Laptop shuts off unexpectedly

[emboyd]

I've got a Toshiba Satellite laptop, P3, 1Ghz. It has 256MB RAM and a 20GB HD. This was purchased for business use, writing documents and preparing spreadsheets. The problem I'm having is when I'm using it with the installed DVD drive, it will suddenly shutoff without warning. I've been round and round with the 3rd Party Tech Support, now they're telling me I need to reset the "DMI String." I've talked to some of the PC Support guys here at the office, and none have heard of this. Can any of you help me? How do I accomplish this?

Thanks,

EB

Eric M. Boyd
Call Center Supv. III
Washington Mutual Bank

 

[ski]

If the problem happen only when you're using the DVD-ROM drive, then there may be a problem with the drive.

 

[emboyd]

We went that route, but it doesn't only happen when DVD drive in use. I guess I should have clarified that in the original post. They're leaning more towards the power supply, but said it needs to have the DMI string reset in order to do an OS restoration. They're trying to completely rule out any software issues, but in my opinion, they're just trying to keep from spending the money to repair the product. I now see why 3rd party service plan are not usually recommended.

Eric M. Boyd
Business Systems Analyst
Washington Mutual Bank

 

[ski]

If you're using Win 98, then to rule out a software issue:
-Copy both the oakcdrom.sys file(located in C:\Windows\Command\EBD) and the mscdex.exe file(located in C:\Windows\Command) to the C:\ folder.
-Go to Start/Run, type sysedit in the box, click OK, type LH c:\mscdex.exe /D:IDECD1 in the autoexec.bat window, close the autoexec.bat window, type device=c:\oakcdrom.sys /D:IDECD1 in the config.sys window, and close System Config. Editor.
-Restart the computer, press and hold the CTRL key, select 'Command prompt only' from the startup menu, press Enter, at the C:\> prompt type win/d:m, press Enter to start Safe mode, and try using the DVD-ROM drive.

If that does not work, then there's a hardware problem.

 

[emboyd]

I have Windows XP Home. Do I do anything different?

Eric M. Boyd
Business Systems Analyst
Washington Mutual Bank

 

[marcdoyle]

We have this exact problem with a Toshiba Satellite laptop in the company i work for. The user who had it kept complaining that it rebooted in the middle of her working, so in the end we bought her a Compaq Evo 1020v instead. We did a clean install of XP Pro on it and the problem persisted so i'd write off software and say that the hardware is just unreliable unfortunately. We won't be buying any more Toshiba's thats for sure.