Toshiba Qosmio F15-AV201 has a video problem where it only runs in 4 bit mode with vertical lines on the screen
My 18 months old (out of warranty) Toshiba Qosmio F15-AV201 has a video problem where it only runs in 4 bit mode with vertical lines on the screen, and the NVIDIA graphics processor doesn’t seem to be recognized by the system. It had worked fine until it perhaps got overheated during a PC game. I tried letting the machine cool off, starting in safe mode, reinstalled the Toshiba video drivers, but it didn’t help. My local computer repair shop disassembled and tested the unit. They said the GeForce GPU has failed, and since it is soldered on, a replacement motherboard is needed ($1200 for the part)! So I decided to buy a new laptop and not repair the Qosmio (it would have been $1300). The computer was used very little during its life, and its working components are in fine shape. Do you have any ideas on what to do? Can I use the components to build a barebones mini PC, or barebook? Can the 15.4 LCD be modded for use as an external VGA monitor? Are the Toshiba’s Pentium M CPU, RAM, 80G hard drive, Bluetooth, wireless card, and DVD super multi drive useable in a barebones mini or other desktop system? How about a barebones notebook (whitebook)? I would be able to build a small entertainment PC relatively cheaply this way. Am I able to upgrade a used or refurbished notebook using the parts? Alternatively, I could sell the whole notebook for parts on eBay. Advice?
Here’s Toshiba Qosmio F15 disassembly guide, just in case you want to tear it apart some day. The video chip in this model is integrated into the system board and if it fails, the entire system board must be replaced. But wait, do not take it apart (yet) and do not sell it (yet). I believe, at this time Toshiba replaces system boards in Qosmio G15 and Qosmio F15 laptops because of some kind of defect on the system board. It looks like they will replace it even if your laptop is not under warranty anymore. Check out this thread for more information. Just call Toshiba and mention that your Qosmio F15 will not boot and most likely the system board is bad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Hello Bart I would like to email you about my f15av201 toshiba laptop and see what it is that you can offer to me about getting my laptoptop fixed
Thanks,
Tony D.
tdevalt@att.net
January 21st, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hi
Im electronic engineer and I heave electronic high technology serwice in London.
I repair many toshiba,sony,compaq and many more laptops with problem like you write.
The problem is in mainboard, your chipset nvidia must be soldering agai.. I dont think so is this chipset is faulty. I hed many mainboard and somtime mainbord hed faulty chipset but when chipset is faulty, laptop in 98% dosent swich on. Anyway, if somone haeve problem with laptop plese com to me in serwice or write e mail to me, I try help. sorry for my write
December 31st, 2007 at 6:22 pm
trirrd,
Read two previous comments. Scott Smith had the same Qosmio laptop as you have and he was able to fix it at no charge.
Try calling them again. This time you’ll talk to a different representative and it might work. If not try again.
I believe it will work only for units sold in the USA.
By the way, if you called to an authorized repair center try calling directly to Toshiba. (800)457-7777
December 31st, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Hello my name is Tony, and I have a Toshiba Qomosio f15-av201 laptop, and my graphic card is showing verticle lines and double imaging. I called Toshiba and ask them have they had any issue with that model, and I was told no and that that model is one of the best models that they have. I also asked him if there’s a or have there been a recall on this model or this model motherboard, and he said no but he said that he will find me a repair center that’s near me, and I asked him what do I do from threre and he said that they will take a look at the laptop and see what is wrong with it. And I said if it is the graphic card that is intergrated on the motherboard what do we do from there and he told me that I will have to pay to get it repaired. could anybody give me some advise on this matter because I beleive that he is trying to act like there is nothing wrong and that the f15av201 doesn’t have a problem. I don’t think that fair. if anyone been through this could you please email me some docs from toshiba that is showing info about this matter.or reply with a thread or fax me something so I can take it to them to prove my issue.
Thanks,
Tony.
Need help please. what do I do to get this taken care of?
December 18th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I received my computer back today, with a replaced motherboard and videocard. It works great. The only downside is that I have to reload all my programs becuase they had to re-image my hard drive after they replaced the parts.
