X505-Q898 - Major Boot Problems! Help!

Question

(Preface: I am posting here first because I used to have an X505-Q880 - long story - and it took over 2 months to get it replaced by calling tech support, they are of NO HELP WHATSOEVER)
I have had my X505-Q898 since November. A few weeks ago, I installed the updated Toshiba Service Stations, as per the directive of my laptop (you know what I mean). I rebooted, all was well. A few days later, I turned my machine off since I was going on a business trip for a few days.  Upon returning, I had to boot up numerous times. Some of the reasons:
- boot up, get nothing but a black screen;
- boot up, make it to Toshiba screen, but stops there (no Windows startup);
- boot up, makes it past Toshiba screen, stops at Windows startup screen
No rhyme or reason, it varied from boot-up to boot-up.  I thought maybe it had something to do with the Service Station or something else Toshiba-related, so I modified my msconfig to disable most Toshiba programs from running on startup.  When I did this, I rebooted, and everything has been peachy-keen ever since.
Tonight, I'm on Facebook, and I wanted to watch a video a friend posted from Youtube. I click on it. About 20 seconds in, the computer froze up, but the song kept playing for about 30 more seconds. Then nothing. I did a hard reboot, and "here we go again":
- booted 2 times, no Toshiba screen;
- booted with a series of beeps, then nothing;
- booted twice, got to Toshiba screen then nothing;
- finally booted to Windows.
So I go back on FB, click a separate youtube link, and it happens again, crash.
- booted 2 times, no Toshiba screen;
- booted once more, and here I am typing this.
Anyone know what is going on?
I abhor calling tech support because they are scripted and lack the necessary comprehension to be considered "support."  Giving me a ticket number doesn't solve problems. 
Thanks in advance!
Jason

Answer 1

While I don't have this particular laptop, I am a hardware tech in a big IT department, so let's have a go.
Just to clarify;
Booting is intermittant and intermittant when it locks up, right?
So there have been times that it locks up during what is called the post process? (This is before windows starts to load.) That is bothersome from a troubleshooting stand point. Here are a few things to try, if you are up to it;
1. Disconnect the AC adapter, remove the battery and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds, then put the battery back in and connect the AC adapter. Turn it on, what happens?
2. Open the cover over the memory. Hopefully you have 2 SODIMMS(memory stick in case you wondered). Remove them both. Put one back in on one slot and power it up. Did it work? Try that same SODIMM and put in it the other slot and power it up. What happens? What I am trying to have you do it to see if it is a memory or a memory slot issue. I had this on a desktop where one of the 2 slots on the mother board was bad. If I put ram in it, it would randomly lock up and freeze or not boot.
3. This one is a bit harder. Completely open the computer, all the covers and the case itself. Verify all the screws that hold things in or down are tight. If for example the heat sync on top of the processor was loose or not making good contact, it could heat up very quickly to the point of lock up.
Good luck. I am up in the air on getting a X505 series unit after reading some of these issues and the responce from "Support", so I will be interest to see how your problem gets resolved.
Jeff