I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only problem
is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the Toshiba
site and the model on the base of my machine.

The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this doesn't seem
top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads site for
the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS upgrade I ought
to be looking for.

Cheers,

Mark Diamond

"Diamond, Mark" <dot@dot.dot> wrote in message
news:egpna7$p4b$2@news-01.bur.connect.com.au
> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only
> problem is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on
> the Toshiba site and the model on the base of my machine.
>
> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this
> doesn't seem top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS
> downloads site for the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing
> what BIOS upgrade I ought to be looking for.

A *big warning* Mark. If you use the wrong BIOS update for your
computer, it can turn out to be one expensive paperweight. Why do you
want to update the BIOS anyway? Is something wrong?

--
Bill

The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the bottom of
the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same bios
anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....
rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full model
number.

Diamond, Mark wrote:

> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only problem
> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the Toshiba
> site and the model on the base of my machine.
>
> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this doesn't seem
> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads site for
> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS upgrade I ought
> to be looking for.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mark Diamond
>
>

On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:08:31 -0400, Barry Watzman
<WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:

:>The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the bottom of

There were some 1800 series that were labeled as the OP noted. They
had no "S" number.

:>the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same bios
:>anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....

Again, the 1800 was an exception. There were two unique releases in
the 1800 series. The first release used an accupoint mouse and
shipped with win98, winme or win2k. The second release used a
touchpad and shipped with winxp pro or winxp home. The system boards
were of a different design and the BIOS was different and did not
interchange.

:>rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full model
:>number.

Nope, he was correct.

PA = Portable Accessory part #
PS = Portable Satellite part #
PT = Portable Tecra part #
PP = Portable Portege part #
Etc.

BTW, to answer the original question:

PS181-***** = the first release of the 1800 with accupoint
PS183-***** = the second release of the 1800 with touchpad

180*-S**3 = the first release (1800-S203 for example)
180*-S**4 = the second release (1800-S204 for example)

So, since the OP has a PS183 model the BIOS (and other downloads) for
any 1800 with a "S" number ending in "4" will be the same.

I got a little long winded since I know you work on a lot of Toshibas
and it is a bit of a confusing issue. BTW, the 3000 series Satellite
is the same way in the "S" numbers ending in "3" are first generation
and "S" numbers ending in "4" are second generation.

me/2

:>Diamond, Mark wrote:
:>
:>> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only problem
:>> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the Toshiba
:>> site and the model on the base of my machine.
:>>
:>> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this doesn't seem
:>> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads site for
:>> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS upgrade I ought
:>> to be looking for.
:>>
:>> Cheers,
:>>
:>> Mark Diamond
:>>
:>>

Interesting information; I've only worked on a few 1800's.

One comment, however, I just went through a stack of laptops I have here
(over a dozen in the 300 and 4000 series), and ALL of the part numbers
on the laptops themselves are PAxxxx numbers (except one Canadian
4020CDT, which is "PAS", but since it's not a US unit, they can use a
totally different numbering scheme).


me/2 wrote:

> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:08:31 -0400, Barry Watzman
> <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:
>
> :>The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the bottom of
>
> There were some 1800 series that were labeled as the OP noted. They
> had no "S" number.
>
> :>the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same bios
> :>anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....
>
> Again, the 1800 was an exception. There were two unique releases in
> the 1800 series. The first release used an accupoint mouse and
> shipped with win98, winme or win2k. The second release used a
> touchpad and shipped with winxp pro or winxp home. The system boards
> were of a different design and the BIOS was different and did not
> interchange.
>
> :>rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full model
> :>number.
>
> Nope, he was correct.
>
> PA = Portable Accessory part #
> PS = Portable Satellite part #
> PT = Portable Tecra part #
> PP = Portable Portege part #
> Etc.
>
> BTW, to answer the original question:
>
> PS181-***** = the first release of the 1800 with accupoint
> PS183-***** = the second release of the 1800 with touchpad
>
> 180*-S**3 = the first release (1800-S203 for example)
> 180*-S**4 = the second release (1800-S204 for example)
>
> So, since the OP has a PS183 model the BIOS (and other downloads) for
> any 1800 with a "S" number ending in "4" will be the same.
>
> I got a little long winded since I know you work on a lot of Toshibas
> and it is a bit of a confusing issue. BTW, the 3000 series Satellite
> is the same way in the "S" numbers ending in "3" are first generation
> and "S" numbers ending in "4" are second generation.
>
> me/2
>
> :>Diamond, Mark wrote:
> :>
> :>> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only problem
> :>> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the Toshiba
> :>> site and the model on the base of my machine.
> :>>
> :>> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this doesn't seem
> :>> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads site for
> :>> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS upgrade I ought
> :>> to be looking for.
> :>>
> :>> Cheers,
> :>>
> :>> Mark Diamond
> :>>
> :>>