Cheers,
December 10th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
One week ago, my Qosmio F15-AV201 fell victim to the same vertical lines on the opening screen. After the lines the whole computer shuts off.
This thread saved me from dismantling the laptop for scraps.
I called Toshiba and they are going to replace the motherboard for FREE. I’ll update this after I have received the computer back.
I bought this computer in March of 2005, so you can understand how shocked I was when they said it would be free. I said good bye to my warranty a long time ago.
Thanks again.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:48 am
John Hall,
I’m not sure if Toshiba still exchanges faulty motherboards on Qosmio F15 and G15 notebooks. The best way to find out is calling to Toshiba customer support and ask their representative.
December 3rd, 2007 at 11:01 am
Laptop Freak, I am victim of the defective systemboard in the Toshiba F15 AV201. Can you please provide the information necessary for me to get Toshiba to handle the repair? My laptop is just over 2 years old and out of warranty. I have already paid $150 for diagnosis and the laptop will be over $400 for the part. Desperate in Tampa, John
December 1st, 2007 at 5:10 am
I’ve a friend with a F10 – They also have the dead graphics card issue – pretty sure it was down to it overheating. Toshiba have already said it would not be done under warranty and would cost $600 to fix.
I have been able to take it to bits but can’t visibly see whats wrong. Is there a part I can replace myself (I’m able to solder microchips etc)
November 20th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Contact Toshiba. They will repair it for free. It is not public knowledge, but if you contact them they will repair it. They even sent me a pre-paid box to ship it to them. It took 2 to 3 weeks for return, but it was fixed!
October 30th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
yeah.. i have a Toshiba qosmio qf10-124 model no.pqf10e-01LOOKEN..and its the same problem..i tried to install the video drivers and it wont start up with it,but when i started it in safe mode and uninstall it, then it turn on,but with vertical lines on the screen. i used a external monitor and its the same thing. its only about 18 months old and i have not really used it to do anything so for.. just play music and games.I’m from Jamaica so i really don’t know what to do.does any one have any suggestions
September 27th, 2007 at 2:33 am
I have a Qosmio G10 133 and after 18 months the computer presented the same problem while I was playing Battlefield 1942. The Battle of Britain scenarion became multicolored with lines everywhere. I could realise that the only thing that can be done in short term is cooling down the laptop, restoring the system if necessary and setting the desktop to run favoring performance instead of appearence. I’ll contact toshiba and inform them about the problem I’m facing but before I’ll backup my data as the dude above did.
It’s more than clear the Toshiba’s Laptops have overheating problems related to the video card.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:26 am
please email me the memo or fax it to me please i need it.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Hi people, I have F15-av201 notebook and need to know what chip is the bios chip ?
February 21st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Gustavo,
Isn’t this motherboard recall is over already?
February 20th, 2007 at 2:22 am
this toshiba has a motherboard recall if any is not goos call them and they will replace it at no charge.
February 15th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
The nvadia chip is probably most difficult as it has lots of micro resitors around it .So swaping bios chips would be easier ,Does anyone know where it is on the board or have a M2 pcb schematic?
February 15th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
dgarp,
I haven’t done it yet.
the video chip and the BIOS chip are soldered to the motherboard. I think you cannot swap the video chip but not sure about the BIOS chip, that’s a good question.
February 14th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hi there
I have a tecra m2 with vertical lines i understand the gpu is damaged .However i have another m2 which is fine apart from i lost the bios password .Can the gpu be swapped or the bios chip even ??
December 13th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
How do I replace the hard drive on a Toshiba Portege 3490ct? I can’t seem to find the hard drive and the disassembly guide website do not have one for the 3490ct.
Thanks
December 10th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
I currently have a qosmio g25. I sent in this laptop for an overheating problem and it appears to have happened again. I will be sending it back for warranty issues. But my two questions are,
1. my overheating problem came back when i was playing BF2142 on the highest graphical setting (just started to happen today). Now I am not 100% sure it is overheating, but according to notebook hardware control, my regular temp, while in dynamic state, is registering at ~147 F when it normally was at ~125 F. Would playing graphic intensive games cause this problem to occur? and if this were to happen a third time, would it be covered under some “lemon law”?
