My OperaTroubleshooting Installation of Windows Vista, Server 2008 and 7 for Toshiba Satellite M40 Laptops
Thursday, November 23, 2006 2:57:50 AM
- Update (31 May 2009): Note that this same process (in particular the pcmcia related caveats) has been successfully tested with Vista RTM, and Windows Server 2008. Refer to my comment from today for Windows Server 2008 instructions (31st May 2009).
- Update (04 Nov 2009): This process should work for installing, R2 upgrade and SPx updates for: Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7.
Well, looking at the date of my last post... I guess it's that of year again, yes, the annual post!
MSDN is a real pain sometimes. Anyways, I finally got hold of my MSDN Vista Ultimate, they finally cleared the server backlog and gave us some serials, and I finally got Vista installed successfully!
Microsoft Vista on the Toshiba Satellite M40
If you, like me, have a Toshiba Satellite M40 (other machines seem to suffer the same symptoms), and can't figure out why Vista isn't booting, perhaps you might be interested how I installed it (yes, it happened to me from their earliest releases right up until RTM, just in case you were wondering). I guess I'll do the standard thing, and list out my hardware specs, as it seems to be the normal thing to do in these types of technical rants (I already told you--I have an M40!):
Toshiba Satellite M40-SF3 (PSM40C-SF300E)
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.87ghz CPU
2048MB ram (stock machines come with 512mb)
Dedicated Nvidia 6600 Go 128 mb video card
Ok, so now that we've confirmed that our computers are similar (or not), let's see if we suffered the same symptoms:
Vista looks like it installs properly. When it reboots, the computer starts up and the lowres windows splashscreen loads (with the green moving progress bar). The bar moves across a few times, then stops completely. All lights/activity cease shortly after.
-OR-
Vista looks like it installs properly. When it reboots, I see a blank black screen of death.
I'm glad I finally managed to figure it out after trying every single MSDN release of Vista unsuccessfully (sigh), luckily, my boss is a downloadaholic.
This is exactly what I did to get Vista to install:
I had the delight of discovering two problems interfering with Vista. After trying as many "one step" fixes as I could, of course.
ISSUE #1:
You need an external monitor/tv/etc. I plugged into the LCD TV here at home. Make sure the video out is enabled in your BIOS (Toshiba HWSetup in Control Panels, for instance), make sure it all works beforehand to save yourself some grief. Plug it in. Reboot the machine or run the upgrade from within Windows.
Don't ask me why--just do it...I know it sounds ridiculous. I can't begin to explain the delicate and mysterious ways in which Microsoft bugs work. The LCD must not initialize properly during the installation, for one reason or another. That's about all I know about it.
ISSUE #2:
1. Let it install.
2. When it reboots, make sure your Vista DVD is still in the drive. Boot from the DVD.
3. Select the Windows installation when it asks, and then select repair.
4. It will go through a long period of scanning or some sort of other bullshit. You should just cancel this.
5. You will see an option for advanced repair options. Go there.
6. Go to the command prompt there.
Now, two files are messing everything up at startup, you have to rename them:
c:\windows\system32\drivers\pcmcia.sys (rename it to anything else, i.e., pcmcia.bad)
- AND -
c:\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository\pcmcia.inf_1234a123 (the numbers at the end vary with the release)
So, now you've renamed them. Reboot. Vista should continue to finish off the install now. You can unplug from the video out (forever, if you wish).
I hope this works for you. If it does, please confirm it with me by dropping me a note! Thanks.
You must be 
Artarf # Thursday, November 23, 2006 3:06:49 AM
THIS STUFF WORKS:
- It will boot up, and your sound will not be working. Ensure you are connected to the internet, and let it search online for the drivers.
- Your graphics drivers will be the same deal. 1024x768. Download the drivers online, Vista should prompt you automagically.
- Wireless works.
- Ethernet works.
- Function keys work.
- Power saving functions work.
- All my USB devices/USB hub/etc work.
THIS STUFF DOESN'T WORK:
If you know how to make these work, please let me know.
1. Wireless works, but I have to manually toggle the on/off switch every time I reboot. For some reason, it doesn't power the wifi device automatically on startup anymore.
2. PCMCIA will not work. We renamed it, remember? I have no PCMCIA cards in use right now, and I haven't yet tried to replace the pcmcia system file. *** 04Nov09: SEE COMMENTS BELOW FOR PCMCIA FIX SUGGESTIONS ***
- arf
forenplayer # Saturday, December 2, 2006 2:17:48 AM
did you figure out how to solve it?
