b5media.com

Advertise with us

Enjoying this blog? Check out the rest of the Technology Channel Subscribe to this Feed

Microsoft Weblog

Vista Black Screen on Toshiba Laptops

by Jason Bean on April 30th, 2008

toshiba-satellite The picture there looks a lot like my wife’s laptop when it decides to lose her screen display completely.

She will be working on her computer, which is running Windows Vista, and randomly the screen image will be lost for no reason. The laptop was a Christmas gift so when it stops working it kind of takes the joy away from receiving it as a gift.

My initial thought was that it was her power settings that were telling the display to turn off after so many minutes. Turns out that it wasn’t the power settings at all, even though I did adjust them to not turn anything off when it’s plugged into the wall.

The next thought is to obviously make sure all the drivers are updated. Run through Windows Update to no avail, everything’s updated as it should be, or you would expect it to be according to the reports.

Being back at square one, you start searching for the problem mentioned elsewhere on the Web and see what other people have experienced and hopefully find a solution. Up to this point though, I haven’t found anything that seems to be the exact same cause that my wife is experiencing.

Black Screen Just on Toshiba Laptops Running Vista?

My mom called last week stressed out because she had been working on something on her new Toshiba laptop (also received as a Christmas gift) and her screen went black. She thought she had lost everything as well.

What I had my mom do, and the only work-through we’ve figured out, is to do a hard power down by holding the power button down for a few seconds. Clearly not the best thing to do, but the only way we’ve figured out how to get out of the problem.

Is there anyone else experiencing this problem? Does it happen on other laptops besides Toshiba?

Share This

Related Stories

POSTED IN: Errors, Hardware, Windows Vista

44 opinions for Vista Black Screen on Toshiba Laptops

  • Tris Hussey
    Apr 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    I’m guessing a flaw in hibernation or something. Try disabling all sleep and hibernation when on AC.

    T @ ML2

  • Adam
    Apr 30, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    I am having this exact same problem with my wife’s laptop. If you find out the solution, please let me know :)

  • Jason Bean
    May 1, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    Tris, I disabled everything when on AC power. Still no luck figuring out what the root cause is on the machine.

  • Eli
    May 3, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    1) Try to look in event viewer for a problem cause…

    2) Can be a graphic card driver problem. Even when Vista can’t find updated driver it already can exist on the manufacturer site (Toshiba). If so try to install even if it unsigned by Microsoft.

    ! Event viewer at first - to be sure !

  • Gwendolyn
    May 22, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    I am having the exact same problem with my brand new Toshiba Satellite lap top.

    I called the help line and they told me to erase everything and reload the system back to factory settings. I am not saavy at all with computers and have no idea even how to do that or how to reload the printer or the high speed (dealer did it).

    Anybody have any ideas other than that?

  • Jason Bean
    May 22, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Gwendolyn I wouldn’t advise doing a complete wipe and reinstall at this point. That’s much more of a headache than just dealing with the random shut-downs in my opinion. Keep tuned to this site as I can guarantee you as soon as I find a solution I’ll be posting it here.

  • Danielle
    May 30, 2008 at 9:29 am

    I too just experienced a similar issue with my Toshiba Satellite lap top. I was working on computer when all of a sudden it shut down and when i turned it back on you can hear that the computer is working but the screen is black. I am starting to think that this is a toshiba satellite issue as it looks like a lot of people are having the same issue.

  • Gwendolyn
    May 31, 2008 at 10:49 am

    I searched the Toshiba Canada site and found this link……….

    (toshiba.ca/supporhttp://209.167.114.38/support/TechSupport/TSBs/ALL/-TSB001448.htmt)

    I downloaded a new BIOS last weekend….and so far….haven’t had any more blackouts.

    People may want to try this out.

  • Possible Solution for Toshiba Laptop Monitor Blackouts
    Jun 2, 2008 at 11:29 pm

    […] may have a solution for everyone experiencing the random screen blackouts on Toshiba laptops. After seeing this comment by Gwendolyn, I decided to go visit the Toshiba website again and see if […]

  • More Integration of Windows Update
    Jun 3, 2008 at 12:30 am

    […] hopefully finding a solution to my wife’s laptop problems, I began wondering to myself, why in the world didn’t Windows Update notice there were BIOS […]

  • spicyguy
    Jun 3, 2008 at 9:11 am

    I just purchased my P205D-S7802 (Factory Refurbished) and had the same problem a couple times so far. I think it is a common problem and weak point for Toshiba Satellite that make this model price dropped so fast. Other than this problem, I enjoy it so much.

