Need help with a Laptop in a loop.

E

EINREB

Member
I have a Toshiba Laptop running Windows 7, Home Edition with a big problem. I was trying to restore the computer using the build-in Recovery Software when somehow something bad did happen.
The computer showed a screen with on the bottom a large bar stating "Windows is Loading Files", followed with the familiar animation in the center with "Starting Windows". This was followed with new window with the text:

"ERROR
An error has occured
ERROR: F3-F200-0002

an ERROR has occured
Please press OK to turn off the computer"

When you do so, the following appears "Recovery of Default Software"
The computer switches off, and goes dead.

Restarting the computer just repeats the above everytime. No key pressed, (Like any of the F keys or Cntrl-Alt-DEL) will change the above sequence. The computer keeps on repeating the above and just will not start. It also will not read the CD ROM drive, thus any kind of boot CD will not work.
I am at wits end, anyone knows what is going on and knows what to do?
Any help is appreciated.
 
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johnb35 said:
Sounds like there is an issue with the recovery process itself. Same problem here.

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/System-Recovery-and-Recovery/Error-F3-F200-0002/td-p/311510

The fix was to use an actual windows 7 install dvd to reinstall windows and use the key on the bottom of the laptop to activate.
Click to expand...

The link shows indeed the problem that I have. It must be a bug in the Toshiba Recovery process. (My model is Satelite C855D ) Problem is that it does not see the CD now, and, consequently, I can not use an installation disk. (I tried that). I will look further in the link above and see if may be Toshiba can repair my laptop.


UPDATE: I took out the HD, and it is now to the point that it asks for a booting device, and the CD is working again. Thus, the buggy program is now writen on the HD, and maybe only a new one will solve this problem
And, by using the recovery disks, it can be repaired.
I have to look into the price of an replacement!
 
UPDATE: The computer will respond to the F keys, and a F8 at the very beginning. I missed that fact, because everything happens fast.
The familiar text window comes up, where you can choose an action to be taken, like "Last configuration that worked", or "Save mode", "Command Mode", etc.
I went through every one of them, about ten choices, all end up displaying the ERROR F3-F200 window.
I am starting to believe that only a new BIOS chip will do.
Has anybody any experience with that process? Is that even possible to obtain one from the Manufacturer? I know that there is a way to download a new version of the BIOS in some models, but this is a non-working Computer, thus that is no help.
BTW Even when I get into the BIOS, I do not see the CD ROM listed as a peripheral. Consequently, I can not choose a CD to boot from, because there is no CD device being detected at this time.

In the mean time, I have ordered a replacement HD, and see what that will do.
 
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UDATE: This error turns out to be a problem with the software used in the Toshiba Recovery system. Thanks to johnb35's link to the TOSHIBA FORUM, I found out that this error always occurs when the Recovery process gets interrupted somehow, and has happened to many unlucky owners.
Fortunately, there is a simple, but largely unknown solution for this problem which involves a so called Power Reset.
Here you remove the battery, unplug the AC power cord,and wait for a few seconds. Then you push the power button for about 30 seconds, plug in your AC and install your battery.
Miraculously a screen will pop up, and you can set the boot sequence by pushing F12. Set it to boot it from a CD and use your Recovery disks to restore the system.
I did so and sure enough, to my big relief it all happened as instructed, and I restored the Laptop back to an OUT-OF-BOX condition.

Caution: When done, make sure that you have set the correct date and time before you use Internet Explorer, for the system sets them as of the date when the Recovery Disks were made. This will create havoc with the use of IE on the Internet, for the certifications will be found out of date!
 
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