FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

General:



Technical:

General:

Technical:

  • 1. Why is my notebook computer too hot or overheats?
    Please click here for more details.

  • 2. Why is the display on my notebook dim?
    Depending on your power management settings, your display may appear dim. You can adjust the screen brightness using the following methods:
    1. » For those models that support these Toshiba hotkeys, press Fn+F6 to decrease brightness and Fn+F7 to increase brightness.
    2. » You can also adjust the brightness on your screen, using the Toshiba Power Saver/Toshiba Power management settings.
    NOTE: If your display is VERY dim to the extent where you can barely see your desktop, then this is not a power management setting. You should have your screen checked by a Toshiba Authorized Service Provider.

  • 3. Why does a Hard Disk Drive fail? (i.e Bad sectors)
    The notebooks hard disk drive (HDD) is similar in design to a record player. Like a record, it is susceptible to damage through sudden shock and the disk surface can get scratched. Thereby, damaging the information held on the disk. This is the most common cause of HDD failure and is not a manufacturing defect.

    Users should wait for the HDD indicator light to go out before they move the computer. Additionally, take extra measure to ensure that the notebook computer is not dropped or subjected to sudden impact even if in a carrying case.

    Hard Drives are very expensive and the only method to secure and protect your data is to backup your data on a regular basis.

  • 4. Why is my notebook battery not holding charge, has short battery life, or does not last?
    Battery life may vary depending on product model configuration, applications, power management settings and features utilized, as well as the natural performance variations produced by the design of individual components. Published battery life numbers are achieved on selected models and configurations tested by Toshiba at the time of publication. After going through many charge and recharge cycles, the battery will lose its ability to perform at maximum capacity. This is normal for all batteries.
  • 5. Can I recover HDD passwords?
    HDD passwords are designed to be 100% secure and there is nothing available to reset or remove the HDD password. Users must ensure they have regular data backups. A new HDD will be required and is not covered by the standard warranty.
  • 6. Why does my notebook seem to run slower than normal or locking up?
    Possible causes of a unit running slow or locking up may include one or more of the following:
    • » Automatic Virus updates/background scans
    • » Automatic Windows updates
    • » Logging into a network
    • » Running on batteries instead of A/C power (Power Management)
    • » Too many applications running (turn off applications you are not currently using)
    • » Virus scanner or Firewall may be blocking a file or application which requires user intervention
    • » Software conflicts or incompatibility with hardware (Check hardware requirements and uninstall any newly installed software before the unit started slowing down or locking up)
    • » Software applications may need updated drivers or patches (check manufactures website for updates and patches)
    • » Hardware peripherals incompatibility (remove/detach any newly attached peripherals and check manufactures website for updated drivers and patches)
    • » Reboot machine if unit has not been rebooted in a long time (this will restart/refresh any used cycles that may be looping in the background)
    • » Hung application (check task manager for any applications that says "not responding" and end task on those applications)
    • » Extreme temperature or dusty environment (machine may over heat if temperature is too hot, or fan/vents are clogged with dust causing insufficient ventilation)
    • » Transferring or installation of large files may cause the machine to run slow (wait until hard drive activity stops and performance will be restored to normal)
    Note: If the unit is truly locked up, a hard shut down is required (Press and hold the power button until the unit shuts down)
  • 7. I cannot recover the OS after the repair. A "Wrong Machine error" message is displayed.
    It is most likely that the DMI information is missing after your last repair. Please contact the Toshiba Authorized Service Provider who performed the last repair on your notebook.
  • 8. My notebook is locked / frozen and I cannot shut it down.
    If your notebook is locked/frozen and you are unable to shut down the notebook from the operating system, you will need to perform a hardware reset. To do this, press the POWER button for several seconds until the POWER LED on your notebook is off. Restart your notebook by pressing POWER button again.

    NOTE: Hardware reset should only be done if your notebook has locked up and you are unable to shutdown your notebook from the operating system.
  • 9. Is there a need to update my notebooks BIOS?
    New BIOS are released for functionality and performance improvements. Please check the Toshiba support download page for a BIOS update if required.

  • 10. How Do I Update the BIOS?
    First download the BIOS for your model and refer to the specific instructions on the downloads page.

  • 11. How Do I Access the BIOS Settings?
    Go to Start -> Control Panel and choose Toshiba HWSetup. For more information on other methods, please refer to your User Manual.

  • 12. I have forgotten my BIOS password, how do I unlock it?
    If you have forgotten a BIOS password, please bring your notebook and proof of purchase to a Toshiba Authorized Service Provider. (Please note: Service charges will apply.) For a list of Authorized Service Providers, please click here for more details.

  • 13. I cannot connect to the internet wirelessly. How can I resolve this?
    For general wireless troubleshooting, please refer to the following links:
    For Windows XP: Click here for more details.
    For Windows Vista: Click here for more details.

    Note: Please ensure that your notebook wireless switch is turned ON.

  • 14. What is ConfigFree?
    ConfigFree is a suite of utilities designed to allow easy control of communication devices and network connections. ConfigFree also allows you to find communication problems and create profiles for easy switching between locations and communication networks. ConfigFree contains the following utilities: SUMMIT, Search for Wireless Devices, Connectivity Doctor, Devices, Profiles, Quick Connect. For more information, you can right click on the Configfree icon on the taskbar and select "Help".

  • 15. What do I do if my hard disk is faulty and I need to recover data?
    It is highly recommended to backup your data on a regular basis. For cases when the notebook Hard Disk Drive (HDD) becomes faulty and data recovery is needed, users are recommended to inquire to CBL Data Recovery Technologies (S) Pte Ltd (CBL). CBL is recommended by all major hard disk manufacturers to perform data recovery without voiding the warranty.

    For more information, please contact Toshiba Global Support Center (TGSC) at http://pc.toshiba-asia.com/hotline. TGSC local and international toll-free numbers are also available on the same link.