Toshiba Boot/ freeze problem

[winslow]

My nephew has a toshiba satalite computer about 3-4 years old. The computer has an intermitant freeze problem. While running the system will freeze up. Then when you try to restart it it won't power up. The system starts booting but the splash/ bios screen never loads up, the LCD remains blank. I tried removing one ram modle then tried booting but no luck. What could be the problem? Was thinking maybe the hard drive but woldn't it at least boot into the BIOS even if the HDD was bad?

[carbon_unit]

Maybe not. Try taking it out. Also try removing the modem, nic and wireless card. If none of that helps PM me with the model number from the bottom of the unit.

[winslow]

Maybe not. Try taking it out. Also try removing the modem, nic and wireless card. If none of that helps PM me with the model number from the bottom of the unit.

I can try removing/ replacing the HDD but there isn't another cover on the bottom therefore It looks like major surgery to remove the other cards. ALso the backup battery isn't located underneath the battery so not sure where that is. Wish it was a thinkpad.

[vanaya]

Which model is this laptop? I have read that heat was a problem on s1903 series. The fan was choking on the dust through the intake vents. The symptoms were similar but shut down after freeze. After several tests, it would just light up LED's and shut down. I revived it by cleaning out fan and fresh thermal compound.