[Voidness]

Hello,

I've got my hands on a Toshiba Satellite X205 that belongs to a friend of mine. Roughly two weeks ago he tried to update the BIOS in attempt to solve some issues he had with it. Unfortunately, the BIOS update failed, and now the computer won't boot. He first tried to contact the local Toshiba support center, but the only solution they had was a motherboard replacement. He obviously wants to avoid replacing the motherboard of an out-of-warranty notebook, so he gave it to me to try and fix it.

I've updated the BIOS of many PCs before, but fortunately I've never encountered a failed update. So I searched the internet and found the Crisis Recovery solution, as mentioned in many threads in this forum. I've been trying with this solution for about a week, but so far no avail.

I'll try to summarize the things I've tried so far:

• Pressing the power button causes the hard drive and HD-DVD drive to spin up, and then nothing else. Looks like a bad BIOS.
  
• Powering up the notebook while pressing Fn+B causes the fans to spin up at full speed, and it also tries to read from the HD-DVD drive. This clearly indicates that the notebook is in Crisis Recovery Mode.
  
• To create the Crisis Recovery Disk, I used the files found on this website: http://crd.y1.cc/
  
• I downloaded the latest BIOS update from Toshiba's website, version 2.5
  
• Using an external USB floppy drive, I use the downloaded files to create a Crisis Recovery Disk (I tried both the Windows and DOS methods).
  
• If I use a version of PHLASH16.EXE older than 1.6.x, the notebook in Crisis Recovery Mode will read the floppy for 2 minutes and then it does nothing. However, if I use any 1.6.x version, it just briefly reads the floppy and then does nothing.
  
• The notebook makes no beeps or noises at all, no matter in which mode or what it's doing.
  
• In addition to the above, I tried the methods that involve autoexec.bat, but they also don't work.

That's about it, am I missing something? A lot of people seem to have success with fixing their PCs using the Crisis Recovery Disk, but not here so far.

[Mudhi]

I don't know if work or not, but try other PHLASHxx.exe, rename it to PHLASH16.exe and try older BIOS.

[Voidness]

That's what I did. I renamed the PHLASHxx.EXE to PHLASH16.EXE . The thing is, versions older than 1.6.x.x read the floppy drive for about 2 minutes, then nothing happens (I waited about 30 minutes). However, the 1.6.x.x versions only briefly read the floppy drive and then nothing happens. Has anyone come across this behavior?

I tried older versions of the BIOS, namely versions 2.5, 1.9, and 1.8 . These were the versions I could find for this particular notebook.

[Mudhi]

Try a bootable CD or a USB flash drive?

[elderMohi]

Voidness, on Apr 12 2009, 10:50 PM, said:

Hello,

I've got my hands on a Toshiba Satellite X205 that belongs to a friend of mine. Roughly two weeks ago he tried to update the BIOS in attempt to solve some issues he had with it. Unfortunately, the BIOS update failed, and now the computer won't boot. He first tried to contact the local Toshiba support center, but the only solution they had was a motherboard replacement. He obviously wants to avoid replacing the motherboard of an out-of-warranty notebook, so he gave it to me to try and fix it.

I've updated the BIOS of many PCs before, but fortunately I've never encountered a failed update. So I searched the internet and found the Crisis Recovery solution, as mentioned in many threads in this forum. I've been trying with this solution for about a week, but so far no avail.

I'll try to summarize the things I've tried so far:

• Pressing the power button causes the hard drive and HD-DVD drive to spin up, and then nothing else. Looks like a bad BIOS.
  
• Powering up the notebook while pressing Fn+B causes the fans to spin up at full speed, and it also tries to read from the HD-DVD drive. This clearly indicates that the notebook is in Crisis Recovery Mode.
  
• To create the Crisis Recovery Disk, I used the files found on this website: http://crd.y1.cc/
  
• I downloaded the latest BIOS update from Toshiba's website, version 2.5
  
• Using an external USB floppy drive, I use the downloaded files to create a Crisis Recovery Disk (I tried both the Windows and DOS methods).
  
• If I use a version of PHLASH16.EXE older than 1.6.x, the notebook in Crisis Recovery Mode will read the floppy for 2 minutes and then it does nothing. However, if I use any 1.6.x version, it just briefly reads the floppy and then does nothing.
  
• The notebook makes no beeps or noises at all, no matter in which mode or what it's doing.
  
• In addition to the above, I tried the methods that involve autoexec.bat, but they also don't work.

That's about it, am I missing something? A lot of people seem to have success with fixing their PCs using the Crisis Recovery Disk, but not here so far.

