Toshiba Satellite - black(blank) screen after "bios" update

Hi everyone,

I am having an issue with my Toshiba notebook. My model is Satellite A210 - MS508C. I am out of warranty.

Originally, I was having problems turning on my computer. I would push the power button to turn on the computer. Usually, there is a Toshiba loading screen with a bar at the bottom showing the loading process. Right after, there is a Windows loading screen with another bar at the bottom showing the loading process. I was having problems at the Toshiba loading screen. It would load about 75% and then freeze. My computer would not turn on and I would have to manually press the power button to turn the computer off. Then, press the power button again after waiting a few minutes to try to turn the computer on again.

After having this problem for a while, I figured it was maybe because my computer is not as updated as it should be. So I went to the official Toshiba website to their updates page. I started to download the BIOS update.

In the middle of the installation, my computer shut down (turned off) by itself. There was no indication that the installation was complete. I also remembered reading that the BIOS update should restart automatically. My computer turned off itself all of a sudden and did not turn back on. After waiting a couple of minutes, I tried turning it on manually by pushing the power button. There was sound and the blue power button light below the touchpad was on. However, the screen was black and blank.

I've read a couple of other online forums and there has been similar issues.

A member on notebookreview.com (username:marmle) said:
"I tried updateig my bios and my laptop died halfway through now it doesnt do anything... powers up but then just black.. and its out of warranty."

Another member on notebookreview.com (username:wade3fan07) said:
"Just an fyi, I just had the same thing happen to my A215-S5825 and I went ahead and called toshiba and they told me that it is a known issue and will be covered by toshiba until december 31, 2010 hope this helps anybody out there. I am now sending my laptop back to toshiba to get fixed at no charge."

Has anybody heard about this same issue? Any ideas on how I can notify or ask Toshiba to fix it for free? Is sending my labtop in the only way to fix this problem? What are my options?

I called technical support for help as well but they just kept telling me to send it in. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

This is what Toshiba official update does to your laptop. I updated my laptop and it locked out bios If you send it in they will hopefully fix it but you must pay them. Toshiba has found a great way to earn money in this way. Anyway, I didin't send my lappy in and weeks later I got new update wich cleaned my bios password. But you are not able to boot up, this is even worse!

This is why I never buy toshiba again. And remember if you still have warrant it does not "count" you must pay for it becouse it is your "fault"

 

thanks for your reply tunay!

is there any way of saving my documents? if sending it in is the only way to solve this issue then I will send it in. but is there any way of saving the documents that were on my computer?

 

yes there is. The only way I know to save your documnets now is to take your HDD out and connect it to another computer as second drive.
Do you have warranty?
Anyway, If yes; you must be a bit carefull and do it clean becouse if Toshiba find out that you have taken out or opned your lappy then the warranty wil "broke"...

Understand what I mean?