Flashing lights on laptop

[papa juliet]

My Toshiba Satellite Pro 6100 has stopped working. When I turn it on it sits there silently and just flashes an orange/yellow light at me. It gives a sort of code similar to ones found in modern car engine management units and I wondered where to find info for decoding it.
After a fruitless search on the net I remembered reading this forum and felt sure that some wizard ( under twenty of course ) would be able to help this old fossil.

[Saab Dastard]

PJ,

Accepted wisdom is to remove the AC power, then remove the battery.

Now reconnect the battery and then the AC power.

Some information relating to LED codes here (http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/faq.jsp?service=UK&from=faq_selection&CFID=BIOS&FID=00000001e1) - also a useful source for how to upgrade your BIOS - assuming that you can boot the damn thing!

If that doesn't cure it, your only recourse is a Toshiba repair. Or better still, buy a new laptop.

Toshiba really have gone downhill over the last 10 years - they used to be numero Uno in the portable world, now they are barely in the top 10.

SD

[rob-d]

It gives a sort of code


Can you post the code. It is probably the best source of information on the problem.

[papa juliet]

Left hand LED flashes twice then six times and then pauses and repeats.
I have read that purchasers in the USA took Toshiba to court and won a class action giving them extended warranty on this model however living in Australia we don't seem to be quite as eager to run screaming for a lawyer.

Hope somebody can help as it's a good unit when it works and its no good for a boat anchor.
Thanks PJ :confused:

[Bushfiva]

The flashing lights on many of the Toshibas are a two-digit hexadecimal code: long = "1", short = "0", then convert to hex. So to isolate the problem, you need to identify the long and short flashes.

The 6100 got an extended warranty for a reason: it's a dog. If you're comfortable tinkering, then reseating the power board inside the laptop seems to help some people. Your best solution is to ask Toshiba if they'll fix it. They know it's a dog, too.

[DaveO'Leary]

Bushfiva
One cannot convert '1' or '0' to hex has to be '10' or above where 10=A
eg. 1234=4d2 in hex. Hex being base 16
Dave

[Bushfiva]

Sigh.

Toshiba error codes are two-digit hexadecimal numbers. The codes are displayed by flashing an LED in two groups. Long flash ="1", short flash "0". First group is least significant digit.

Depending on the model, the error codes range from 00h to DFh.

Since the first group is two flashes but we've not been told how long the flashes are, the digit is probably "2" or "3". Yes, I know that 2h=2d=2o=2anyotherbaseyoucanname.

As a rule of thumb, suspect the power adapter, cord & socket for any 1Xh code. Suspect the internal power board & battery for any 2Xh code. Where X=0-F, not 0-X, DO'L.

Having said all the above, any combination of 2 flashes followed by 6 flashes doesn't seem to match a (common) Toshcode.

PJ, to waste your time, see if you can boot using any of the following methods:

Battery in, power cord out.

Power cord in, battery out.

Leave the battery out for some time. Repeat the above.

If the first method works for you, you can reinsert the power cord after the computer's started booting. If the battery pack and adapter are OK, it's probably a loose/oxidized connection in or around the internal power board.