Satellite Pro L300 - Black screen flashing cursor

Hi all,
I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro L300 laptop running Vista.
The client brought it in because when it boots it goes to Toshiba splash screen then goes to black screen with flashing cursor in left top corner. I have connected external monitor with same result. Swapped out RAM as well.
Have run Memtest (passed), Seagate HDD long test (passed), Ultimate boot CD, and Winternals with no success.
*F8 does not work* and nor does Factory recovery.
Can get into BIOS F2 and F12 no problem and the HDD is listed there.
I reinstalled Vista from CD and when rebooted it goes back to flashing cursor. I have attempted Startup repair from Vista CD and System restore. FixBoot from Command Prompt and FixMbr as well with the same result.
I have a feeling it may be a corrupted CMOS? It is like the OS installs properly, but the computer loses it's memory on reboot of where the OS is located?
Is the CMOS battery easily accessible and removable on this model?
Has anyone encountered these symptoms? Is it fixable cheaply?

Hello
If you have clients I presume you are some technician and hope you have some hardware parts in your store.
Have you tried to set BIOS to default settings and check it again?
If possible try to exchange HDD and test the functionality again.
Can you use notebook with Linux live CD (HDD not needed)?
To be honest I dont think problem is BIOS and, in my opinion, CMOS battery exchange is not necessary.
Test it please with new HDD and post some feedback.

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WORK AROUND: Black screen/flashing cursor trying to boot windows cd

This refers to the black screen with flashing underline cursor in the top left corner problem that happens after using bootcamp to setup your partition & then rebooting with the windows install CD in the driver. Install never starts, you just get this black screen with flashing cursor. seems to affect many different types of macs attempting to boot both XP & Vista.
I tried rebooting about 10 times. No luck. Same problem. Tried running disk verify/repair after removing partition, no luck. Remade boot camp partition, no luck.
Finally I pointed Parallels (free trial available) to my blank bootcamp partition and set parallels to boot from CD before HD. Parallels booted the Vista install CD just fine, and put Vista on my HD. Crashed at the end though and said it couldn't make the boot camp partition bootable so all changes were removed. Rebooted under boot camp and the installer came up fine off the CD. I'm now running vista (SP1 even) under bootcamp just fine. Parallels just lets you get past that boot-up bug.
So if you have this problem, and nobody else can help, and if you can find it, maybe you can download..... Parallels.
Feel free to post this on the other threads. Unlike other workarounds I'm guessing this will work for everyone and it only takes a free trial download of parallels to give it a try. Just remember to setup the virtual machine to use the bootcamp partition as the target drive, and then go under the edit virtual machine, then OPTIONS, then BOOT tab and set it to boot from cd before HD. Switch it back when you are done.
Then run boot camp assistant again and select the install OS option. Should run the installer correctly (thus overwriting anything parallels put on the partition).
I think VMWare Fusion also supports vitualization with the bootcamp partition as the target so that may help you get around this problem.

I have resolved this issue for four of our iMac computers with either of the following solutions. I realize that these solutions might seem awkward, but these solutions have been the only solutions that have successfully resolved this same issue for four different machines.
Solution 1
On the Mac OS partition, leave the Boot Camp partition that has yet to be configured.
Leave the Windows install disk in the optical drive.
Shut down the computer.
Unplug all cables.
Hold the power button for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Plug in all cables.
Turn the power on.
The computer will proceed to install Windows.
Solution 2 (If Solution 1 fails)
On the Mac OS partition, leave the Boot Camp partition that has yet to be configured.
Remove the Windows install disk from the optical drive.
Shut down the computer.
Unplug all cables.
Hold the power button for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Plug in all cables.
Turn the power on.
A black screen will appear prompting for a bootable disk.
Load the Windows install disk.
Shut down the computer by holding the power button.
Turn on the computer.
The computer will proceed to install Windows.

Satellite Pro L40: black screen but faint image in the background

Satellite Pro L40-17H (PSL4BE-00T005EN)
Hello,
I would appreciate some help with the following problem:
SYMPTOMS: Screen is black, but I can see that there is a faint image in the background.
I get a good image in external monitor.
I suspect, _among others_, that there may be a faulty *lid sensor/switch*, but I have been unable to locate it, although I have disassembled the unit.
If somebody knows, please let me have the exact *location* where I should look for the switch.
Thank you

Thank you RandyRoberts
You are probably right, it is likely that the inverter is faulty, or it might be a bad lamp.
Nevertheless, I cannot exclude the possibility that there is a bad or stuck lid switch. That is why I insist to check that one out as well.
I would still like to know where the lid switch is located on the L40.
Thanks and regards.