On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 21:44:46 -0400, Barry Watzman
<WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:

:>Interesting information; I've only worked on a few 1800's.
:>
:>One comment, however, I just went through a stack of laptops I have here
:>(over a dozen in the 300 and 4000 series), and ALL of the part numbers
:>on the laptops themselves are PAxxxx numbers (except one Canadian
:>4020CDT, which is "PAS", but since it's not a US unit, they can use a
:>totally different numbering scheme).

Okay, after doing some further research we're both sort of right.
Guess my memory isn't what it used to be. :-) After working primarily
on Toshibas for 12 years the only one I've touched in the last 3
months has been my own that I'm using right now.

In the "old days" the laptop PART numbers WERE PA**** for Satellite,
Satellite Pro, Libretto, Portege and Tecra. Then at some point
someone at Toshiba came up with the brilliant idea of making the part
number more descriptive so they started using PAS****, PAT**** &
PAP****. The Libretto was history by that time. Then at an even
later date, as the PART numbers started getting more complicated with
the infamous "S" numbers and all the different variations, is when
they shortened it to the current PS****, PP****, PT****, PL**** (the
return of the Libretto) and PQ****(Qosmio). This last change took
place around 1999 and is still in use today. For example the Tecra
780 was a PA****, the Tecra 8000 was a PAT**** and the Tecra 8100 was
a PT****.

BTW, another bit of trivia for you since you mentioned a Canadian unit
(the US 4020CDT is also a PAS****). The letter right before the
hyphen in the part number indicates coutry or region of origin with
the units using the newer type of part number.

Examples:

PS183U = US
PS183C = Canada
PS183J = Japan
PS183E = Europe
Etc.

It's the part after the hyphen that has no consistency from region to
region. My 5205-S703 was sold in Europe as a 5200-945 (or something
like that). The "S" numbers seem to be primarily used in the US. I
guess that's so the retailers like Best Buy can confuse people by
advertising a S**** instead of the "real" model/part number. :-)

me/2

:>
:>
:>me/2 wrote:
:>
:>> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:08:31 -0400, Barry Watzman
:>> <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:
:>>
:>> :>The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the bottom of
:>>
:>> There were some 1800 series that were labeled as the OP noted. They
:>> had no "S" number.
:>>
:>> :>the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same bios
:>> :>anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....
:>>
:>> Again, the 1800 was an exception. There were two unique releases in
:>> the 1800 series. The first release used an accupoint mouse and
:>> shipped with win98, winme or win2k. The second release used a
:>> touchpad and shipped with winxp pro or winxp home. The system boards
:>> were of a different design and the BIOS was different and did not
:>> interchange.
:>>
:>> :>rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full model
:>> :>number.
:>>
:>> Nope, he was correct.
:>>
:>> PA = Portable Accessory part #
:>> PS = Portable Satellite part #
:>> PT = Portable Tecra part #
:>> PP = Portable Portege part #
:>> Etc.
:>>
:>> BTW, to answer the original question:
:>>
:>> PS181-***** = the first release of the 1800 with accupoint
:>> PS183-***** = the second release of the 1800 with touchpad
:>>
:>> 180*-S**3 = the first release (1800-S203 for example)
:>> 180*-S**4 = the second release (1800-S204 for example)
:>>
:>> So, since the OP has a PS183 model the BIOS (and other downloads) for
:>> any 1800 with a "S" number ending in "4" will be the same.
:>>
:>> I got a little long winded since I know you work on a lot of Toshibas
:>> and it is a bit of a confusing issue. BTW, the 3000 series Satellite
:>> is the same way in the "S" numbers ending in "3" are first generation
:>> and "S" numbers ending in "4" are second generation.
:>>
:>> me/2
:>>
:>> :>Diamond, Mark wrote:
:>> :>
:>> :>> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only problem
:>> :>> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the Toshiba
:>> :>> site and the model on the base of my machine.
:>> :>>
:>> :>> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this doesn't seem
:>> :>> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads site for
:>> :>> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS upgrade I ought
:>> :>> to be looking for.
:>> :>>
:>> :>> Cheers,
:>> :>>
:>> :>> Mark Diamond
:>> :>>
:>> :>>