    I did try download new updated BIOS from Toshiba Canada as Gwendolyn recommended. Will update the situation later whether it is doing any helps.

    By the way, the link has some mistake and should be

    http://209.167.114.38/support/TechSupport/TSBs/ALL/-TSB001448.htm

    Thanks anyway, Gwendolyn. It is some thing to try on.

  • spicyguy
    Jun 4, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    I am pretty sure that the problem is solved. It is now almost 2 days that I haven’t had a single black out. Everything seems to work just fine after an installation of an updated BIOS.

  • Jason Bean
    Jun 4, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    I agree, no black-outs for us either.

  • najdy98
    Jun 27, 2008 at 10:43 am

    for the records I have the same problem

    my Toshiba Satellite lap top. I was working on computer when all of a sudden it shut down and when i turned it back on you can hear that the computer is working but the screen is black

  • Jason Bean
    Jun 27, 2008 at 11:15 am

    najdy98 be sure and go to the Toshiba website directly and look for a BIOS update for your laptop model.

  • Doogie
    Jul 6, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    Thanks everyone. The tip to update the BIOS worked great. Updated to BIOS 1.40 and all is well. Toshiba even had a cool piece of software that lets you flash the BIOS directly within Windows (no need to create a diskette/CD and reboot to install the new BIOS)

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 7, 2008 at 12:54 am

    Glad that worked for you.

  • Leo
    Jul 18, 2008 at 9:40 am

    I was having the same issue with the black screen crash daily (or many times a day). Since doing the bios flash from the Toshiba site, I haven’t had it happen (going on a week now). Anyone having the issue should do it.

  • ZMAN
    Jul 19, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    I have a Toshiba Satelte A215/4747, 1 month ago the lcd was replaced under warrnty
    .Now my screen is black and I tried all the above, still black. The best part is my warranty is now over, any ideas?

  • Leo
    Jul 20, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    okay, stupid question but did you choose the correct bios update for your model laptop as there are many different ones listed?

  • Amy G
    Jul 22, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    Thanks for creating this string - I thought the problem was unique and maybe hopeless. I’ll try the Bios update. The link directions specify which version of BIOS to install for the different Satellite models.

  • Narek
    Jul 28, 2008 at 3:41 am

    Hey guys, if I can’t get out of the black screen, how am I supposed to apply this update? If I turn off the computer using the power button and turn it back on it just goes back into this black screen

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 28, 2008 at 9:07 am

    Narek, once we rebooted our laptops we didn’t immediately come back into the blacks screen. I would keep trying, but once you’ve forced it to power down, let it sit for awhile plugged in. Not sure if that will help or not but I’d give it a try.

  • gamecraziness
    Jul 28, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    I have Toshiba A200-AH7. This was happening to me before, and I reformatted it. The screen didn’t go black for a few weeks, but then it started again. I installed the BIOS but no change. I noticed the screen blacks out only when the laptop is unplugged, and I already tried changing the power settings.

  • najdy98
    Jul 29, 2008 at 3:58 pm

    my toshiba laptop is A135-S4427
    OS vista
    I dowload the BIOS update but I have no clue how to install it can any one help plz. I search the internet looking for instructions for my model without success

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 29, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    najdy98 look for the self-executable .exe version of the BIOS update. Double-click and let it run itself.

  • amprunner
    Jul 29, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    I have the same problem and I tried to download the update from the Toshiba website. However, there wasn’t one for a Satellite A105, the model wasn’t even listed. Should I download one of the others or what?

  • ZMAN
    Jul 29, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    I ended up replacing the power inverter, it worked. I ordered it on-line , total with shipping 28.00.

    Thanks to all!

  • ZMAN
    Jul 29, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    Leo.

    That was a good question, I had a hard time finding the correct bios, luckily it was the screen power inverter not the bios.

    Thanks, ZMAN

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 29, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Is that even a known issue cause? How did you determine to even think about the power inverter?

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 29, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    amprunner, the model I updated was an A105, what sub-model do you have? It should be on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop.

  • amprunner
    Jul 30, 2008 at 12:36 am

    It’s a Satellite A105-S4284 model PSAA8U-0FH02K

    I used the link spicyguy gave above but the model wasn’t listed for my computer.

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 30, 2008 at 12:47 am

    Amprunner, I believe this is the link to the BIOS update you want. http://tinyurl.com/5df8op

  • amprunner
    Jul 30, 2008 at 7:50 am

    thanks, i dowloaded the update but when i tried to install it nothing happened. It said you are about to install updates for BIOS keep your computer plugged in, close applications, all of that. But nothing happened when I clicked okay.

