About 3 weeks ago I received a comment from a user who described his experience with Toshiba Satellite M35X. Today I got one more for Toshiba Satellite A75. Even though these are completely different models, they have very similar problems: laptop heatsink gets clogged and the laptop overheats, improperly grounded top cover causes the laptop to freeze up and reboot, badly designed DC jack causes the power failure. May be your experience is more positive?
I got the laptop as a Xmas present from my boyfriend in Dec 2004. Shortly after I got it, I got the blue screen of death. Then it began freezing up on me. Toshiba told me this was a problem with a grounding wire in the motherboard. I took it to a service center and they fixed the problem. Within about another 2 months, it started doing hard shut-downs when any load was present – was unable to burn DVDs, view DVDs, play music or even view basic graphics on the internet, as well as shutting down during use of Windows Media Player. The fan was loud! Then, the AC adapter problem. To this day, I have no green light showing at all on the front of my computer. It was fine at first, then started flickering (when I pressed down on silver plate that was replaced at the service center due to the grounding wire problem), the green light would come back on for a short time and then disappear again.
The laptop is getting power while plugged into the wall and the battery is recharging…..but, what’s up with the green light disappearing?
I have a cooling pad underneath my Toshiba that has an external power source – overheating is NOT the problem with this computer. From what I can surmise, the issue is in the CPU. The motherboard probably needs to be replaced and God only knows what’s causing the problem with the LED indicator.
At this point, my computer is now out of warranty, however, because I brought these problems to their attention during the warranty period, they have essentially issued a blank check for me to have “any hardware problems fixed” as an exception to the warranty. They were too quick to authorize this, so my feeling is that these problems are systemic with this model and Toshiba is well aware of them, though why they have never issued a recall is beyond me and does not bode well for Toshiba’s PR department.
It is going in for repairs tomorrow (had to back everything up in case the motherboard has to be replaced) and I will advise what the findings are when I get it back – estimated time for repairs is 2 weeks.
If this computer were not being fixed on Toshiba’s dime, I wouldn’t bother paying to have it fixed – I’d just buy another laptop. I am very upset that I’m unable to use this laptop for any of the features they advertise. I also strongly suspect that Toshiba knew of these problems beforehand and sold the things anyway, looking for Xmas windfall revenue – this computer was introduced in Dec. 2004, if memory serves correctly.
What a sad indictment of corporate greed – this laptop was $1,500 – we’re not talking about a pack of gum, here.
Is your experience with this model any different?
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November 17th, 2006 at 6:44 am
I have aa A75-S226 that I purchased in July of ’04. Had the shutting down and sound (or sometimes lack of any ) issues. Sent it to Toshiba for repair Feb. ’05. They had it for nearly 3 mos. I called constantly and they kept saying the part (motherboard) was backordered.
When I finally got it back, I ask them to extend my warranty for the 3 mos. since I had no use of it then and was originally told the turn-around time for the repair would be about a week. That was a no go with them, I would have to purchase any extended warranty. I said NO WAY!
So I learned to live with the problems as they came back fairly quickly (after the warranty was up). And I’d spent $1700+ for the darned thing.
Anyway, the power plug in back of the PC recently went on the fritz so I was forced to call a repairman. Was hoping it would be a simple thing of just putting in a new power port adapter. He called to order the part (which cost $1000 by the way) and they then told him about the settlement of the class action. ( I was aware of the lawsuit but not of the settlement). So the warranty started again Nov. 7, ’06 and goes to Nov.6, ’07. And they’re going to fix everything that’s wrong with it!!!
They sent me a box to send the PC to their repair depot, postage paid. And also all the paperwork about the lawsuit and claim forms for $25 cash or $50 credit voucher at Toshiba for each instance you sent it in and didn’t get a ‘Top Cover’ repair. Plus you get a $35 credit voucher if you purchased an extended warranty and it expires After Nov.7 ’06. Apparently they only inform you of this if you call or go to their website.
So I guess it was a good thing that I had a new problem that forced me to call a repairman in so that I could find out about this at the beginning of the new warranty period.