Many thanks for the advice and the cautions (and the trivia!). As you
guessed, I did get the model number right from the label, although I was not
so sure that I didn't have to check!

Reason for thinking about updating it? ... I recently changed over to an
ADSL connection from a dial-up one, I've had no problems with the connection
itself, but since I started using the Ethernet/ADSL modem link I have been
getting an error message (I think it appears after the machine hibernates
but if so, it doesn't appear ever time). The error is NOT a blue screen
Windows one. It is about 9pt white writing on an otherwise blank black
screen. It warns that if this is the first time the message has appeared
then just restart, but that if it appears again, then update the BIOS.

Mark Diamond

"Diamond, Mark" <dot@dot.dot> wrote in message
news:egt73s$qal$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au
> Many thanks for the advice and the cautions (and the trivia!). As you
> guessed, I did get the model number right from the label, although I
> was not so sure that I didn't have to check!
>
> Reason for thinking about updating it? ... I recently changed over to
> an ADSL connection from a dial-up one, I've had no problems with the
> connection itself, but since I started using the Ethernet/ADSL modem
> link I have been getting an error message (I think it appears after
> the machine hibernates but if so, it doesn't appear ever time). The
> error is NOT a blue screen Windows one. It is about 9pt white writing
> on an otherwise blank black screen. It warns that if this is the
> first time the message has appeared then just restart, but that if it
> appears again, then update the BIOS.

Oh! Wow! Yeah maybe a BIOS update will fix it. Then again or maybe it
won't. :(

--
Bill

I forgot to mention in my last post (reply to yours) that the full model
number as written on the base is PS183A-2Q54PP. I had left the second
section off my original post in a foolish moment of thinking that it was
machine specific (i.e. part of a serial number). Confusingly, that doesn't
quite match anything on the Toshiba site;
http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.c...nload_bios.jsp
They list 1800-100 180-0-204, 1800-214 but I take it that since the machine
*has* got a touchpad, one of the 1800-xx4 BIOSs should be OK if I do decide
to go ahead and update?

Cheers,
Mark Diamond


"me/2" <null@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:0ve3j2d5danml91l4foitcrtorla217qsa@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 21:44:46 -0400, Barry Watzman
> <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:
>
> :>Interesting information; I've only worked on a few 1800's.
> :>
> :>One comment, however, I just went through a stack of laptops I have here
> :>(over a dozen in the 300 and 4000 series), and ALL of the part numbers
> :>on the laptops themselves are PAxxxx numbers (except one Canadian
> :>4020CDT, which is "PAS", but since it's not a US unit, they can use a
> :>totally different numbering scheme).
>
> Okay, after doing some further research we're both sort of right.
> Guess my memory isn't what it used to be. :-) After working primarily
> on Toshibas for 12 years the only one I've touched in the last 3
> months has been my own that I'm using right now.
>
> In the "old days" the laptop PART numbers WERE PA**** for Satellite,
> Satellite Pro, Libretto, Portege and Tecra. Then at some point
> someone at Toshiba came up with the brilliant idea of making the part
> number more descriptive so they started using PAS****, PAT**** &
> PAP****. The Libretto was history by that time. Then at an even
> later date, as the PART numbers started getting more complicated with
> the infamous "S" numbers and all the different variations, is when
> they shortened it to the current PS****, PP****, PT****, PL**** (the
> return of the Libretto) and PQ****(Qosmio). This last change took
> place around 1999 and is still in use today. For example the Tecra
> 780 was a PA****, the Tecra 8000 was a PAT**** and the Tecra 8100 was
> a PT****.
>
> BTW, another bit of trivia for you since you mentioned a Canadian unit
> (the US 4020CDT is also a PAS****). The letter right before the
> hyphen in the part number indicates coutry or region of origin with
> the units using the newer type of part number.
>
> Examples:
>
> PS183U = US
> PS183C = Canada
> PS183J = Japan
> PS183E = Europe
> Etc.
>
> It's the part after the hyphen that has no consistency from region to
> region. My 5205-S703 was sold in Europe as a 5200-945 (or something
> like that). The "S" numbers seem to be primarily used in the US. I
> guess that's so the retailers like Best Buy can confuse people by
> advertising a S**** instead of the "real" model/part number. :-)
>
> me/2
>
> :>
> :>
> :>me/2 wrote:
> :>
> :>> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:08:31 -0400, Barry Watzman
> :>> <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:
> :>>
> :>> :>The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the
bottom of
> :>>
> :>> There were some 1800 series that were labeled as the OP noted. They
> :>> had no "S" number.
> :>>
> :>> :>the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same
bios
> :>> :>anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....
> :>>
> :>> Again, the 1800 was an exception. There were two unique releases in
> :>> the 1800 series. The first release used an accupoint mouse and
> :>> shipped with win98, winme or win2k. The second release used a
> :>> touchpad and shipped with winxp pro or winxp home. The system boards
> :>> were of a different design and the BIOS was different and did not
> :>> interchange.
> :>>
> :>> :>rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full
model
> :>> :>number.
> :>>
> :>> Nope, he was correct.
> :>>
> :>> PA = Portable Accessory part #
> :>> PS = Portable Satellite part #
> :>> PT = Portable Tecra part #
> :>> PP = Portable Portege part #
> :>> Etc.
> :>>
> :>> BTW, to answer the original question:
> :>>
> :>> PS181-***** = the first release of the 1800 with accupoint
> :>> PS183-***** = the second release of the 1800 with touchpad
> :>>
> :>> 180*-S**3 = the first release (1800-S203 for example)
> :>> 180*-S**4 = the second release (1800-S204 for example)
> :>>
> :>> So, since the OP has a PS183 model the BIOS (and other downloads) for
> :>> any 1800 with a "S" number ending in "4" will be the same.
> :>>
> :>> I got a little long winded since I know you work on a lot of Toshibas
> :>> and it is a bit of a confusing issue. BTW, the 3000 series Satellite
> :>> is the same way in the "S" numbers ending in "3" are first generation
> :>> and "S" numbers ending in "4" are second generation.
> :>>
> :>> me/2
> :>>
> :>> :>Diamond, Mark wrote:
> :>> :>
> :>> :>> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only
problem
> :>> :>> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the
Toshiba
> :>> :>> site and the model on the base of my machine.
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this
doesn't seem
> :>> :>> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads
site for
> :>> :>> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS
upgrade I ought
> :>> :>> to be looking for.
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> Cheers,
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> Mark Diamond
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>>

"Diamond, Mark" <dot@dot.dot> wrote in message
news:egt8eq$s0b$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au
> I forgot to mention in my last post (reply to yours) that the full
> model number as written on the base is PS183A-2Q54PP. I had left the
> second section off my original post in a foolish moment of thinking
> that it was machine specific (i.e. part of a serial number).
> Confusingly, that doesn't quite match anything on the Toshiba site;
> http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.c...nload_bios.jsp
> They list 1800-100 180-0-204, 1800-214 but I take it that since the
> machine *has* got a touchpad, one of the 1800-xx4 BIOSs should be OK
> if I do decide to go ahead and update?

