I did both those things. I cannot access the BIOS at all, in case there was something I could fix there.
The last thing I did was to re-load all programs, including windows. It seems that on a normal shutdown it goes into continuous update mode and when you force it to shut down using the power button when you start it up again it enters a continuous update mode again. Only by pulling the power cord and removing the battery will it start normally.
I could load XP I guess but maybe being a Toshiba it will not let me. Not worth the risk.