MacBook Pro 2102 black screen with cursor

When I opened my MacBook to use I only have a black screen with a light cursor at start up. Anyone else had this issue?

Here is a tip from a user. I have not tested this.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5994694?tstart=0
If this does not help and if you have a backup,erase and install OS X Mavericks.
Erase and Install OS X Mavericks.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14243

Satellite L300 - Black screen and flashing cursor in top left corner

11 July 2010
My computer bought 7 March 2009.
I am not sure if there is a voltage issue, but there is certainly a heat issue and has been since I bought it, almost constantly overheating. For circa 2 months it has become increasingly slower to load to desktop. For circa 1 month the operating system became stuck in a reboot cycle - rebooting over and over instead of starting up normally.
On 11 July 2010, the Windows XP operating system would not boot. Switched on to black screen, flashing cursor in top left corner. The computer does not have a Windows Startup Disk and will not boot into: -
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration (most recent settings that worked)
Start Windows Normally
System Restore - will not provide access.
Recovery Console - the Windows XP CD will boot and provided access to the tool called Recovery Console. Procedures carried out: -
Fix a corrupt Boot.ini - YES
Fix a corrupt partition boot sector - YES
Fix a corrupt master boot record - NO
I have pressed F2, F8, F10 and F12.

Hello
It seems that something has muddled up your Windows installation and so the computer cant boot anymore.
In this case you have only one option and thats reinstalling Windows. Therefore you can take a Microsoft Windows XP disk or (better) Toshiba recovery disk. It will restore factory settings and your computer is read to use again.
Check this!!!

Installing Win 7 via Bootcamp on 27' iMac 2010 gives BLACK screen, BLINKING cursor error (BSBCE)?

Hi All,
All coments appreciated regarding thiis issue.
I have a 2010 27' i7 2.93Ghz iMac with 8Gb ram, 2Tb Seagate, and 256 Samsung SSD.
I am running 10.6.8 with all updates on the 2Tb Seagate (has BC 3.04), and 10.7.1 on the Samsung (has BC 4.0).
I have tried over a dozen times to install Win 7 (both a 32 bit Professional edition and a 64 bit Ultimate edition) on BC partitions on both drives. These have been all on separate occasions of course.
All installs result in what appears to be a successful install, but when the machine reboots to launch Win 7 for the first time, I ALWAYS get a black screen with a blinking cursor error (BSBCE).
This is not the 2009 video card driver issue problem reported so widely and referred to in the Apple article TS3173. I had that model previously and the way around that was to connect a second monitor/LCD for the installation.
No this is a new and separate issue.
And I am no nubie. I have used IT for over 25 years and teach networking courses in the Win and Mac environments.
The problem appears to be in a corrupt boot loader install.
I have used both WIn 7 install disks to do a repair each time. The repair says it is successful but after rebooting all I get is the black screen and flashing cursor, with no keyboard response. I have used both Bluetooth keyboards and USB keyboards. Nothing seems to make a difference re getting WIn 7 to boot after the install on either drive.
I have also used the Bootrec commands in the command window. They all return a successful outcome but when rebooting I see the ever familar BSBCE.
Now,,,,,here is the real puzzle. I copied my previous Win 7 Ultimate install using Winclone before I sold my older 27' iMac.
If I restore that install to the 2010 iMac Win 7 boots fine!
So some error is happening on my current machine when the bootloader/bootmanager is being written to the BC partition.
The problem is there with the BC on both 10.6 and 10.7, and these are different versions of BC!
Now to further complicate the problem, I manage 12X 2011 21.5' iMacs in a lab at work. Win 7 Professional 32bit installed on these machines just as it should (same disks that produces the black screen flashing cursor).
I have read that some people thing it is a Boot Rom version issue, and there may be some substance to this as WIN 7 installs so easily on the 2011 iMacs in my lab.
I called Applecare about this and went through the procedures outlined above. The guy was very helpful and sympathetic but he had no answer to the problem. His suggestion was to pull the SSD out and do it again with only one drive. As the machine can ship from Apple with both of these drives I really do doubt that pulling the SSD would make a difference.
Mac OS 10.6 and 10.7 work fine, no problems on both drives, so I don't think it is a drive issue.
OK Mac gurus...over to you.

I have a bookmark for iMac w/ SSD and hard drive.
There is also the 'req'd reading' in http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp
with one article on Black screen w/ iMac 2010.

