Satellite Laptops :: A-Series models

[#1]

Hi, I am currently staying in Santiago, Chile.. and don't speak Spanish..

My laptop is approx 2 years old and 2 weeks ago stopped working - after speaking with the Hotel IT person he diagnosed it with a corrupted hard disk.. and told me the Vista Partition (where I would reboot from after a reformat) wouldn't work either so I need an entire new harddrive. I asked for the Toshiba representative here in Santiago to come out and fix this for me.. lost all my data - but just need a working computer!

The representative changed the hard drive and reinstalled Vista for me. Unfortunately advising that i could only have it in Spanish or in Portuguese (neither languages I speak). I took Spanish as a last ditch option.. thinking later when I get back to North America I'll buy Windows 7 and reinstall again. He gave me no choice, and was generally as helpful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

He only changed the hard drive and installed vista basic from a disk, and then advised that the Hotel IT person would "install antivirus and the necessary drivers" for me. (I could do this myself but thought it's better for a spanish speaking person to get it up and running.. as I won't know what Vista is saying to me).

I have just got the laptop back.. and here are the problems:

1. The monitor resolution is only available in 1024 x 768 or 800 x 600 - there is no option in the display properties screen for a 2nd monitor either. Hence the widescreen is all stretched out and the resolution is completely stuffed. I used to have many monitor resolution options! I can't use the computer like this! Have hunted around online for a new driver to no avail.. will try again tmrw.

2. No bluetooth available anymore

3. No webcam (built in to this model) available anymore.

SO! How do I resolve these? I assume I can install some programs, but unfortunately don't know what the program for the webcam is or what the bluetooth driver would be. I thought i'd ask on here before going to the Chilean IT people and possibly committing an atrocity upon them. Basically I have a "working" laptop now.. but it's so crippled I can't possibly use it for my work.

Thanks for any help! P

[#2]

Sounds like they didn't install all of the drivers for that system.  You will need to download the drivers for your system from the Product Support Link at the top of this page and install them.  That should return the system to full functionality. 

This is the reason why one should ALWAYS carry a copy of the Recovery Disks in their Laptop Bag at ALL times, espeicially when travelling out of the country. 

--------------------8<------------------- <snip> ------------------


Install your drivers in this order.
Restart after each driver and take the time to test between drivers.
Some will apply and some won't.

 

Chipset software
Display driver
Sound driver
Modem Driver
If your machine has the internal WiFi card, then install the WLAN and/or WiFi driver
ACPI Common Modules (required for Power management tools to function)
Toshiba Console
Display Hotkey utility
Touchpad Driver
Touchpad enable/disable utility
Toshiba Network Device Switch utility
Toshiba Power Saver Utility
Toshiba Controls
Toshiba Utilities

[#3]

Hi, Thanks for the advice! I agree I should have preempted this disaster but there you go..

Grateful for the help and am hopeful all will be well and I don't have to piff the thing out the window in a fit of pique (and follow it out myself)

Fingers crossed all goes well!
Thanks again

[#4]

Good luck and keep us posted.