like to know name and location of your "authorized Toshiba repair"
so I can have my s2246 fixed. It broke down 2 weeks after the warranty expired.
Toshiba said: "we're sorry, your warranty is expired".
They should recall all of them, or repair them for free. They can afford it.
My power light comes on, fan runs, but thats all. Been like that for a year now,
useless. I have read about many others the same, useless.
I will NEVER buy any toshiba product again.

 

Venturian1,

This thread hasn't been active for nine months, and the user who created it about the same. So it will not be of much assistance.

To locate an authorized Toshiba repair facility, click here.

You could also try creating a new thread detailing your issues.