Problem with Toshiba Satellite Pro 5205-703 laptop display

**gacjr** · 08-05-2003, 10:26 PM

Problem with Toshiba Satellite Pro 5205-703 laptop display

The display brightness drops to about one half after 12 or so seconds during boot, then goes back to half brightness
after getting to the desktop environment.
This is when even powered from the
external AC adaptor, so it's not a battery
problem. I've set all laptop power control options to full when externally
powered, so it is controllable via the
desktop, but only after those properties load.
Anyone have any ideas ?
I was told by their techs according to my serial number, that I had purchased a corporate laptop, so I can't get to the
BIOS, at least so far when we've tried various boot options. I am hoping there may be additional control over bootdisplay properties in the BIOS, but that's only a guess since I haven't gotten
there yet.

**rickenbacherus** · 08-06-2003, 12:43 AM

I presume you have spoken with Toshiba's tech's so this probably isn't anything new but on my Toshiba laptop I hit ESC just after power on and then F1 to enter the BIOS.

There are Toshiba utilities for adjusting the display brightness- unfortunately they aren't on the Knoppix disc. They can be installed via apt-get (if you install Knoppix to hdd of course).

What xserver are you using?

dmesg | less

Tried any CheatCodes

What video card do you have? How about some hardware specs?

**MarcelD** · 08-06-2003, 04:34 AM

Hi rickenbacherus,

Thanks for replying.

["rickenbacherus" wrote] I presume you have spoken with Toshiba's
> tech's so this probably isn't anything new but on my Toshiba laptop
> I hit ESC just after power on and then F1 to enter the BIOS.

Right, we tried everything. I spoke to two techs, the normal one reading from a screen, and then to an advanced guy. Both had East Indian accents and as we stumbled over each others words, I asked where they were located and he said Istanbul!!! It was 7:00PM Boston time and 2:00AM over there!

That's why we stumbled, not the language, but over the delayed satellite transmissions.

After trying things, he asked for my serial number and then said I had a commercial laptop, which is protected from getting into the BIOS for security. But I'm a private consumer and don't know how that happened.
He said he would get back to me in 24 hours with an answer.

That was last week.

As for your own Toshiba laptop, first, is it a "Satellite" model? When you get into your BIOS, do you see any options for display dimming after a preset time? That's what I'm trying to find out.

If not, your model could still have a different BIOS. When booting, does the display seem to dim a bit after so many seconds? When mine boots I see is the Toshiba name first, then the XP windows logo. It's at this point that the display switches to dimmer and remains that way until I get to the desktop, then switches back to full.

With the Knoppix CD, it boots and the display goes to dim after the same preset time, but remains that way all the way to the "it's" desktop.

> There are Toshiba utilities for adjusting the display brightness-
> unfortunately they aren't on the Knoppix disc. They can be
> installed via apt-get (if you install Knoppix to hdd of course).

So an MS-coded program will work in Knoppix?

> What xserver are you using?

Hmm, not sure what you mean. No server, just from the downloaded ISO image from the Knoppix website, saved to CD and booting from there.

> Tried any
> CheatCodes

Not really. Not really sure what to try. Just tried this program on a recommendation of a friend (he posted my original question for me). I know a few UNIX shell commands from at my old job but not really versed in a GUI Linux, or Xwindows (although I've occasionally used it on workstations). But i thought it might be good to become familiar with it since I'm taking courses in computer networking and expect to see some of this from time to time, like I did at my last job (I was a tester specialist for Lucent Tech's fiber optics).

Actually on hindsight, if it wasn't for my friend, I probably wouldn't have been aware of this problem in the first place.

> What video card do you have? How about some hardware specs?

nVidia GeForce4 460 Go graphics, 64m video ram, 15" UGXA display (800x600 to 1600x1200), 2GHZ P4M, 512Mram, DVD-R\CDRW, 60GigHD. The touch pad is a lighted cPad - multifunction capacitive display pad. Don't use it much though. Harman/Kardon speakers with built-in subwoofer (if you can believe that in a laptop) and built-in wireless 802.11b card.

