M400 Tablet freezes up

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking all over for a place to share my experience on the problem and to add my thoughts on the source of the problem. Hope I can add some insights; its my first time writing to a tech form so hope my message is not too lengthy.

My Laptop

I have as Toshiba M400 tablet PC for 2 1/2 years; it has a great mix of tablet and notebook features. I have Microsoft XP SP2 Tablet Edition 2005 running on it. As far as software the regular stuff- firefox, office, some additional tablet related pdf software. Just use it to do regular office related work not for games or high graphic use.

Problem
Now about a couple of months back it started to do the same thing that some of you mentioned here. A problem that I feel is the worst I have encountered so far while using a computer.

Symptoms:

• The laptop will freeze up at any time on any situation -
  • On startup just at the Toshiba screen
  • While logging on the computer (sometimes as you start typing the password)
  • On the XP loading up screen
  • While writing in tablet mode
  • If I just lift it from the table
  • While browsing the internet
  • While working on word (very annoying as it does not save anything)

• The fan blows like a jet engine and hot air keeps coming out
  • Sometimes the bottom of the laptop is hot
  • But mostly the bottom of the laptop is cold as ice

• Both 1 and 2 take place simultaneously with a short time gap

The only way to recover the laptop from this is to switch off the power button

My Trial & Error Test (So Far):

• Replacement of Fan/ Heat Sink:
  • So like anyone my thoughts were that the fan went bad. Ordered a complete heat sink online and installed it.
  • The fan/ heat sink keeps the laptop cool but the problem stayed on.

• Microsoft XP:
  • Re-installed XP Tablet two times (formatting everything & once regular); also tried XP pro once but no luck
  • Installed all the software step by step to see software were the problem

Still I get the problem.

• Anti-virus or Firewall Software (e.g AVG or others):
  • Had those software earlier and after re-installing XP removed all and just use the standard windows one but no luck

• Not to forget Bios
  • Tried every possible one that Toshiba made for the M400 model no solution
  • Just have the basic running now and no solution from there.
  • No luck from the Toshiba Help line either

Possible Reason (my take): Intel’s junk hardware

Don’t know why Toshiba gave Intel all the hardware manufacturing power. Apart from Intel’s processors everything else they placed inside my laptop is junk. They seem to overdo hardware parts thinking power is everything. Too many unnecessary features on hardware probably causing problems while the parts work together and it ends up freezing the system.

Should I try the Last Test

Replacing the motherboard:

• Can anyone tell how to replace the motherboard?
• Or should I replace the mother board?

Please let me know if anyone has found a solution


(Times the computer froze while finishing this message = 4 …. Very annoying)

Sorrry for my late reply but i am very new to posting stuff online on blog. Anyway the laptop is official done ... meaning dead... lol. There is no solution to this.. last i checked some websites were saying to download intel graphics card related drivers or something and when i did from intel no solution. The only thing that i figured out is that the motherboard is done. To replace one $250 or more... so went and brought a fujitsu tablet.

Fujitsu tablet is similar to toshiba but ligther although the keyboard and some features of toshiba were amazing. And ya moved from XP to Ubuntu ... man forget the drama of Xp or OS. Take care