2. Do you have any dissassembly instructions for the Qosmio G25?
Thanks again. This site is great.
November 15th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
I just wanted to follow up on this dialog we had before concerning my F15 Qosmio repair by Toshiba.
I am happy to say that Toshiba replaced my motherboard at no charge on Aug 30, and it came back to my repair shop a few days later, about a month total from when it was shipped back. The process was handled via my local UPS Store, and there was no charge for the shipping. The new system board contains the more powerful nvidia GeForce GO6600 video processor. The hard drive was set back to factory settings, so I lost my user installed applications, and have started fresh with the system. I had backed up my data beforehand. They also included a new set of 2 recovery CDs in the box.
It seems to be working fine now, and the only drawback was that it took so long to repair (all summer!) that I had to purchase a replacement notebook computer for my wife to use anyway. The Qosmio F15 still is a nice machine, and serves my needs very well except for it’s still short battery life which only runs about 1.5 hours. fortunately, it is not one of the ones affected by the recent battery recall by Toshiba. I’m using now as a portable design and presentation machine.
Thanks again for your help.
October 29th, 2006 at 3:49 am
Worked like magic! Being an Apple user I was unfamiliar with Windiws XP, but changing the resolution did the trick. I really appreciate the help!
October 27th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Zeev,
Try setting the screen resolution to maximum. Right click on the desktop, go to properties, settings tab and move the screen resolution slider to the right.
You said:
This link will take you to downloads for Toshiba Portege 3490ct. They have display drivers for Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows 98SE, but not for XP. You can try to install Win2000 driver, but I’m not sure if it’s going to work.
October 27th, 2006 at 12:19 am
After reinstalling WinXP the screen dispaly is sized down.
I received a Toshiba Portege 3490ct, which had not been in use for a while and needed a full HD formate. It came without the original discs. I installed WinXP sp2, which I have under a corporate license (I am a student and my university has it) but the screen seems to be sized down. At Toshiba site I could not find display drivers for this model, and I am not sure how to fix that. Your help would be much appreciated.
October 24th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Thank you, LF, that link is showing exactly what my screen is doing. I’ll have to see if Toshiba or some other after-market manufacturer can supply me with a replacement screen that I may be able to install. You rock!
October 23rd, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Greg,
Take a look at the example 2 in this post: Laptop has bad video on the LCD screen. Your vertical lines look the same? If yes, then it might be the LCD screen problem.
October 22nd, 2006 at 9:22 pm
I have a Toshiba Satellite M65-S9063 with a vertical line problem, but I thought this problem could only occur on CRT monitors. There are two hair-thin vertical lines, each exactly the same distance away from the outer edge of the screen. They became visable a few days ago, first the left one and then a day later the right one. The lines run the entire length of the screen. Yup, you’re thinking the same thing I am, the two hair-thin lines that hold either a phosphor mask or an Invar shadow mask in place and that can usually be seen on CRT monitors if one looks reeeally closely, as black lines. Anyway, I didn’t think LCDs required these tiny wires (if that’s what they are) and how would they have acquired their current pickish color? Magnetized? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
September 13th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
There is a systemboard repair for F15 and G15 in 2/2006.
They did not notice the customers.
I also had similar problems, it happened once last year (display issue). It happened again last week. Mine was sent in for systemboard enhancement. Check with Tech support. They should tell you. Mine is in tech depot now.
Please check this forum too,
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread157738-3.html
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:55 pm
I had my computer repair store call Toshiba and at first they said the machine was out of warranty and wouldn’t be repaired, but since I had given them the information you sent me, my guys persisted and called again and got someone who agreed to authorize the free repair due to the defective motherboard. Toshiba told them to bring in into a UPS where it would be packed and shipped to the Toshiba repair plant, and repaired/returned in about 15 business days. I will let you know whether they repair or replace it. Hopefully, they will not charge anything.