Satellite Pro L300-1FN does not boot - hangs at BIOS splash screen

My Satellite pro L300-1FN is refusing to boot up. When switched on the laptop displays the toshiba/insyde H20 BIOS splash screen and the "Press F2 go to Setup Utility, F12 go to boot menu" message and flashes the hard disk access light but does not attempt to continue loading. I have left the bios at the splash screen but it does nothing for many hours on AC or runs the battery flat while on battery.
Is there a way of re-setting the BIOS on this unit? If it were a desktop unit I would remove the CMOS battery to force a BIOS reset but this is impossible on a laptop. The hard disk is fine as I have connected it to another system to remove valuable data.

*I managed to fix this issue* ,,, thanks to some other dudes on other forums
What i did was Format a Floppy disk as MS-DOS boot using a Windows XP PC and USB floppy drive, then downloaded the latest BIOS for my L300-1BW laptop model, copied *.fd bios image to the floppy disk and renamed it to BIOS.fd.
Connect FDD to the toshiba laptop with out AC connected. Held Power button for 12 seconds, connected AC adapter, then held Fn+F, powered on , and kept the Fn+F keys held down for about 10 seconds into the reading of the floppy drive just to be sure, then let go. The screen was black throughout the process. I left this for a few minutes, or until it had finished, the laptop rebooted itself, and voila, it now goes passed the TOSHIBA POST logo screen :)
I hope this helps others with Toshiba Laptops. should work for any Toshiba laptop.

Satellite Pro L300 1AI LCD screen backlight not working

Hi All,
I have a Satellite Pro L300 1AI running Windows Vista the computer boots up and works fine but the backlight on the screen does not appear to be working.
Are there any settings in Vista that can affect this (other than the Fn key command on the keyboard and the settings in Control Panel)? Strangely it only seems to have happened since i installed Skype but I can't see how that could possibly affect it.
Any help is gratefully appriciated...

Hi
Whats wrong exactly? Is notebooks display brightness too low?
Do you see everything on the screen like behind a thick fog?
Well, usually the FL inverter controls the display backlight and if the FL inverter starts to malfunction then you would get the problem like this one.
There is no other solution as to replace this FL inverter.
Its a tiny part behind the display frame I think its a job for an ASP technician
Greets

I have macbook pro 13.3 inch. I am installing window 7 in boot camp manager after copying file of window upto 67% it doesn't response and i had forcely shotdown my macbook. Now my macbook doesn't open and stop in black screen with cursor blinking.

i have macbook pro 13.3 inch. I am installing window 7 in boot camp manager after copying file of window upto 67% it doesn't response and i had forcely shotdown my macbook. Now my macbook doesn't open and stop in black screen with cursor blinking. Now how could i open my macbook pro.

At startup hold down the Option/Alt key and from the screen that comes up select your OS X partition to start the computer from. Then use the Boot Camp Assistant app to Remove Windows and the partition you reated for it and it will Automatically place the space you allocated for the Windows install back into the OS X partition.
NOTE:
Do NOT use Disk Utility to erase the partition that was created for the Windows install. Use the Boot Camp Assistant app again to do that.

Satellite Pro L300 BIOS update problem

Hi
I've an Satellite Pro L300 (PSLBHE).
I downloaded the new bios file and started the upgrade. A window appeared and showed the old and new bios version (v1.70 -> v2.20). About in 1 min. my laptop screen turned to black but HDD green light flashed and didn't anything about 15 mins. After I pushed the power button and the laptop shutdown. Now if I push the power button nothing happen just blank (black) screen and the HDD flashing light.
What's the problem? What can I do? Please help me.
gjon

Problem is that BIOS update is screwed up now. Obviously BIOS update was interrupted and now the BIOS chip is damaged.
What you can do now?
Unfortunately not much. What you need is professional help so I recommend you to contact nearest Toshiba service and ask for help. Sorry.

No Warranty for LCD Pixel dead for a new Laptop Toshiba Satellite Pro L300-EZ1523

Hey,
I bought a Toshiba Satellite Pro L300-EZ1523 Laptop in Oct 2009. In January 2010 My motherboard went dead so I have sent the laptop to the Toshiba Depot Center initially they said they will repair it and send it within 3 - 5 Business day but they took nearly 15 days to ship it back.
Once I have received there is the big surprise. One of the pixel on my screen is dead and I tired calling the Toshiba customer care at 1-800-457-7777 and the transfer the call to Depot center which takes nearly 40 to 50 mins to get an engineer on the call for which we need so much of patients.
Today I requested to transfer the call to the Case Manager and when I told her about the problem she again tells me to call the depot and file a case with them and the UPS for the damage and she also mentioned that there is no warranty covered for the LCD Screen.
But when I shipped the laptop to the Toshiba Depot I don't had any dead pixels. Im tired calling Toshiba can anyone help me out.
Regards,
Prem.