  • ZMAN
    Jul 30, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Jason Bean,
    I typed in my problem in my search engine, a bunch of sites like this came up. By process of elimination I knew it coul be only four things.
    1. Video card
    2. Backlight bulbs
    3. Screen power inverter
    4. Bios update

    1. I hook up a separate screen,eveything worked fine, tht eliminated the video card.
    2.Next I downloaded the bios update, very hard to find and wasn’t sure I had the right one, this didn’twork.
    3. I didn’t feel the bulbs were bad, just a hunch.
    4. So I ordered the inverter and searched on-line on how to replace it, it was easy and worked.

    By the way, Toshiba lost a class action lawsuit on some models with this problem, my model wasn’t included. They have a huge problem with power inverters. so do other manufacterers, shame on them.

  • Jason Bean
    Jul 30, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    ZMAN,

    Great information and research to share with us. I’m glad you found a solution and also helped our readers with another option if the BIOS update doesn’t work for them.

  • najdy98
    Jul 31, 2008 at 10:30 am

    thank you Jason Bean for your help

    can any one tell me if this file self-executable .exe version of the BIOS update

    file descriotion
    Version: 1.40
    Size: 4,301,952 bytes
    Posted: 06/01/07
    Released Date: 05/23/07
    Applicable Categories: BIOS
    Operating System: Windows Vista, BIOS
    Package: WinZIP 32-bit self-extracting ZIP file includes both Windows-based and diskette based BIOS update installation options. See the included README file for details.
    File: sa130d0v14.exe

    file link
    http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_dtlViewDL.jsp?soid=1754599&moid=1598555&rpn=PSAD0U&BV_SessionID=@@@@0828505986.1217513264@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadeekhlgedjcgfkceghdgngdgnj.0&ct=DL&all_docs=false

    I have toshiba A135-S4427 vista

  • amprunner
    Aug 2, 2008 at 11:02 am

    i really think it’s a bios problem, and maybe i’m just doing something wrong. i’m trying to run the update through the option of windows, rather than create a cd or diskette because i don’t have the means do the two latter options. I click on install from windows, then i get a pop up saying

    Warning:

    You are about to update system Rom. Please be advised that you’re computer is running one external power, close applications, and your system will automatically shut down.

    Do you want to update BIOS now?

    I click yes but nothing happens. Nothing. No update manager starts or anything. I can even click the launcher again and do the same thing.

  • DJ Do $tackz
    Aug 2, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    THANK YOU, FINALLY!!!! SOMETHING WORKS, WELL ACTUALLY I DON’T KNOW YET…. THE BIOS DID NEED UPDATING ON MINE. BOUT TO MIX IT UP FOR A WHILE AND SEE IF THE SCREEN BLACKSOUT AGAIN.

    (I have a A215-S4747)

  • Gavrilo
    Aug 6, 2008 at 1:16 am

    well, in the start sorry for my bad english :)

    well,i read 1st post, now im going to read all others, because i got same problem…
    i got this laptop a200-23k (present from girlfriend:) and have sam problem, OS vista,
    and have one-call solution:
    if you wor, and screen went blank, just pres standby button, resume it, and youll have screen back
    or
    start button + L button (switch user) and than pres enter…thats worked to me.

    (i think there is curse `if you buy this to persone you truly love, youll got blank screeen` :)

  • Lars
    Aug 22, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Satellite A200-PSAE6E, same problem. I’ve tried everything, nothing works… Two BIOS updates, display driver updates,… Did anyone bring it in for reparation? I have a two year warranty, but I’ll be well gutted to miss my laptop for two weeks.

  • Gavrilo
    Aug 25, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    same,A200-PSAE6E.
    i tried all,BIOS updates, display driver updates,
    My only chance is to return it, and use waranty,
    I will miss my laptop for that time he repairs…. :(
    i hope we get new ones Lars…

  • panos
    Sep 7, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    i have the same laptop and the thing is that the screen starts blinking in waves(if i can use that word) and will stop only if i put it to sleep.the thing is that after a bios update my laptop won’t sleep when it’s plugged but it will do it when on battery..could you please help me?

  • Jason Bean
    Sep 7, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Not familiar with the “waves” issue. The reason your laptop won’t sleep while it’s plugged in is probably because of a power setting you’ve got configured in the control panel.

Have an opinion? Leave a comment: