Toshiba Laptop:Hang-up after POST

[krishna sahai]

Toshiba Laptop Tecra 8100, made in USA – Hangs-up after POST
Pressing the power-switch (mains power supply and battery indicator-lights being already on), results in the following:-
(a) Screen indicator light turns on.
(b) Hard disc indicator light comes on for about 2 seconds and then goes off.
(c) The screen has a message: Remove incompatible memory module in slot A.
2. When memory module in slot A is removed, as per procedure, no message is shown on pressing the power switch, thereafter.
3. On operating the re-set switch, the disc indicator light comes on for about 2 seconds and then goes off.
4. When power switch is pressed to turn off the computer, after exactly 30 beeps, the screen- indicator light goes-off, leaving the mains supply and battery indicator lights on.
5. Pressing F1 after pressing the power switch does not show set-up.
Could somebody advise fix and oblige?

[Rick]

If this is covered by a warranty
Turn it in for work by Toshiba

The slot 1 memory ( Dimm) may be defective
Or the slot itself may be damaged

The easy answers first.
#4 above is normal.
As long as the AC power supply is plugged in
The laptop indicator lights for Battery and system power will be on.
#5 Should be F2 for setup and F12 for boot menu

If you have 2 memory dimm's
Remove the one from slot1 and 2
Then place the good one from slot 2 into slot 1 and attempt to boot from that

This should tell you if it is just a bad memory dimm or a major problem with the slot

The beep codes for toshiba can be found on their web site.
They should be in a pattern
A constant beep indicates a memory problem.
But I don't think it should be 30 beeps long

Try the memory swap and let us know what happens.
We can try to help more after that

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I doubt a Pentium III is still under warranty. 8100's processors range somewhere in the areas of 300 to 700 mhz.

With Toshiba's of that vintage you press Escape upon booting until an option to press F1 or F2 comes up. Then it is F1 to get into setup.

Sounds like the hard drive is also gone south. Was there a catastrophic event that happened to this notebook?

[Rick]

I stand corrected :)
Thanks. I didn't check the model #

[Paul Komski]

Are you getting all the beeps after all memory has been removed or is there still a module in its slot?

[krishna sahai]

Thanks friends for prompt response.
There is only one memory module. Whether it is in slot A or slot B, gives the same message with appropriate slot number. Even if there is no memory module or for that matter even when memory module, battery, DVD drive and hard disc are all removed,it gives the same exactly 30 beeps(equally spaced with about 1 second interval) when the computer power switch is pressed to turn it off. Though the screen-indicator light remains on as long as the system power is on, the screen does not light up any time. It remains dark even while showing the message, obviously because it is POST period at that time. The hang-up is during or after POST. No catastrophic event known.

[Paul Komski]

If the memory or no memory gives the same error then it looks as if the stick (or possibly the mainboard) is bad and simply not seen by the system.

The "Remove Incompatible Memory" message could be perhaps better written as "Replace Incompatible Memory". A system must have usable RAM to function.

[krishna sahai]

The message regarding incompatibility is for memory module used to add to the basic memory of the system.

[krishna sahai]

My apologies. As per relevant user maual, there is no hidden memory(under key-board etc.). Both basic as well as added memory reside in the 2 slots (A&B) only. Since I inherited the laptop, there has been only one memory module.
I replaced the defective memory stick by a good PC 100 RAM 256MB. No change except that the error message asking removal of the incompatible memory did not appear again.
It did not even enter set-up when Esc pressed immediately after pressing system power switch and waiting for instructions to pres F1. Hence, could not select "boot from CD drive" though I have installation software CD. It does not have internal floppy drive. I did not inherit the external.

[Paul Komski]

Can you confirm that you no longer have the memory incompatibility problem and that the PC does start up but that you just cannot get into the BIOS setup to boot to the CD.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Those Toshiba's boot up fine to usb floppy drives. Any one will do fine. eBay, or retail, your choice, if interested.

Also, they are extremely fussy about what RAM they will accept. Try a memory stick that is supposed to work for your model from reputable places such as Kahlon, Crucial or NewEgg. I have never been disappointed with any of those 3 but I'm sure there are others who'd do fine, just ask us first.

I probably have a 128 meg module that would work well enough to see if RAM is all you need, my 8200's used the same type as yours.

[krishna sahai]

Since message on POST did not demand removal of the replacement memory stick(as mentioned before), I presume that there is no memory incompatibility problem.
PC does not start-up, nothing happens.
The replacement memory was CRUCIAL, obviously I need more than RAM.
As I am also in USA, I would be grateful if you could give your 128 MB on payment. Please indicate check amount including postage.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I looked for the mem stick, couldn't find it but we're not supposed to sell stuff within this forum anyway. But I think you've already ruled out the memory problem here:
I replaced the defective memory stick by a good PC 100 RAM 256MB. No change except that the error message asking removal of the incompatible memory did not appear again.

Besides, you're better off getting RAM through Kahlon or Crucial, or from many other sources who include warranty's. With only 2 slots, you'd want the max supported anyway.

Have you looked into possibly replacing the motherboard battery to gain at least ability to POST?