Is that what you wanted?

Thanks,
Marcel

**rickenbacherus** · 08-06-2003, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by MarcelD

I spoke to two techs, the normal one reading from a screen, and then to an advanced guy. Both had East Indian accents and as we stumbled over each others words, I asked where they were located and he said Istanbul!!! It was 7:00PM Boston time and 2:00AM over there!

That's why we stumbled, not the language, but over the delayed satellite transmissions.

Hmmmm- sounds just like my day job.

As for your own Toshiba laptop, first, is it a "Satellite" model? When you get into your BIOS, do you see any options for display dimming after a preset time? That's what I'm trying to find out.

490CDT Satellite Pro- oldie but a goodie. 233Mhz, 160M RAM, 5.7G hdd runs Linux like mad. No such settings in the BIOS tho. I'll have a look next time I boot and check again.

If not, your model could still have a different BIOS. When booting, does the display seem to dim a bit after so many seconds? When mine boots I see is the Toshiba name first,

Yep- same here....

then the XP windows logo.

hmmmm nope that doesn't happen on mine.

It's at this point that the display switches to dimmer and remains that way until I get to the desktop, then switches back to full.

You have this problem booting windows too??? If so that's kind of wrong that they sold it to you that way. I'd shove it........................
back in a mailing carton and get a refund.

With the Knoppix CD, it boots and the display goes to dim after the same preset time, but remains that way all the way to the "it's" desktop.

What is the "it's" desktop? That doesn't seem to ring any bells.

> There are Toshiba utilities for adjusting the display brightness-
> unfortunately they aren't on the Knoppix disc. They can be
> installed via apt-get (if you install Knoppix to hdd of course).

So an MS-coded program will work in Knoppix?

Well actually yes - you can run wimpdoze apps on Linux if you want with WINE but that's not what I mean. There are Linux utilities for changing the display brightness on Toshibas.

> What xserver are you using?

Hmm, not sure what you mean. No server, just from the downloaded ISO image from the Knoppix website, saved to CD and booting from there.

Xwindows is what gives you a GUI in Linux. When you use Xwindows you also use an xserver, that is the driver that Xwindows uses to run your display. On top of Xwindows you then run a desktop environment like KDE or Gnome. They are seperate from the underlying operating system. (that's another huge advantage over M$). If you really want to use Linux you might want to get into the habit of opening a terminal every time you boot. Sounds like you're familiar with shell commands-open a term and enter this:

lspci -v

and you will learn more about your hardware with one simple command than that ridiculous M$ hardware manager ever thought about telling you.

> Tried any
> CheatCodes

Not really. Not really sure what to try. Just tried this program on a recommendation of a friend (he posted my original question for me). I know a few UNIX shell commands from at my old job but not really versed in a GUI Linux, or Xwindows (although I've occasionally used it on workstations).

Boot like this:

boot: knoppix lang=us xmodule=nv

nVidia GeForce4 460 Go graphics, 64m video ram, 15" UGXA display (800x600 to 1600x1200), 2GHZ P4M, 512Mram, DVD-R\CDRW, 60GigHD. The touch pad is a lighted cPad - multifunction capacitive display pad. Don't use it much though. Harman/Kardon speakers with built-in subwoofer (if you can believe that in a laptop) and built-in wireless 802.11b card.

Is that what you wanted?

That's a good start.

**MarcelD** · 08-06-2003, 07:59 AM

490CDT Satellite Pro- oldie but a goodie. 233Mhz, 160M RAM, 5.7G hdd runs Linux like mad. No such settings in the BIOS tho. I'll have a look next time I boot and check again.

Oh my, yes, you'd need something like Linux or Knoppix to breath new life into that old thing.

>It's at this point that the display switches to dimmer and remains
> that way until I get to the desktop, then switches back to full.

You have this problem booting windows too??? If so that's kind of wrong that they sold it to you that way. I'd shove it........................ back in a mailing carton and get a refund.

