racer914
Member
Hi all,
I am new to the forum, and hoping to get some help. I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro 430CDS laptop with a Pentium and running Windows 95 that worked until recently, but now won't start. I have this laptop to program some older aftermarket automobile engine management software that doesn't play nicely with newer computers. This laptop generally worked well for me for a year or two after I got it. Now when I try to turn it on, it briefly makes the usual startup sounds, including what I think may be the hard drive momentarily trying to start. Then nothing aside from what I assume to be a fan running. Nothing ever appears on the display.
A few observations/notes:
- I tried plugging in a modern monitor using the VGA plug to rule out a display issue. Nothing.
- Before the computer stopped working, I was getting "Bad RTC battery" errors on each startup, which I understand is related to the CMOS. I've since read that if the CMOS battery is far enough gone that it can can odd behavior possibly including not starting up. Could it cause the problem I'm experiencing?
- I recall getting some hard drive errors not long before it stopped working. It happened a couple times. I was prompted to perform a repair function like chkdisk (but don't recall exactly), and each time the computer seemed to function normally again after that.
- I managed to download a Toshiba service manual for this model, and the steps suggest that the display could be the issue, but I think I may have ruled that out testing with the external monitor.
Any suggestions for things to check appreciated! Thank you.
Scott
I am new to the forum, and hoping to get some help. I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro 430CDS laptop with a Pentium and running Windows 95 that worked until recently, but now won't start. I have this laptop to program some older aftermarket automobile engine management software that doesn't play nicely with newer computers. This laptop generally worked well for me for a year or two after I got it. Now when I try to turn it on, it briefly makes the usual startup sounds, including what I think may be the hard drive momentarily trying to start. Then nothing aside from what I assume to be a fan running. Nothing ever appears on the display.
A few observations/notes:
- I tried plugging in a modern monitor using the VGA plug to rule out a display issue. Nothing.
- Before the computer stopped working, I was getting "Bad RTC battery" errors on each startup, which I understand is related to the CMOS. I've since read that if the CMOS battery is far enough gone that it can can odd behavior possibly including not starting up. Could it cause the problem I'm experiencing?
- I recall getting some hard drive errors not long before it stopped working. It happened a couple times. I was prompted to perform a repair function like chkdisk (but don't recall exactly), and each time the computer seemed to function normally again after that.
- I managed to download a Toshiba service manual for this model, and the steps suggest that the display could be the issue, but I think I may have ruled that out testing with the external monitor.
Any suggestions for things to check appreciated! Thank you.
Scott