Satellite Laptops :: A-Series models

[#1]

My Satellite A205-S5000 laptop has been having issues as of late. I recently did a full recovery of the system but it didn't take long for it to have the same issues. The problems are that my computer constantly keeps freezing or programs stop responding. It especially happens a lot to my internet browsers, I've tried various browsers but they all keep doing the same thing. I'll be online and then it suddenly stops responding for a while. I either have to wait it out for a while or close it which still takes a while. While it's not responding though, the computer usage remains low so it's not even because the usage is at 100%. Also when I start the computer, it always shows something about doing a media test and then says its failed before booting normally. Something about the Realtek Family Ethernet. Occasionally I get the blue screen before it shuts down. After I restart it, it just usually says there was a problem with the hard disk. I have no idea what's wrong with it. Any help would be appreciated.

[#2]

Sounds like your hard drive is either corupted or going bad.  First thing you need to do is run Checkdisk.  I assume you are still running the Vista that came with it. 

1. Click on Start - Computer.
2. Right click on the "C" Drive
3. Go to the TOOLS tab
4. Select ERROR CHECKING - Check Now Button
5. Make sure that both "Automatically fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" are checked.
6. Click on Start.

Depending on the size of the drive and the amount of problems it finds and needs to fix this could take an hour or more to complete.

Once that is completed :

1. determine the brand of hard drive that is installed,
2. go to that companies support site,
3. download the diagnostic utility CD ISO,
4. create the disk,
5. boot to it,
6. Run the most exhaustive tests available.

More than likely one or both of these two tests will fail.  If it's the latter the drive needs to be replaced as soon as humanly possible. 

[#3]

The hard drive problem may simply be some currupted files because the computer was not shut down properly.  Although the above test should help identify what is happening to the hard drive.  So start there.

Do you have problems when not on the internet?  Or problems in other things other then browsers, or is it just browsers?

How long after you did the recovery did it take for this to start happening?  Do you have Anti-Virus?  Have you scanned for mal-ware?

Try to narrow down what and when the problem shows up.  Is it one program or all programs?  Is it just when networking/internet?  Does it start as soon as you boot?  All clues are important.

[#4]

Satellite A205-S5000

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when I start the computer, it always shows something about doing a media test and then says its failed before booting normally. Something about the Realtek Family Ethernet.

After I restart it, it just usually says there was a problem with the hard disk.

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Please give us the precise messages. It doesn't matter what they say. We need exact strings of characters to look them up.

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Occasionally I get the blue screen before it shuts down.

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We need the ***STOP error number and any file name mentioned from that.

[#5]

I'll try and get more specific details on the error messages. It's just hard to sometimes because it doesn't stay on the screen long enough for me to get it all. I have already checked for malware and it happens a lot when I'm on the Internet but that's not to say that it only happens when I'm on the internet. I've ran the checkdisk before but I'll do it again and check about the diagnostic.

[#6]

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It's just hard to sometimes because it doesn't stay on the screen long enough for me to get it all.

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The default for a Stop error is to automatically restart the computer. Let's fix that so you can see the error message.

Open System Properties (sysdm.cpl). On the Advanced tab, click the Settings button at the bottom under Startup and Recovery. Clear the Automatically restart check box.

Look for a message something like this and put it in your reply.

   STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x00000000, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
   DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

If there's a file mentioned, grab that name too.

[#7]

Alright I changed it so it won't restart automatically. I haven't seen the blue screen anymore lately. I ran that error check for the second time and it's been running better lately. It hasn't been freezing anymore but that other message still comes up every time I start it up. It reads:

For Realtek RTL8100E Fast Ethernet Network Adapter V1.02 (060510)

PXE - E61 - Media test fail - Check cable

PXE - M0F - Exiting PXE ROM

[#8]

Sounds like the bios is set to boot from the network first rather than your hard drive.  You can change the boot order by going into setup (hit the F2 key as soon as the first screen appears after hitting the power button).

[#9]

As Cee_64 says, check the boot order in the BIOS.

You can reach the BIOS in that machine from Windows. See the section TOSHIBA Hardware Setup on p. 151 of the User's Guide.

   Satellite A200 Series User's Guide

[#10]

It had the order starting with the CD-ROM, FDD, and LAN before it so should I switch it to before LAN or before some of the others?