Ok, so I'm working on my uncle's laptop ATM. Right now I don't have the model with me, just need to pick it up when I have a reasonable solution to follow through on. It's a Toshiba running Windows 7 Home Premium, or at least it WAS.
So automatic updates were installing as such (normal day to day operations for him) and he set it to shut down. During the shut down process, it's configuring the updates, right? Well during that process, his daughter gets fed up with how long it's taking to shut down since she wants to use it ASAP, and holds the power button down. Problem now, is that the thing refuses to POST at all. Can't even access the BIOS.
From a complete power down to hitting the power button, it shows the splash screen with its logo, and whatever F key to access the BIOS. I hit the key, and it does the exact same thing when I'm don't press the key, which is after the splash screen, all it shows is a blank black screen with a flickering underscore at the very top. No activity afterwards, just sits there.
Now I wanna try using my own laptop parts such as swapping out my RAM for his stuff to see if it's possibly a RAM malfunction and/or swapping out my HDD (since my SSD is on its way). I've pulled out the individual SO-DIMMs to see if either one could be an issue (but then I want to test both on my laptop when I get the chance since it's a working machine) but that changed nothing. I'm kind of leaning towards RAM being the culprit though.
I've also found out that similar models made around the same time had soldering issues w/ the mobo and the power connectors and such (beyond what I want to mess with ATM), and some people have simply said that they bought a new battery and it was fine. With the battery though, I've pulled it out and booted straight from AC and nothing changes AFAIK.
Now, seeing as it won't POST at all, I'm wondering if updating the BIOS (if it's possibly corrupted) is even possible. The warranty period has been over for quite some time FYI. Now, does this seem like a hopeless thing or what?
Any thoughts or suggestions outside of what I've already done would be greatly appreciated, and don't worry about dumbing down any instructions, as I am A+ certified myself. Meanwhile, I'll be looking up more info on this dumb thing for a bit. Oh and you can probably find me on vent if that's more convenient for you. Either way, please don't go too far out of your way to help, we're all busy people.
Thanks!