The wesite to go to to find out about your new warranty is:
http://www.A70M30Xsettlement.com
Hopefully everyone who still has them can finally get them fixed.
November 13th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
So there was a Class Action lawsuit against Toshiba for their Toshiba Satellite® A70, A75, M30X and M35X notebook computers and here are the results:
check out these sites for information on the lawsuit and the settlement:
http://www.lorisklar.com/
http://www.a70m30xsettlement.com/
http://www.a70m30xsettlement.com/notice.pdf
basically they have given a 12 month extension to the warranty. So now you can send it in for full repairs. and you can get up to 50$ if u sent it in and they didn’t fix your laptop.
according to the web sites, the 12 month extension starts November 7, 2006. I have not called in yet to see if in fact they are accepting. but if the site says so, it must be true.
If anyone has had time to call Toshiba and ask for their laptops to be repaired under this 12 month extension, please share your results.
Thank you
November 13th, 2006 at 10:06 am
I have a 3-yr extended warranty on my A75-S206 from Best Buy. Took in it to fix the DC jack problem and they sent it to their repiar center in Baltimore (I’m in Philly). I didn’t get it back for 3 weeks, and to top it off they didn’t even repair the problem! The paperwork said they couldn’t simulate the problem. Hey, how about a phone call to me for some clarification! Idiots! Now I am considering trying to resolder the jack on my own, even though my warranty is still good for another 9 months.
November 11th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
I’ve already had the power cord problem,(fixed last year) and now have the shut down problem,as well.I tried using the compressed air solution,but that only helps for about 24 hours.This is the first time I’ve heard of the electrostatic issue and the class-action suit.(I got a letter in the mail today about it…)
All I can say is I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOSHIBA.
Btw,the most you will recieve from the suit is a $25 payment or a $50 credit voucher.Gee.Thanks….
November 9th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
my a75-s206 has line down the side of the screen!!!!
toshiba wont talk out of warrenty! use clothes pin to keep lines off screen? cheap top? any whay to make them pay?
November 7th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
Howdy all! Is there a class action lawsuit in Canada? Does anyone know? I’ve HAD IT with my Satellite A70 piece o’ crap. It’s a 2005 model and I’m getting ready to take it in for repair…what? #4? I’ve lost track.
Overheating – Bluescreen of Death – Shutting Down for No Known Reason – the list continues.
I will be going with IBM or Sony next time.
Thanks in advance on the lawsuit info.
*buggers*
November 6th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
I have an extended warranty with Circuit City. When I contacted them about the problem with my A75 S209 they stated that I would have to rum the Disc Recovery to determan if the problem was hardware or software (they had me run the machine in bios for 12 hours and it didn’t shut down durring that). So, while the recovery disc was wiping my hard drive, the system froze and crashed.
What has pissed me off the most so far is that everyone I spoke to at Toshiba have given me different answers. Also, everyone I spoke to at Toshiba acted as if I was the first person they have heard from who has had this problem. Then it was like pulling teeth to get the lady at Toshiba to tell me all of my options.
Unfortunately I only started searching to see if others had similar problems tonight after the computer crashed.
I don’t mind paying a fair price for a product, as long as that product performs as expected. I guess I have to read all the reviews before buying anything nowadays. the problem with waiting for computers is that by the time all those who baught the computer have chimed in, the next generation is on the store shelf
November 5th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
I have had three motherboards installed on my A75-S209 because of power suppily issues. This is the worst comp I have ever delt with. I will never buy another Toshiba again. Beware they are able to offer great prices when compaired to other manufactures because they use cheap parts. You are wasting yout time with the service center because they put cheap parts right back in after it breaks the first time.
October 29th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Paritosh,
Here’s the information you are looking for. Visit Toshiba tech support site (follow the link) and use Global ASP locator to find a service center in your area.
October 29th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Guys, I’ve toshiba A75 S206, with battery charging problem ( wouldn’t work from AC power, and can’t get the battery to charge). Reading thru this post, one of the users( Carlos) mentioned that the certified Toshiba were able to fix the issue for free of cost. Can u please post contact info for that Toshiba Repair Center ?
Are you happy with the fix now ?
Thanks !