I got problem with my Toshiba tecra A9 laptop. There is thick black line at the corner of LCD, I contacted 2 toshiba service centers but they paased me to the Toshiba support. They said that Toshiba will not pay us for LCD repair and asked me to call toshiba support and ask for their autorisation. I also called toshiba support several times, but they just make me confused. They said randomly some bizzare phrases: the service centers should aks us for autorisation no., LCD did not coverd by warranty, You made a physical damage, contact another service center, we will contact you within this business day...
The reason I have bought Tecra model was that toshiba called it as bussiness class, and offered a 3 years limited warranty!!! But the warranty is a whole fake to cheat with the clients. They even do not care about business and dont understand how our professional life is depends to our laptop. such a shame for them.
They pay some employees to talk with you several hours, just to deny their warranty and don't give you a good service!
I wonder how they calculate the repaire cost of LCD. I already find wensite which offer the LCD just for 95$. There are lots of replacement guide all over internet. I will suggest toshiba that I can service them for LCD replacement for as low as 150$. That would be a good business for me and a big deal for toshiba! At least Toshiba will not loose their clients.
From my side, I will start to aware all student around me at university to never trust Toshiba quality and warranty services and do not risk their professional life with the toshiba product and services! It seems that Dell is going to be the leader in customer services and hence in future market!

Satellite Pro L300 -software-service says I need update for graphics driver

I downloaded the DesignByMe software from http://designbyme.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx
The installation run without problems, but when I want to start the program it restarts over and over again. The picture doesnt load fully, instead there are black spots. I cant click on anything nor close to programm .I thought maybe the installing process didnot finish properly so I downloaded the software again but the problem is still the same. Im using a new Satellite Pro L300 28w with Windows 7 and Mozilla Firefox 3.6
I contacted the lego support and they answered: "You most likely need to update your graphics driver. Please contact your computer manufacturers customer service or website for a free upgrade"
Is this likely and if so which upgrad edo I need?

Hi
I dont know if updating your display driver can solve this problem but if the manufacture of the software says that its worth a try!!! ;)
The update is pretty easy: Firstly download the latest version here:
http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com => Support & Downloads => Download Drivers
If you have downloaded the latest version, remove the old one firstly. Check the software list in control panel and follow the screen instructions. I assume you have to make one restart and after this you can install the downloaded version.
Good luck! :)

Satellite Pro L300 won't start

I have got a Satellite Pro L300 laptop and it will not do anything on startup (in other words on pressing the power button and not going past very first screen).
The keyboard works, but F2 ,F8 or F12 won't do anything, I can here the hard-drive powerup but its like no-one is at home. I don't know if its the motherboard or the on-board battery. The computer is about 7-8 yrs old
Can anyone help.

Yes, this it correct; the Ram modules should be checked. In my opinion you should use good, tested modules.
Some years ago my notebook did not boot up because one of the modules died.
This affected the notebook functionality and display stayed black even pressing the power button.
At the other hand you could try this simple workaround. Sometimes this helps too:
- remove battery, disconnect AC adaptor
- press and hold the power button 30 sec long
- connect both parts battery and ac adaptor and power up the unit.
Good luck

Black screen with cursor blinking for a long time before loading windows 7

Hey guys, i'm having an annoying problem with my macbook pro... i installed windows 7 using bootcamp and now i get a black screen with cursor blinking for a long time before loading windows... it *****, it takes about 3 minutes to get my notebook running
The first time i installed windows seven i did not have this problem... i already deleted the partition several times and installed windows again, but the black screen problem is still happening. i don't know what do
You guys have any tips? anyone with the same problem?? this ***** a lot. thanks

Hey Theoos..
Yeah, my version is not.. the first time i installed it was ok, but after 30 days it was asking for a key... then i installed a cracked version, and the cursor started blinking on start up, and took like 2 minutes...
I tested several cracks but with all of them happened the same.
Thanks