Ihave the same problem. My computer model is satellite A100-991. It beeps for two minutes when using old PHLASH16.EXE and seems to do something(it reads from FDD and don't restart) but with new versions it read from FDD for un instant then it stops. I think the problem is not with the FDD but perhaps there is something missing. Have someone any precise idea.

Thanks for replying!!!

[Mudhi]

Here is a link may usefull, this guy also mention TEG forum. http://web.telia.com...-recovery-disk/

[elderMohi]

Mudhi, on Apr 15 2009, 12:18 PM, said:

Here is a link may usefull, this guy also mention TEG forum. http://web.telia.com...-recovery-disk/

Thanks!

I have seen this page but. It's clear. I tryed many times but no way.
Is there someone who have Toshiba a100 whith a broken screen for example to sell. This solves the problem.

[Voidness]

Mudhi, on Apr 15 2009, 07:18 AM, said:

Here is a link may usefull, this guy also mention TEG forum. http://web.telia.com...-recovery-disk/

That's actually the same website I linked to in my first post.

Anyways, I got the notebook working again! It only worked after I got PHLASH16 version 1.6.5.4 to actually read from the floppy. So it's only a matter of getting the right version to work with your PC.

For anyone interested, I attached the version that worked with me to this post. Just extract the zip file, copy the latest version of your PC's BIOS and rename it to BIOS.WPH, and run WINCRIS.EXE to create a Minidos floppy.

I hope this helps

Attached File(s)

•  CRISDISK.zip (189.73K)
  Number of downloads: 374

[YLstang]

Lesson learned, as long as it works DON'T FLASH the BIOS, If it ain't broke don't fix it Not everybody is able to recover

[YLstang]

elderMohi, welcome to TEG , you really need to start your own thread, that way all answers will be specifically for you and keep confusion down

[snathans]

Hi there Voidness:

First off many thanks for sharing the zipped crisdisk. I used your distribution to revive my zombie lappie after
a bios upgrade that went horribly wrong. Here's my long winded, blow by blow account that could help someone out there despairing with a bricked Toshiba Satellite :-)

Here's what happened with my lappie ...

I have a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437 Toshiba Part Number: P5AFGU-00L002, (running win Vista),which i bought from Fry's over an year and half ago (Nov 2007). I had been plagued by the screen blacking, a raft of keyboard and power related issues. During the one year period of owning the junk, i have had 4 bios upgrades from Toshiba to fix a host of issues, without ever facing this failed bios update predicament before. Toshiba tech support recommended bios upgrade for fixing a keyboard related issue (ACPI Flash BIOS version 1.80). I followed all the instructions faithfully and ended up with a bricked lappie. Same situation as your's, black screen, lit power led and some faint signs of spinning disk and fan but little else to talk about, in other words an expensive paper weight as someone put it.

I was fast losing hope, going through endless permutations of (phlash16.exe and bios images)described at http://web.telia.com...-recovery-disk/ and almost nearly getting a massive coronary myself, in the process. Then I chanced upon your replies and the zipped distribution and everything fell into place.

Here is a step by step account of what i did to revive my lappie:

Preparing the disk.

1. Unzipped your crisis disk to my desktop

2. Downloaded safgv180.exe,safgv170.exe, safgv150.exe and safgv130.exe (avoid version 1.8 there is something wrong with the image). I chose bios version 1.30 to be on the safe side and since it worked for me in the past without major headaches.

3. Unzipped the contents of safgv130.exe and renamed the m10a130.rom file to bios.wph

4. Put a floppy in A: and ran wincris.exe to create the floppy.

Reflashing the zombie lappie:

1. Removed the batteries and hard drive (don't need it for reflashing), unplugged the power chord.
2. Attached a USB floppy drive (i bought a targus usb floppy drive from Fry's electronics).
3. Connected the power chord while keeping the Fn+B pressed down.
4. After the floppy started being read, i released the Fn+B
5. Left the lappie alone until the process completed. (around 2-5 minutes, i think. During the entire process, i did not
hear any noises other than the floppy being read and the floppy drive led indicating activity.
6. It powered down/rebooted itself and the screen came to life with the AMD and phoenix tech logo.

I am attaching the zipped file of the disk I used, for anyone with a disabled Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437. I suspect it would work with other Toshiba models as well... Be sure to replace the bios.wph with bios image that is specific to your model.

Attached File(s)

•  PhoenixBiosRecovery.zip (846.69K)
  Number of downloads: 458

[jakbnimble]

I am having a similar problem with a Toshiba A305,i was flashing the bios when the computer went to restart.Now it powers on cd drive tries to read ,hard drive light flashes and all leds as well as the fans are on.I have been looking into this but it seems most of the crisis recovery options are for every thing but INSYDE bios.Does anybody out there know where i can get INSYDE C2R (crisis 2 repair)supposedly Insyde's version of crisis recovery.

