Member Avatar for wwwqqq

My Toshiba Satellite M40 (canadian version) laptop showed a message of an error and completely froze up. I thought that this is a Windows XP problem and tried to reinstall windows. When I started installing windows it froze up again on the 35-38 minute of installation process, just before windows was supposed to boot. It tried several times after, and had the same problem. I also tried to install different versions of Windows, such as Server 2003 and Windows 2000, and got the same result. I even tried to install Linux Ubuntu, but it froze up during the installation process.

I replaced RAM and even hard drive, but this did not solve the problem. The diagnostic tools that I used also did not show any problems with the hardware.

What do you think is the problem? Should I flash BIOS?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by cguan_77

Dani AI

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A few focused checks before considering a BIOS reflash.

When different installers (XP, 2000, Server 2003, Ubuntu) all stop at about the same point, that pattern usually points away from "bad installer" and toward firmware, power/thermal, or a motherboard/chipset fault. has already done useful basic swaps; the next steps should target intermittent RAM/slot faults, overheating/power regulation, and any corrupted BIOS/NVRAM state.

Try these prioritized actions:

  • Run a thorough memory test with MemTest86(+): bootable USB/CD, let it complete several full passes. Test one DIMM at a time and try every memory slot.
  • Test under a minimal hardware configuration: remove optical bay, wireless card, PCMCIA, extra RAM sticks and any drives not required for install. This isolates a bad peripheral or slot.
  • Use a different installer source: burn a new disc at low speed or create a fresh USB installer. Try a different DVD drive if possible. A flaky burner/drive can freeze at the same spot every time.
  • Check cooling and power: confirm the CPU fan spins, clean dust, reseat heatsink and renew thermal paste if needed. Try booting on AC with battery removed (or vice versa) to rule out adapter/battery faults.
  • Inspect the motherboard visually for bulging or leaking capacitors and scorch marks around power circuits — common failure mode on older laptops.
  • Reset BIOS/NVRAM to defaults, then review any HDD/controller modes (set to compatibility/IDE if an option). Only consider flashing BIOS if Toshiba lists a specific fix for this model and version; flashing without the exact vendor file and instructions risks a bricked board.

Note on and BIOS: the BIOS does not "contain Vista settings" in the sense of storing an OS. OEM firmware or corrupted NVRAM can interfere with installs, but claiming the BIOS itself holds a retail OS is inaccurate. As warned, BIOS flashing carries real risk; document the current BIOS version and follow official Toshiba instructions or use a repair shop for the flash or board-level repair if the above checks fail.

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Member Avatar for cguan_77

tried to reset the CMOS, take out your RAM.. power up your device up to 5 secs. turned it off..put back your RAM then...

then go to BIOS...try to load the default settings..save it and exit...

then try installing the windows again...

post back for the results...

don't just flash BIOS easily...it might kill your mobo...

Member Avatar for kayeri

hey flashing your bios should be the last option. if i may ask, did you buy your toshiba device with vista installed on it? if so then you have no any other option but to flush your bios reason being that when devices are sold with vista installed in them what they normaly do is that they store vista setting in the bios making it impossible to install any other os. so for you to use a different os you need to flash the bios to do away with the vista settings. the best advice i can give you is that you take your computer to a specialist who knows how to flash the bios. please post your feedback if this works please.

Member Avatar for cguan_77

hi, wwwqqq... tried clearing the CMOS first....before flashing the BIOS...

clear the CMOS.. and put back your memory stick...

flashing bios..is quite risky...if you made a mistake..that's it..your mobo will die...try easy ways first...

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