Toshy Troubles

[chicgeek]

ok chickadee I've got to get breakfast before work, so if you see this when you're done with the restart, good luck with your drive!

So, my computer didn't restart properly. Here is what happened:
- my DVD drive stopped working this morning. Has been working the past few days with no issue. Still spinning, tried multiple discs, but wasn't reading properly.
- tried solutions posted here: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cf...2&forumid=1
- restart computer.
- login screen loads, keyboard and trackpad do not function. External USB inputs also unsuccessful.
- attempts made with safe mode, booting from manufacturer's discs (but wait, the DVD drive doesn't work!).
- Keyboard works properly for boot menus and BIOS options, but not for windows log on screen.

Toshiba Satellite A100-TA9
1 year old
Reformatted within the past three months with manufacturer's discs
Out of warranty.
Windows XP MCE SP2

Intel Core2 Duo processor T5600, 1.83 GHz
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
160 GB Serial ATA, 5400 rpm
CD-RW\DVD±RW dual-layer combo drive
15.4-in. TFT WXGA active-matrix display
128 MB x16 NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600

Please, please help. I have an essay due in no time and I can't underemphasize how much I rely on my computer. I'm fine with reformatting. I am not convinced that booting from a USB stick or optical drive will work when an external keyboard isn't working.

[m42]

It sounds like a driver issue. What was the last thing you did before the machine croaked?

Do you have your original install CDs? Have you attempted to run XP repair?

[Jacob34]

Could be!

1. a Part of your Enternal Power went out or a loose wire prob not.

2. Damage to Motherboard.

3. Mainly like m42 said driver is broken I would get a new one a noob can add it lol. But first I would open the case and make sure the wire to the motherboard and power and in

[chicgeek]

Originally Posted by m42

It sounds like a driver issue. What was the last thing you did before the machine croaked?

Do you have your original install CDs? Have you attempted to run XP repair?

Yeah, and I'm entirely willing to reformat. but wait... DVD drive isn't working! *sigh*

Originally Posted by JacobBranch

Could be!

1. a Part of your Enternal Power went out or a loose wire prob not.

2. Damage to Motherboard.

3. Mainly like m42 said driver is broken I would get a new one a noob can add it lol. But first I would open the case and make sure the wire to the motherboard and power and in

I think the input problem is almost certainly a driver issue. And the dvd problem almost certainly a hardware issue.

I either have to fix A to solve B or fix B to solve A.

[m42]

Do you have a floppy drive?

You may be able to create a startup floppy from your CD's on a school computer.

What about a repair or installation via network?

[G10]

Originally Posted by chicgeek

So, my computer didn't restart properly. Here is what happened:
- my DVD drive stopped working this morning. Has been working the past few days with no issue. Still spinning, tried multiple discs, but wasn't reading properly.

Hey there Cheeks, let me get this right, your DVD is still spinning but nothing is reading from within there?

And yes, the fact that you said things work in the bios and not via Windows def seems like a driver corruption issue as if it were hw, well, obviously it wouldn't work at all.

Though the fact that it can't read anything at boot is a bit strange.

Is there a setting within it's bios to reset the USB adapters so that it picks them up automatically again?

The other thing to do would be to make some notes of your current bios settings and then to try a "restore to default" bios option.

I find it stranges how it took out the DVD drive during POST and if it is stilll spinning and not reading at this point. hmmmm.

One more thing, is it set to boot from DVD first and then move onto the hdd in the bios?

Sorry girl, not sure if that helps but it may be worth a go.

[Jesse Vlasveld]

Can't you just download the drivers from the internet and try if that solves anything?

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

Any storms recently?

Maybe yank the battery and pull the power cables from the psu and the computer, to discharge them. Plug the battery in and try just from the battery. Then try with just the psu (no battery) then both. Any change?

Did you add the second gig of ram or did it come with it? If you added it, try yanking the stick and booting with the original stick.

Also, there's no restore partition on the drive? It's only via CD/DVD?

You mention the external usb (usb hub??) and external keybaord arent working, does the regular keyboard work? Do you have access to a USB drive from a friend?

[chicgeek]

Oh a hopeless whim I tried to boot from my recovery DVD again today. (Yes, I tried this yesterday more than once, the DVD drive wasn't working. Apparently it just needed a day off...)

Miracle of miracles! It spun, actually 'caught', and I'm reformatting right now!!

After a notebook list full of things to try, visits and phone calls, searches on a tiny eee and pleas for help... I want to thank anyone who had suggestions or even just took a look at my problem. I owe you a beer.

[Sun and kisses]

Maybe your drivers are corrupted