No, it reverts back to full brightness once it gets to the desktop. No such luck with the Knoppix CD.

Although that may not be far from what I am contemplating. It's more than 3 months old now, but I have a 3 year unconditional contract with them. Of course they stopped producing this model 3 months after buying it and is already replaced with another model with built-in TV tuner and wide screen display for th same price.

Check out the P25-S607 in the first part of the portables section at http://www.toshiba.com but mine has better sound and a higher resolution display. But I don't have any legacy ports like parallel or serial ports. Looks like they added back the parallel port in this model. But both Windows 2000 and XP have trouble with interrupts with the parallel ports and USB is the only way to go now with those OSs.

Mine looks like the 5205 "Spanish" version at the bottom of the list complete with remote control. You could click on a product tour after clicking on the "More info", but it would be all in spanish.

> With the Knoppix CD, it boots and the display goes to dim after
> the same preset time, but remains that way all the way to the
> "it's" desktop.

What is the "it's" desktop? That doesn't seem to ring any bells.

Now you're being facetious.

Okay, the "environment".

> So an MS-coded program will work in Knoppix?

Well actually yes - you can run wimpdoze apps on Linux if you want with WINE but that's not what I mean. There are Linux utilities for changing the display brightness on Toshibas.

So these are separate utilities not on the CD? Where would I find them? I could probably modify the ISO image so it includes these. Though the CD looks pretty full now, 699megs.

[quote]
Boot like this:

boot: knoppix lang=us xmodule=nv

Tried that and got a tiny display still at 1024x768 but with a 2 inch black border around it. Same half display brightness tho.

I looked through the settings and couldn't find anything for changing the display resolution (it was too small to see with these tired old eyes so I booted back normally). I'm unfamiliar with the environment. But I should get used to it. I own a high powered (66mhz

) Amiga 4000 for many years, still have it, for now.

The option for laptops was ghosted and it said that "The ACM and ACPI were not loaded for this laptop and can't be used. See here for more info". I clicked and it went to the Knoppix web site but didn't have time to explore further yet.

I was amazed that Knoppix found my cable modem network connection with the default CD boot, and most everything else. And yet it didn't seem to find the built-in Yamaha AC-XG audio device. At least I didn't seem to be able to make any sound other than beeps from the speakers.

**pap2003** · 08-06-2003, 08:40 AM

Leave the bios alone. There is nothing there to do.
I guess that the problem is hardware releaded.
Fist look if it does the same with windows. If it does then it is defently a hardware issue.
It seems that your inverter is damaged ( it is the part that is responsable for the brighness of the screen)
What I did is recovered my satellite machine with the original software and got it to a toshiba certified tech center. After 4 days I got it back with a new inverter and paid nothing as it is covered by the waranty. it is some weeks now and all works like a charm (knoppix too).
Toshiba has moved their phone support to turkey as the laber there is almost for free compeard to germany. It is a price to pay if we want cheaper notebooks, but the service is still very good at the service centers
Anyway...
Try that and see....

**rickenbacherus** · 08-06-2003, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by MarcelD

No, it reverts back to full brightness once it gets to the desktop. No such luck with the Knoppix CD.

That doesn't sound good at all but I dunno- I'm no Toshiiba laptop expert.

>What is the "it's" desktop? That doesn't seem to ring any bells.

Now you're being facetious.

No not at all- I guess I still don't see the connection. No matter tho.

So these are separate utilities not on the CD? Where would I find them? I could probably modify the ISO image so it includes these. Though the CD looks pretty full now, 699megs.

Linux on Toshiba
If you're willing to remaster then no doubt you will find several apps that you could remove and gain the necessary space that way. I use the Toshutils but I have yet to try out fnfx but it sounds promising.

>Boot like this:

boot: knoppix lang=us xmodule=nv

Tried that and got a tiny display still at 1024x768 but with a 2 inch black border around it. Same half display brightness tho.

I looked through the settings and couldn't find anything for changing the display resolution (it was too small to see with these tired old eyes so I booted back normally). I'm unfamiliar with the environment. But I should get used to it. I own a high powered (66mhz

) Amiga 4000 for many years, still have it, for now.

