Toshiba R700 / R705 /R630 Owners Thread

Well, this problem existed when i tried out win 7 beta on my other laptop. then again when tried to upgrade my other laptop with the final version of win 7. and now again on this laptop. and a quick googling reveals some long- threads about this problem people are having. at this point i wont bother with it. i'm sure there are some hacks/workarounds for it. or maybe i'll just wait till MS releases SP5 for windows 7! lol

 

Please could somebody check to see if theirs makes the same noise? It's a sort of buzz/whine.

 

you mean the high pitch noise? like "sssssssssst"

It also happens when laptop is in sleep mode and power is pluuged in

 

That's right. It's a modulated noise though - sort of like the world's smallest burglar alarm. You're correct about it happening any time the laptop is powered off; my point was I was worried that whatever it is is using battery.

 

thats my concern too
didnt have time to test it out.

Prolly should it leave in sleep for the night without AC and see what happens

 

Anandtech reviewer mentioned that LCD Quality is quite disappointing. You owners, What your idea about LCD quality?
thanks!

 

Compared to my previous laptop with matte screen (Thinkpad T400), the screen on Toshiba looks a bit better. Colours looks more vivid

 

It's "fine". Not great not bad. Id say good but im coming from a pretty old lcd

Its no multimedia laptop (duh) but movies are very watchable.

 

mouse driver has failed (Synaptics). Anyone tell me how to restore it?

 

what do u mean by "failed"?
If u havent uninstalled it, restart
If u have uninstalled it: download from toshiba support site

PS: anyone else getting blinded by chrome finish near the screen? By that i mean it often reflects the light into my eyes :/

PPS: the ssssss'ing is really starting to me off

 

failed as it doesn't work. Toshiba support site - got it, thanks

 

just installed a x25-m g2 and the thing is flying fast and windows battery runtime estimate is longer than before, but not much

 

In case anyone's interested in running Linux on the R630, I got one of these machines on Tuesday and have got it dual booting into Mandriva and Win 7. The only headache on Linux was the annoying Windows disk partition which means I don't have the largest possible home directory and the fact that it's a Broadcom WiFi card.

Fortunately Broadcom have just released open source Linux drivers so it was actually pretty simple to compile and install them. They will be in the next kernel apparently.

With KDE4 it runs beautifully (much faster than Win7 which is very sluggish unless you turn off all the fancy graphics when it's just sluggish). It is perfect for travelling light when you just want to surf, email, write embedded software, watch videos and other associated non-graphical intensive stuff. the shortcut keys seem to work which is nice. Not tried the webcam yet.

Hardware-wise, the keyboard is pretty nice, I think it's called a chicklet(?), but a bit noisy. The fan drones all the time and is mildly disturbing if you don't tune it out. it really is lovely and light. The speakers are bobbins, but I'll be using headphones most of the time if I want sound.

All-in-all, I am delighted with it. I still have a really powerful i7 lappy with a bigger screen and an nvidia card for when I need real grunt, but for travelling light, I absolutely love this machine. I wouldn't want to run Windows 7 on it though. If you have to use a virus-trapping OS I would say you'd need to run XP to have any sort of decent performance.

One question, will there be/is there a larger capacity battery?

 

I am not sure that is my experience (i.e. sluggish) with the Portege R705. Windows 7 is pretty snappy and I certainly wouldn't want to go back to XP. To each his own I guess.

 

I think you're right about to each his own. I know this sounds inflammatory, but I think Windows users have a different expectation from their computers. Last year I sat with my friend who was proudly showing off Win7 to me on his machine that previously ran Vista. He was saying how great it was and I was just sitting there thinking, ****-me this is slow.

When I pointed this out to him he amazed me by saying something along the lines of that's just how it is with Windows. So, yeah, I think a Windows user's snappy is a Linux user's sluggish.

I would repeat I'm not trying to be inflammatory, just making an observation about different people's expectations of their computer.

 

Mandriva works very nicely for me. If you put a lightweight desktop such as LXDE or XFCE on it will be "lighter" than KDE4 - if less functional.

I suppose if it were running far fewer apps than Windows and putting less strain on the CPU it might improve battery life. Either would play videos fine though. I suspect playing from flash might help as you'd not be having to turn a motor on an HDD. How much increase you'd get I wouldn't like to say. I suspect turning your screen brightness right down would be the biggest benefit.