Artarf # Monday, December 4, 2006 12:54:33 AM
I haven't gotten this fixed yet. However, I do recall having the same problem upgrading XP Professional, which was resolved by downloading either the M40 or M60 wifi drivers, and re-installing. I haven't had too much time to look into this problem, I will let you know if I come across a solution for Vista.
Artarf # Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:10:42 AM
- Aero works. You need the latest available Vista NVidia drivers, possibly modified by a third-party (i.e., to match your card if you have a laptop). Graphics score went from 1.0 to 4.1.
- 6-in-1 memory card reader works, kind of(?): my Sony Memory Stick works, my friend's SD Card freezes the computer every time.
- arf
jeffdgr8 # Monday, January 29, 2007 7:13:58 PM
I am having problems getting my function keys to work. After installing the XP drivers for Toshiba Common Modules (v1.00.10K) and Toshiba Hotkey Utility (v1.00.03K), the brightness and sleep controls work, but nothing else does. Also, every time I bootup, I get an error "Hotkey Utility has stopped working." This is part of Toshiba Common Modules.
Also, my card reader does not work. I tried several different drivers, even a couple from later toshiba models (v2.00, v2.0.0.1, v2.0.0.6A) besides the default Microsoft driver. Inserting an SD card just froze my system. Could this have anything to do with PCMCIA not working (because I renamed the files)?
gfd29 # Sunday, February 18, 2007 1:36:08 PM
I renamed the files a la Art and then booted, but then I didn't have a cardbus controller. The trick is to rename the files in Vista to pcmcia.sys, disable the Texas Instruments pci-xx21/xx11 etc in device manager, then reboot. Vista will load the driver and it will boot. When back in windows, enable the device, and you can use it. The problem is, if you forget to disable the device before you reboot or shutdown, vista will lock up. The more permanent fix is to change the start type of the driver. It is normally loaded at the kernel level and I think that's what causes the problem. You can open a command box, type cmd in the start menu. Right click the icon and click Run as administrator. The command window will open. Type the following:
"sc config pcmcia start= auto" without the quotes, and leave the space after the equals sign. Go into device manager and re-enable the cardbus controller. Reboot, and voila! Vista will load, and you will have access to your pcmcia slot.
-re video card. I have an nVidia Geforce Go 6600 graphics chip on my laptop. I went to LaptopVideo2Go and downloaded the 97.52 driver package and also the INF it is the link next to the driver file. It is modified so that the driver will load on any laptop. Extract the package containing the driver files. Copy the modified inf file into the driver folder. Tell vista it's ok when it nags you. Open the driver file and run the install program. Anyway, hope this helps.
Artarf # Saturday, February 24, 2007 2:13:10 AM
jeffdgr:
We do have the same model of wireless card. It originally didn't exhibit this problem, but now seems to do it everytime on boot, regardless of the operating system that starts or shutsdown. I guess it doesn't have anything to do with Vista directly. It is annoying though. Perhaps with Vista finally hitting the store shelves a few weeks ago, we can see some official software support from Toshiba.
Regarding your function keys, I haven't tried the XP drivers here, but did it ask you to re-run the installation right after you installed it? Something to the effect of Vista asking you to let the setup run again with the proper settings?
gfd29:
Thanks for your input, I appreciate your documenting the solutions to these problems!
Another Vista driver source for the M40 is 3dguru, which also has a modified INF/setup package available for download. I'm not sure which site has the latest drivers at present.
- arf
pdomo # Friday, March 30, 2007 11:54:01 AM
I am trying to follow your instructions to rename the pcmcia files in Vista but so far cannot figure out how to do so from within Vista. I am logged as administrator but Vista will not allow me to rename these files.