8 questions from new owner of Satellite Pro L300

Hello all forum users!
I bought a new Toshiba laptop, the Satellite Pro L300, and have until 14 January to test it - if it looks like it isn't working properly I'll return it to the store where I purchased it.
Here's a list of questions I have:
1. Every time I turn on the laptop or it comes out of suspended or hibernation mode, and when I turn it off, the cd/dvd drive makes a loud mechanical clunky noise.
It sounds to me like the carriage that carries the laser and optics is running into a mechanical stop.
Is this normal?
2. There is one hot subpixel on the display (blue) and according to the Toshiba info in the box, this is normal and is not cause for return.
Should I be concerned about this?
3. When I run the memory test at system boot, it states that it will start windows automatically at test termination, and show me the results of the test.
It runs the test, starts Vista, but I don't see any results report.
Where do I find this report?
Is there a known problem with this test?
4. The Toshiba utility program to perform diagnostics from within Vista does not work. Every time I run the test (PCdiag.exe) I get a Vista error message saying a fault was found in KERNEL32.dll.
Where can I get a fix for this?
I've already installed the updated files on Toshiba's web site for the 'Value Added Pack', which is where this utility is located, but still get the error message.
5. I would like to access the bios settings at boot, but haven't found the way to do it yet.
F2 gives me a menu for memory test or normal system boot.
Esc doesn't get me into bios setup either.
There is a Toshiba bios utility I can run from Vista, and from what I see any bios firmware upgrades are also to be done through Vista.
Is there a way to access bios at boot?
6. I would like to run XP on this system and understood that this model (Pro L300 PSLB1E) was XP compatible, and that I should be able to download all drivers from Toshiba to run on XP.
Has anyone done this?
7. The laptop installed and configured Vista basic when I did the first power on, but the license sticker on the bottom of the laptop has a product key for 'Vista Business OEMAct'. I was sold this laptop as having Vista Business with the option to downgrade to XP Pro. The box didn't come with any cds or dvds, and no manuals explaining how to install Vista Business.
This is enough reason to return the laptop to the store where I bought it, which is a hassle I would prefer to avoid if I can install Vista Business.
Can anyone help me understand what is happening here?
8. Is there a way to contact technical support by email?
Thanks in advance to anybody that can answer any of the above questions!

> 1. Every time I turn on the laptop or it comes out of suspended or hibernation mode, and when I turn it off, the cd/dvd drive makes a loud mechanical clunky noise.
My CD/DVD drives make similar noise too from time to time. Not always but sometimes. I think this appears because the drives laser lens calibrates in the right position.
> 2. There is one hot subpixel on the display (blue) and according to the Toshiba info in the box, this is normal and is not cause for return.
Well, you need an certain amount of dead pixels to get a screen replacement
Please check this FAQ:
http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/TSB5400ZD0002R01.htm
> 3. When I run the memory test at system boot, it states that it will start windows automatically at test termination, and show me the results of the test.
There is no problem. I believe you mean the memory test while POST (power on self test). If there would be a memory fault then your notebook would not boot up properly.
> 4. The Toshiba utility program to perform diagnostics from within Vista does not work. Every time I run the test (PCdiag.exe) I get a Vista error message saying a fault was found in KERNEL32.dll.
Hmm the Value Added Package contains the PC diagnostic tool for Vista. I would recommend removing the old VAP and reinstalling the new downloaded from the page.
> 5. I would like to access the bios settings at boot, but haven't found the way to do it yet. F2 gives me a menu for memory test or normal system boot. Esc doesn't get me into bios setup either. There is a Toshiba bios utility I can run from Vista, and from what I see any bios firmware upgrades are also to be done through Vista.
The notebook seems to use the Phoenix BIOS and therefore pressing the F2 button should enable the BIOS. Press the F2 immediately after notebook has been powered up.
> 6. I would like to run XP on this system and understood that this model (Pro L300 PSLB1E) was XP compatible, and that I should be able to download all drivers from Toshiba to run on XP.
Such XP drivers are placed on the Toshiba European page.
>7. The laptop installed and configured Vista basic when I did the first power on, but the license sticker on the bottom of the laptop has a product key for 'Vista Business OEMAct'. I was sold this laptop as having Vista Business with the option to downgrade to XP Pro. The box didn't come with any cds or dvds, and no manuals explaining how to install Vista Business.
Never hear that this notebook would be delivered with Vista business As far as I know this series has been preinstalled with Vista Home Premium
> 8. Is there a way to contact technical support by email?
If you have some problems with your notebook you can contact your ASP in your country.

Satellite Pro L300 - Black screen flashing cursor

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