calling laptop experts ...

coronadozx · 07-28-2007, 02:35 PM

i just switched out the mobo in my old toshiba satellite m45-s331.

i believe i made all the connections to the mobo but (of course, nothing goes smoothly on the first run) i've got a problem ...

it powers on but doesn't get to start-up screen and then shuts off.

there is no option to enter BIOS, it shuts off before it gets to that point.

suggestions?????

ballistic5 · 07-29-2007, 11:33 PM

bad power connection or replacement mobo is bad.. those are the only reason i see issues like that in a laptop

lbdwag · 07-30-2007, 12:26 AM

I have seen a bad CPU do this also.

ballistic5 · 07-30-2007, 01:21 AM

agreed... forgot to mention that one

coronadozx · 07-30-2007, 01:22 AM

thanks guys ... is there a visual sign of a bad cpu?

ballistic5 · 07-30-2007, 02:01 AM

unless there is a burn mark or missing pins.. there is not a physical sign. just going on what the system does that states if cpu fails

coronadozx · 07-30-2007, 02:10 AM

i already checked for burns but i didn't think about the pins.

i'll check that tomorrow.

CBRAWR · 07-30-2007, 02:29 AM

if you bought the mobo new, there should be some type of troubleshooting section in the manual, and usually when a cpu is fried the pc speaker will beep a number of times.

have you tried resetting CMOS using the jumper pins?

as stated above, the cpu could be fried, and if not, the mobo is dead

prodigal27 · 08-04-2007, 02:41 PM

I feel for you.
I work on M45's all day long at my job, they are by far the most trouble making unit Toshiba has, im surprised they haven't been recalled yet.
Why did you replace the mobo?
Does it POST?
Check to make sure your RAM is seated properly, no video or HDD activity but a power light generally indicates a RAM failure.
Alot of M45 boards we come across are DOA from the manufacturer. If you think you have a faulty board, you just might.

coronadozx · 08-04-2007, 08:15 PM

when the laptop started to go into the OS, it would just shut off ... i tried reloading the OS but kept turning off when it restarted. then i tried to run an OS from a CDROM (DSL = dam small linux) and that would act the same way.

i took it to an "authorized" toshiba repairman and he said it needed to have the mobo replaced ... for a mere $800 he'd do it.

i tried to do it myself, and now it i'm at the point i'm at now.

it does not POST.

i'll also double-check the RAM to ensure it's seated properly. i'm sure it is, but i'll recheck the connections.

thanks bro.

mikem317 · 08-04-2007, 08:50 PM

Reseat the SODIMM(s).

If that doesn't start POST, then you have a bad system board.

+ 1 on bad system boards. Toshibas suck immensely.

prodigal27 · 08-05-2007, 05:11 PM

It's a bad motherboard if the RAM is good, your RAM is probably good.
+1 Mike, this unit in particular, is known for having bad boards.
I'm a authorized Toshiba repair tech, and I'll tell you the qualifications are a JOKE. Knowing how much thermal paste to put on a CPU, how to seat RAM properly, you get the point...
Depending on where you bought your board, send it back and get a different one. You're probably making all the right moves, the only hard part about replacing the board in that unit is remembering to snake out the L shaped cable that leads to the USB ports, before taking off the top cover so you don't unseat it.

coronadozx · 08-05-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prodigal27

... the only hard part about replacing the board in that unit is remembering to snake out the L shaped cable that leads to the USB ports, before taking off the top cover so you don't unseat it.

that would have been nice to know last week

just kidding man.

that wasn't that big of a problem for me, the biggest problem for me was trying to make all those connections when i was only able to keep the laptop apart about 40 degrees.

any advice for that one, other than having extra long needle nose pliers?

prodigal27 · 08-21-2007, 01:22 AM

Sorry, forgot about the thread.

Are you talking about underneath the board for the ethernet ports? What I normally do is take out the board and lift it from the front till it's 45 degrees upwards, then plug them in and set it back down.

mikem317 · 08-21-2007, 11:27 AM

That sounds like a bitch of a machine. But to unseat the board from the cover assemblies or base covers, you are probably going to have to push them out on an angle of some type.