Artarf # Saturday, March 31, 2007 11:26:31 PM
You have to rename the files from command line, but it MUST be done by booting the computer with the Vista install media (it's described in my article above).
pdomo # Sunday, April 1, 2007 8:01:34 PM
I did follow your directions to get Vista installed. Then I tried to follow gdf29's instructions to get the card bus controller back. He suggests disabling the device and changing the pcmcia files back the their original names. I can rename the files from the dvd command prompt but then I am back to the "no boot" problem. Perhaps I don't understand his suggestion.
superjua # Friday, April 6, 2007 5:59:25 PM
Good tip, I installed Vista in my M40-285 laptop following this steps and run fine, but only a problem, when I insert a SD card, my computer freezes and then I have to reboot manually, Anybody with the same issue?, any solution?, thanks
anthonykong # Friday, April 13, 2007 4:29:53 AM
my bluetooth is not working at all anyone got some idea where i can get a diver
Artarf # Saturday, April 14, 2007 11:51:38 PM
PDOMO:
I wish I could help further, but as I have no need for PCMCIA anymore, I've not tried his recommended solution. If anyone else has success, could they please drop us a note here?
If I were you, I might try (if you haven't already):
- disable the device.
- reboot into safe mode, then rename the file via command prompt.
- reboot into normal mode, does that fix the "no boot" problem?
SUPERJUA:
As noted, we seem to have the same problem. The only solution I've found is to connect to the SD media via another means (another card reader device, using usb cable from the camera to the computer for example, etc).
ANTHONYKONG:
Please check out the Toshiba Europe Bluetooth page, where you may directly download the proper bluetooth stack drivers for Vista:
http://aps.toshiba-tro.de/bluetooth/pages/download.php
I've installed it here on my system and it works fine.
I've experienced problems with the bluetooth stack interfering with wireless mice: if your bluetooth and mouse devices are attached to the same usb hub (I discovered this with my own setup, and the fix is simply to ensure your bluetooth device isn't plugged into your usb hub but directly into the usb port on the Toshiba).
Hope this helps,
- arf
gfd29 # Tuesday, May 8, 2007 12:24:43 PM
Regarding the fix for the pcmcia freeze in vista, I will try to be more clear:
-using the vista installation dvd (using the repair option from the command line) or bartpe, etc; rename the 2 files as mentioned by Arf
c:\windows\system32\drivers\pcmcia.sys (rename it to anything else, i.e., pcmcia.bad)
- AND -
c:\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository\pcmcia.inf_1234a123\pcmcia.sys (the numbers at the end vary with the release)
-vista will boot
-rename the above files back to pcmcia.sys
-open device manager and disable (don't uninstall) the Texas Instruments pci-xx21/xx11 etc
-reboot
-open device manager
-re-enable the device
-there is one more step to take so that vista won't freeze again
-press start and type cmd in the search box
-an icon will appear in the start menu
-right click the icon and select "run as administrator"
-type the following in the command prompt (without the quotes)
"sc config pcmcia start= auto"
-make sure you leave a space after the "=" sign
-hit enter
This will change the start type for the pcmcia service so that it starts with windows. You will be able to use the pc slot, and vista won't freeze. Hope this helps. Sorry I wasn't clear the first time.
rudifuller # Friday, May 18, 2007 8:22:33 PM
Someone please help!
I have been reading the above thread with interest as I am in the unfortunate position of owning Samsung M70 and Vista Ultimate 32bit.
My equipment is
Samsung M70 19" 1680x1200
Vista Ultimate
on board Geforce Go6600
after installing Vista on restart I ended up with a standard VGA adapter setting and best 1024 x 768.
I just read a post you put up about fixing the problem you had with a Go6600 card and Vista on a Samsung. I tried the laptopdrivers2go file and inf and all seemed fine, but on reboot I got a black screen.
A few other drivers and fixes I tried ended like this too.
Microsoft say it's not our problem
Nvidia say it's not our problem
Samsung say it's not our problem but we may fix it but are not giving any clues as to when. It's been next week every week for the last 3 months.
Do you have any ideas that could help me? Sorry for asking, but it would be so nice to use the notebook again.
all the best Rudi
I will post a similar question on the forum in case you don't see this, but think you may be my best hope.
Rafa48 # Thursday, May 24, 2007 11:05:49 PM
I have 3 problems to solve:
1) need vista drivers for Mass Storage Controller
2) The notebook do not shut down properly. I must press the power button after doing the shutdown.
3) My function FN key do not works.
Any help can be greatefully appreciated.
Rafael
noel8 # Saturday, June 2, 2007 5:42:57 AM
Artarf # Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:08:33 PM
Firstly--INSTALLING WINDOWS SERVER 2008 ON A TOSHIBA M40 NOTEBOOK:
I have tested the procedure. It's the same for Vista. This makes sense, considering they are using more or less the same Windows kernel. So, if you want to install Server 2008, just follow the same instructions as above for Vista.