 

Thanks DiBosco for you comments about lightweight operating systems. I am going to check these out!

 

Most welcome, tc. Please note that the LXDE desktop is on the "Free" DVD (Free as opposed to One or Powerpack) where as you have to install xfce from the repositories.

 

See if this works: Go into Control Panel > Intel Graphics and Media, click Power on the left-hand side, then make sure the Power Plan is set to Maximum Performance for both "On battery" and "Pugged in" modes. I haven't seen this problem since.

 

Hey everyone. Just wanted to report on my experience replacing the computer through NewEgg. It was a snap. I called them up and explained the problem, they gave me all the info to ship it back free of charge, and switched it for a new one, no questions asked. And I can confidently report that the problem I was having with the high-pitched whining CPU was confined to my computer; there is no sound even remotely like it coming out of the new machine.

So if anyone is hearing anything unusual, I strongly recommend flipping the computer over and, using the cardboard core of a toilet paper roll, have a listen to the various points on the bottom of your machine. If there is a high-pitched whine coming from the area of the RAM compartment, strongly consider getting a replacement as soon as possible. I'm so glad I did, because I absolutely love this computer.

I also want to mention that the fan on this one is much quieter, too. In fact, it's really not noticeable at all, and I would actually be reluctant to complain about it. So if you're having any serious issues with noise in general, consider checking out a floor model at Best Buy to see how yours compares. It seems there are some less fabulous units of this laptop floating around, but the good ones are really, really good.

 

So then, can we get a quick round-up of some of the accessories and updates that people have discussed? Specifically, what must one do to get the WiDi working on the r700? Does one download the WiFi driver or the Intel display driver? And do we have a consensus on the best protective sleeve? Links? I'd really like to see a pleather one that opens with the lid of the computer.

For those interested in upgrading to the 9-cell battery, it's not grossly offensive to look at, and when the computer is in use, it has this kind of mysterious effect of propping up the back of the computer but being mostly out of sight. It's kind of cool, and definitely does not distract from the slim form factor of the laptop. When it's closed, the battery sticks out considerably, maybe about 3/4 of an inch, but makes for a nice carrying handle. I dig it. I bought it from Provantage for about 120, with zero tax from out-of-state and free shipping.

 

outnumbered,
To get WIDI to work, all you have to do is download the driver on the Toshiba support site for the intel wireless display and then install it. You can then download the newest version from Intel's support site. You need to purchase the Netgear Push 2 TV adapter for around $99. They have it at Best Buy, or you can buy it online. If you have a dual band router, make sure that you connect your R700 to it on only 2.4 and not 5 Ghz, or it will tell you that the Netgear adapter is not compatible with the 5 Ghz band. When you install the software and run it for the first time, it will also update the firmware on the Netgear Push 2 TV adapter. I remapped the presentation button,(upper right corner above the keyboard) so that it launches the wireless display like it does on the R705. You can do this by using the HWSETUP program in the Toshiba Utilities folder (All programs/Toshiba/Utilities/HWSETUP). Hope this helps.

 

To be honest, your "non-inflammatory" comments about Windows 7 kind of ticked me off at first. Having never used Linux though, I couldn't refute what you said. And I couldn't test your claims on my Portege R705 since my CPA practice requires Windows-based software. Still I wanted to know what Linux brought to the table.

So after watching a few Youtube videos, I found myself loading Mandriva on my old Compaq X1000 laptop purchased back in 2003 that was gathering dust on the shelf. This is an old Pentium M laptop with less than a gig of memory. When I started it up, it took over 10 minutes to boot, everything was hanging, virus protection was out of date, error messages were everywhere, and Windows XP wanted to load 89 updates. You get the picture - This laptop looked like it belonged only in a recycle bin.

After loading Mandriva (which was relatively painless for a Linux newbie by the way), I have to say "Wow"! Web pages and applications load quickly and don't overtax this 7 year-old computer. The only thing that spills the beans on how old this laptop is full screen or HD video. Otherwise, the machine has a new lease on life.

My conclusion is that the R700/R630 series would be lightning quick in a Linux environment with a core i processor and 2010 specs. While I still am extremely happy with Windows 7 performance on R705, my apologies to DiBosco for my earlier thoughts. If you can cut the cord from Windows software, there are some great choices out there. Thanks for getting me to try Linux. I look forward to using it some more.

 

Well I must say, that's one of the better recommendations I've read.

As far as using Linux on your Toshiba. You actually can have your cake and eat it too. Try mosying over to the Virtual Box website. VirtualBox

Virtual Box was written by Sun Microsystems (now Oracle). It's open source, it's free, and it works well.

How it works: You install Virtual Box and then you can load in Linux or OS2 or Some old version of windows you have lying around, etc. Just about any operating system that can run on an x86 pc. Note: It is not dual boot. It runs virtualized under windows (or if Linux is your main os then you can run Windows under Linux etc.).

On a modern iCore processor, you don't even notice you are running virtualized, it's quite speedy. It can run in a window or full screen. You can run multiple virtualized os's. If you install the extensions (easy to do) then the mouse, ethernet, video etc, all blend and work together nicely between the real and virtualized os's.

note: Virtual Box is not the only option, there is also Microsoft Virtual PC (free if you have XP or Windows Professional). Parallels, VMWare...

But try vbox and you won't be disappointed.

 

Sry for quoting myself, but these would be big pro's or con's on my list. Would be so great if someone could drop a line about it

 

im wondering if it will be as easy when one has bought his notebook in USA en is currently residing in europe -.- Anyone tried that?

 

Did you return yours within 30 days of purchase? I bought mine from TigerDirect about 6 weeks ago so I'm concerned that I would have to go through Asus for a replacement, and then would probably get a refurbished model.

EDIT: I meant Toshiba. Got my monitor from Asus.

 

oldy and PhillyBen: In both your cases, I'm pretty certain you're stuck with dealing with Toshiba under the warranty. But I would advise both of you to take it in to an authorized service facility that is not Toshiba-branded. If you can get the repair people on your side, they would probably be able to convince Toshiba that the computer needs to be replaced. I hate the thought of a new laptop undergoing repair, which is why getting the replacement from NewEgg was such a relief. Definitely check with your retailer first.

I should mention that, after a couple of days, my CPU whine is back, but still much quieter than before. At this level, I think I'm the only one who would ever notice it because it used to be so much louder and annoyed me so immensely. But right now, I'm happy to live with it, and it may just be a sound that all of these CPUs make and only I am neurotic enough to notice.

Meanwhile, I did a clean install on a friend's Toshiba Satellite last week and was surprised at how smoothly it went. The "Value Added" utility (whose name initially scared me away because it sounds like code for crapware) installed all the essential drivers, so the whole process only took about 45 minutes. I'm thinking I'll try a clean install and see if this has any effect on the whine issue.

 

How long does it last you for typical use?

 

Is this the sleeve people are recommending? Just want to be sure before I throw down forty bucks.

 

Yesterday, I used it in balanced mode for about four hours and then left it running with wi-fi on and the lid closed for another 5 hours or so and it was at 13% when I got back. Today, I've got it running in eco mode, but I don't have all day to play around with it. I'll let you know what the battery meter says when I'm done. Give me a week or so and I'll be able to report more solidly. But I can say this: it seems to last a pretty long time. They say that by adding 50% more cells, it should last exactly 50% longer, so if you're currently getting 6 hours, the 9-cell would get you 9 hours. Not sure if that's true, but that's what they say.

 

If you want something with handles, pockets, and/or shoulder strap, as I do, 2 people here have recommended CaseCrown cases. I think that this is the one that they both recommended:
http://http://www.amazon.com/CaseCrown-Checkered-MacBook-MB467LL-13-3-Inch/dp/B001TFBPMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1284933381&sr=8-1

That one doesn't have a carrying strap. I recently ordered the CaseCrown messenger bag, which does have a shoulder strap:
http:///www.amazon.com/Apple-13-3-inch-CaseCrown-Messenger-Convenient/dp/B0027ZLZUK/ref=sr_1_1

Both are about $25 shipped.

The one that I ordered, the messenger bag, is listed by CaseCrown on their website as being 1" thick, but there's another similar bag that's listed as 2.5" thick and that strikes me as much more realistic. I'll report back on Monday or Tuesday, when I get delivery.

There's also a CaseCrown classic slim case with shoulder strap that's supposed to be only 1" thick, but it's only available in metallic red or silver (which I didn't want). It's more like $23 shipped:
http://http://www.amazon.com/Apple-13-3-Inch-Carrying-CaseCrown-Metallic/dp/B002UVP9A8/ref=sr_1_11?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1284956520&sr=8-11

I did a lot of research on this last week, as you can see.

 

Well, what do you know, plans changed and I was in fact able to piddle around on the 9-cell battery until it reached 10%, about 6:45 after pulling the adapter out at 100%. The meter seems to think the battery could make it another 45 minutes or so before reaching zero.

The computer was set to: WiFi on, sound on, bluetooth off, eco mode on with no modifications. Throughout the session, I kept the following programs open: Windows Media Player (idle), Word 2003 (1 document open), uTorrent (3 active torrents), Windows LiveSync (with occasional transfer activity), Firefox (average 10 tabs open, a total of 40 minutes of flash video). I browsed furiously the entire time. The Eco Utility reports a total usage of 280Wh, but that includes a couple hours of being plugged in this morning, so I don't know if that means anything. The power consumption managed to hover at about 12w the whole time.

Hope this is helpful. Does this compare favorably with everyone else's experience using the 6-cell?

 

I think you can't do that.
As far as i know, only thinkpads allow that, they have those slim ultra bay batteries which you can replace optical drive with.

 

I've noticed lately that if the machine is making this noise while off the battery definitely does run down. I can stop it, weirdly, by plugging in the HDMI cable (again this is while the pc is off). Obviously this is no solution really. I will email Toshiba when I get a minute.

 

woah dude. i bought mine for 10 bux off ebay and its real good. neoprene sleeve etc. dont waste your money.

 

after 4-5 hours off hybrid sleep (hybernation), my battery rundown from 100%->83%

 

Yeah, but for me the power drain is happening when the laptop is supposedly fully shut-down. I would expect this during hibernation/sleep but not when powered off completely.

 

Maybe you've enabled usb-charge for usb devices...

 

Disabling doesn't stop the drain/noise. So far the only thing I've found that stops it is plugging in the HDMI cable.

 

Ill test it out tonight. dont have hdmi cable to see if the noise will go away

Is connecting just 1 end of hdmi cable enough?

 

No it has to be plugged into a monitor/TV I think (mine is at least).

 

Got my CaseCrown 13" messenger bag today. Very sweet carrying case with double-thick memory foam, about $25 shipped (bought from Senyx). It could compress to about 2" if you didn't put anything in the 2 ample side compartments, but if you put your A/C adapter in the outside pocket you're looking at 2.5"-3" wide. Thicker than a sleeve, but it has a shoulder strap so it's really more of a standalone case. A small and thin one.

I'll probably buy a separate sleeve for when I want to stuff it into a larger briefcase, but I would never pay $40 for one. $15-$20 tops can get you a very good sleeve.

 

any vertical bag veeery veery small and light for the r700??

I've been searching serveral markets and everything is for 10-11" netbooks (vertical bags)...

 

Try searching for vertical sleeves made for Macbooks. There are lots of those.

Belkin makes one for the Macbook Air that I considered for my r700. Macbook Air has very similar dimensions except that it's about .25 inches slimmer (I think).
Belkin Vertical Sleeve with Shoulder Strap For MacBook Air Notebook carrying case

 

thanks for the "macbook air" sugestion...

This case also seems very small and light:

http://www.tucanousa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BFITS

 

the Tucano bags are nice, I bought their Workout bag:

Find here the best selection of laptop messenger bags

but just note, they don't fit the R700 perfectly. It's got some room on the side and about an 1inch on top...

 

I "lost" 2% of battery power when fully shut down for the night

 

Hey everyone

Still very much enjoying my R630 with an i5 after 2 weeks of use. Really glad I saved the £400 extra I was going to pay for the R700 with a faster i5 and an internal 3GB slot.

Anyway. I am still keen to install a lightweight operating system to allow me to fast boot when travelling to play videos.

Can someone possibly direct me to a step-by-step guide to download and installing Linux and then Mandriva InstantOn?

I am complete dullard when it comes to this. Anyone who can point me in the right direction would be a lifesaver.

Thanks

 

I went to the local mac store and tried the above sleeve (Incase Neoprene for macbook 13") with my r700. I fit like a glove. Didn't buy due to lack of accessory pocket & strap.

I also tried the Incase Nylon Sling Sleeve which has an excellent fit.
https://www.goincase.com/macbook/


Holding out for an opportunity to try this one.