[mtsatut]

@snathans Thanks for you thorough description.

Had the same issue you described on an attempted update to 1.90 last night on a similar model: Toshiba A215-S7422. The machine powered down on it's own during the update and now it won't post or boot.

Waiting on a friend to bring over a USB Floppy and will attempt the repair. Are you still on 1.30 and would you recommend that instead of trying to get to the current version?

[Mudhi]

Although I never failed on BIOS flashing... always done it from DOS, but I remember a post here that new version not working for recovery, but old version does, anyway, you need to recover your laptop frist before anything, later on you can still upgrade to new version from DOS, and before doing so, call the manufacturer first, ask for their ID, write it down and let them guide you for update BIOS, if failed, you can blame them, and they will recover your BIOS at no cost.

[mtsatut]

Mudhi, on Jun 25 2009, 09:26 AM, said:

Although I never failed on BIOS flashing... always done it from DOS, but I remember a post here that new version not working for recovery, but old version does, anyway, you need to recover your laptop frist before anything, later on you can still upgrade to new version from DOS, and before doing so, call the manufacturer first, ask for their ID, write it down and let them guide you for update BIOS, if failed, you can blame them, and they will recover your BIOS at no cost.

I must have flashed a hundred machines, and this was my first failure. I think I'll follow your advice and go to 1.30 version that worked for snathans, and then try a dos base update with Toshiba assistance, if only to keep them honest!

[Phill]

mtsatut, on Jun 25 2009, 10:54 AM, said:

@snathans Thanks for you thorough description.

Had the same issue you described on an attempted update to 1.90 last night on a similar model: Toshiba A215-S7422. The machine powered down on it's own during the update and now it won't post or boot.

Waiting on a friend to bring over a USB Floppy and will attempt the repair. Are you still on 1.30 and would you recommend that instead of trying to get to the current version?

I had the identical problem 3 days ago with the identical machine (Toshiba A215-S7422). Were you able to get yours working using this procedure and versions numbers?

[mtsatut]

Phill, on Jul 5 2009, 03:05 PM, said:

mtsatut, on Jun 25 2009, 10:54 AM, said:

@snathans Thanks for you thorough description.

Had the same issue you described on an attempted update to 1.90 last night on a similar model: Toshiba A215-S7422. The machine powered down on it's own during the update and now it won't post or boot.

Waiting on a friend to bring over a USB Floppy and will attempt the repair. Are you still on 1.30 and would you recommend that instead of trying to get to the current version?

I had the identical problem 3 days ago with the identical machine (Toshiba A215-S7422). Were you able to get yours working using this procedure and versions numbers?

I'm afraid I have bad news. I couldn't get the unit to go into recovery mode. I hit tried all the fn keys specified, but it would not start ready from the floppy. My guess is that the failure of the flash corrupted the recovery section as well. If anyone else has ideas on how to perform a recovery at this point, I am all ears.

I brought the unit to a Toshiba certified group here in Chicago (actually Skokie, IL) and they indicated that they could try to reprogram the bios through the motherboard for 75, if it failed, then I was out 75 and looking at 150-250 for a new motherboard + labor. Most likely going to get a new laptop instead.

[daniel022]

Hi,

I also tried using the above method on a Satellite A215-S7422 without any luck.

Anybody else got this working?

Thanks in advance,

Daniel.

[gamergeek]

Thanks so much!!!! I spent a whole day trying to get my laptop to boot the crisis-recovery-disk and it worked the fist time after reading and downloading your zipped....!!!!

Voidness, on Apr 21 2009, 07:06 AM, said:

Mudhi, on Apr 15 2009, 07:18 AM, said:

Here is a link may usefull, this guy also mention TEG forum. http://web.telia.com...-recovery-disk/

That's actually the same website I linked to in my first post.

Anyways, I got the notebook working again! It only worked after I got PHLASH16 version 1.6.5.4 to actually read from the floppy. So it's only a matter of getting the right version to work with your PC.

For anyone interested, I attached the version that worked with me to this post. Just extract the zip file, copy the latest version of your PC's BIOS and rename it to BIOS.WPH, and run WINCRIS.EXE to create a Minidos floppy.

I hope this helps

[BoH24]

Thanks snathans for the file. I finally tried a Win + F key combo and it worked!!! Toshiba A215
Thanks to voidness also.

This post has been edited by BoH24: 19 July 2009 - 01:21 AM