Secondly--SERVER 2008 SERVICE PACKS
Today, I discovered that Windows Server 2008's Service Pack "restored" PCMCIA.SYS into the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers directory.
This means that when Server 2008 rebooted the machine after installing the SP update, it hung on the Windows logo with animated progress bar screen.
Thankfully, the same procedure works to fix this issue: boot with Windows media, go into Repair mode and enter the command prompt, and rename/remove the offending file.
Hope this helps.
Keep on truckin' guys,
- arf
Aka Luckyakalucky # Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:04:52 PM
I spent 4 days swearing and searching for all the NVidia go6600 drivers support i could find but it still freezes at win 7 rc 7100 logo.
I had a sneaky sneaky suspicion that it was the texas instrument pcmcia but I didn't want to rip apart my laptop to unplug it.
Your tip is highly appreciated and thanks again!
Aka Luckyakalucky # Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:02:49 PM
disconnect wireless
cmd in admin mode and type: route delete 0.0.0.0
re-connect wireless and wait about 45 seconds
Works like a charm! post back any comments...
Artarf # Wednesday, November 4, 2009 9:52:37 AM
Glad you found the post useful. The frustrating thing is that the Toshiba doesn't actually give any indication that PCMCIA is the problem, so it's very much a trial-and-error process that left us all with fewer hairs on our head and higher blood pressure...
No problem about cross posting. Thanks for the tip regarding wireless: I'm unable to verify this as I've not installed 7 on my Toshiba yet, but if anyone can confirm akalucky's trick that would be great.
I must say that I'm very pleased to see this post/thread is still relevant and being referred to. Based on all comments so far, this post works to resolve Toshiba M40 install/SPx/Rx issues for any version of: Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7.
Thanks guys for the feedback, and keep on truckin'!
- arf
FloDoorz # Thursday, December 10, 2009 3:42:20 PM
I used windows7 ultimate 32bit Version 6.1.7600
I did not have to use an aditional display during installation.
After installing windows update found all missing drivers by itself (sound, ATI video driver) Aereo works on both machines
location of pcmcia.sys files:
c:\windows\system32\drivers\pcmcia.sys (same as vista)
c:\windows\system32\driverstore\filerepository\pcmcia.inf_x86_neutral_42dda5eb5768a3df\pcmcia.sys (different from vista)
I also typed "sc config pcmcia start= auto" in the command prompt.
I tryed to rename both pcmcia.sys files as described before, but Windows 7 doesn't let you rename the pcmcia.xx files from within the "elevated command prompt" (command
prompt with admistrator rights) when you are running windows7, i had to
boot from The install DVD, go to advanced repair options, command prompt, and then rename the two pcmcia.xxx
files back to pcmcia.sys
Superjua said he had a problem with the SD card reader, i also had that (freezing, bad transfer rate from SD card) .I tryed a few different drivers and the only one which worke correctly was in the service pack SP30096 from Hewlett Packard, which has a Windows XP driver for the Texas PCI 7411 chipset Ignore the "drivers not signed" warning. I had to redo the entire renaming pcmcia.sys procedure and "sc config pcmcia start= auto" after that because the driver start type was set back again to default.
The driver version gets changed from 2.0 to 1.0.3.3 date 01/04/2005
I can use the pcmcia slot with a card for an aditional 2 USB ports.
Wifi works without any problem
To use the FN buttons you can download the XP drivers that toshiba has in their archives:
install first Common modules cmod-en-200711151561029,(version V1.01.17K)
then Toshiba hotkey utility thku-sm40-psm42-xp-10004k-en (V1.00.04K)
the toshiba power saver utility will not work with windows7
I used Notebook Hardware comtrol 2.0Pre-release-06 personal edition instead. this is a freeware program which has a lot of aditional information like exact battery capacity, cpu temp and you can also undervolt the processor to save some power etc
Windows evaluation: M40-331: Processor 3.3, Memory 4.4, Aero Graphics 2.9, Game graphics 3.7, Harddisc 5.9
Windows evaluation: M40-265: Processor 4.1, Memory 4.4, Aero Graphics 4.1, Game graphics 4.1, Harddisc 5.9
Artarf # Monday, December 14, 2009 8:43:06 PM
Originally posted by Doorz:
Hi Doorz,
Thanks very much for your detailed post, I'm sure many people will find the above information useful for 7!
Regards,
- arf