You can change resolution on the fly like so: CTRL+ALT+ + or -

The option for laptops was ghosted and it said that "The ACM and ACPI were not loaded for this laptop and can't be used. See here for more info". I clicked and it went to the Knoppix web site but didn't have time to explore further yet.

I don't recall ever seeing that but there is an acpi patch for the kernel. I have patched my kernel with it but still trying to get suspend, hibernate and resume to work properly. I'm almost there tho.

You can specify a resolution on boot too:

knoppix lang=us screen=1024x768 (of course add whatever resolution you want.

And yet it didn't seem to find the built-in Yamaha AC-XG audio device. At least I didn't seem to be able to make any sound other than beeps from the speakers.

Not sure about your soundcard- you might try this tho:

modprobe sb irq=5 Of course you should use whatever IRQ your soundcard is on or even try it without specifying an IRQ.

**stacksmasher** · 08-06-2003, 10:23 PM

Now that Toshiba has moved to 'Legacy Free' laptops, there is no way to modify BIOS settings other than thruogh the "Toshiba Console' available on your Windows Start Menu AFAIK. From the Toshiba Console under 'Customizing Your Computer', select 'Power Settings', then select 'full Power' under the 'Plugged In' listbox, then click 'Details'. From the Details applet, click on the 'Power Save Mode' tab and the rest is self explainatory.

I had the same problem with my 5205-S703.

--stack

**MarcelD** · 08-07-2003, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by stacksmasher

Now that Toshiba has moved to 'Legacy Free' laptops, there is no way to modify BIOS settings other than thruogh the "Toshiba Console' available on your Windows Start Menu AFAIK.

Ah, another S703 user. Excellent.

So you can't access your BIOS either?

From the Toshiba Console under 'Customizing Your Computer', select 'Power Settings',

It's called "Power Management" tool on mine, but whatever.

Thing is, I already adjusted everything in that tool. I have everything maxed out on every sub menu I can find.

then select 'full Power' under the 'Plugged In' listbox, then click 'Details'. From the Details applet, click on the 'Power Save Mode' tab and the rest is self explainatory.

In the "Details" mode for plugged in full power, in the box it says "This mode is for maximum speed and performance of your computer."

On the Power Save Mode tab, all slider controls are slid up to maximum and the Cooling Method is set for "Maximum Performance".

On the System power mode tab I have "Power Off when I switch the power button" and "Standby when I close the lid", if that makes any difference.

I had the same problem with my 5205 S703

So yours doesn't go to half-brightness any more when booting something other than windows?

I also have the extra battery option plugged into the aux slot on the right side of the laptop to extend it's portable power by another 45 minutes or so. But that should be moot when plugged in.

Marcel

**MarcelD** · 08-07-2003, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by pap2003

Leave the bios alone. There is nothing there to do.
I guess that the problem is hardware releaded.
Fist look if it does the same with windows. If it does then it is defently a hardware issue.

It does it with anything I boot with, be it floppy, CD or hard drive.

But with Windows, once it gets to the desktop, it switches back to full brightness.

It seems that your inverter is damaged ( it is the part that is responsable for the brighness of the screen)

If the inverter is damaged, I would expect it to stay at half brightness no matter what. No software could make it change. But it does go to full once it gets to the windows desktop.

What I did is recovered my satellite machine with the original software and got it to a toshiba certified tech center. After 4 days I got it back with a new inverter and paid nothing as it is covered by the waranty. it is some weeks now and all works like a charm (knoppix too).

Ah, guess I'll have to find a service center near me, north of Boston?

Toshiba has moved their phone support to turkey as the laber there is almost for free compeard to germany. It is a price to pay if we want cheaper notebooks, but the service is still very good at the service centers
Anyway...
Try that and see....

Cheaper notebooks? Are you kidding? It's the most expensive one out there. $2699 I paid. I would never have bought it if it wasn't for a grant from my Union after the company let me go.

Marcel