I'd say hold off on that idea for now. Let's hear from others first and
there is no rush right now. Remember if it isn't the right one, that
laptop is toast! :(

--
Bill

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:49:47 +1000, "Diamond, Mark" <dot@dot.dot>
wrote:

:>Many thanks for the advice and the cautions (and the trivia!). As you
:>guessed, I did get the model number right from the label, although I was not
:>so sure that I didn't have to check!
:>
:>Reason for thinking about updating it? ... I recently changed over to an
:>ADSL connection from a dial-up one, I've had no problems with the connection
:>itself, but since I started using the Ethernet/ADSL modem link I have been
:>getting an error message (I think it appears after the machine hibernates
:>but if so, it doesn't appear ever time). The error is NOT a blue screen
:>Windows one. It is about 9pt white writing on an otherwise blank black
:>screen. It warns that if this is the first time the message has appeared
:>then just restart, but that if it appears again, then update the BIOS.
:>
:>Mark Diamond
:>

You're welcome. Based on what you said above you may want to check
for an updated network card driver at the same place where you went
for the BIOS update. I know the various windows updates and service
packs have required the updating of some hardware drivers.

Good luck,
me/2

On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 07:49:40 -0500, "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote:

:>"Diamond, Mark" <dot@dot.dot> wrote in message
:>news:egt8eq$s0b$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au
:>> I forgot to mention in my last post (reply to yours) that the full
:>> model number as written on the base is PS183A-2Q54PP. I had left the
:>> second section off my original post in a foolish moment of thinking
:>> that it was machine specific (i.e. part of a serial number).
:>> Confusingly, that doesn't quite match anything on the Toshiba site;
:>> http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.c...nload_bios.jsp
:>> They list 1800-100 180-0-204, 1800-214 but I take it that since the
:>> machine *has* got a touchpad, one of the 1800-xx4 BIOSs should be OK
:>> if I do decide to go ahead and update?
:>
:>I'd say hold off on that idea for now. Let's hear from others first and
:>there is no rush right now. Remember if it isn't the right one, that
:>laptop is toast! :(

Actually it's no big deal. After spending 12 years working on
Toahibas I never saw one that would allow you to flash the wrong BIOS
as long as you got an offical BIOS disk directly from Toshiba. Toshiba
has always incorporated a check in the BIOS updater and refuses to
update the BIOS if it's not the right one. This is especially
critical with some the newer models like the A105 that are
manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba using unique
system boards. Yep, you read that right. Depending on which A105 you
have it may have actually been built by Compal, Inventec or Quanta.
They pretty much look the same on the outside using similar case
designs but that's as far as it goes.

I've always owned Toshiba notebooks. I started with a Tecra 510CDT
followed by a Satellite 4090XDVD, a Satellite 2805-S402 and my current
Satellite 5205-S703. The last one was the only one purchased new and
it's close to 4 years old now and still going strong. I worked
primarily on Toshibas for around 12 years with the last 10 being at a
Premier ASP. Due to Toshiba cutting the warranty labor reimbursement
to less than half of what it was when I started there I was
"downsized" a few months ago. That, along with the fact that they
pretty much bailed on the corporate market which was a high percentage
of our work, left the owner no choice but to cut back on personnel.

Based on what I saw in the last few years I would find myself hard
pressed to buy another Toshiba except for one fact. The main selling
point for me buying another Toshiba is that I can get local walk-in
service and I'm still on good terms with the owner of the Premier ASP
where I used to work. Any hardware problems with any other brand I
would find myself having to ship the unit off for repair. Of course
if Toshiba keeps cutting back on what they pay the service centers I
can foresee a lot of them closing up shop as far as doing Toshiba
warranty repairs.

me/2

Re: "This is especially critical with some the newer models like the
A105 that are manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba
using unique system boards."

That's pretty incredible, but in a way not surprising: There are over 5
dozen different configurations ("Sxxxx" suffixes) of the A105, and it's
still growing (they are just now introducing Core 2 Duo models). And
apparently, from my observations and coments by yourself and others,
they don't even all use the same power supply voltage, and they don't
use the same CPUs or chipsets either (at least the 915 and 945 chipsets
have been used, and I expect to see a 965 chipset model soon). So the
A105 series really can't even be considered to be a single model, for
many purposes.

Any way to know who builds which models?

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:30:54 -0400, Barry Watzman
<WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:

:>Re: "This is especially critical with some the newer models like the
:>A105 that are manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba
:>using unique system boards."
:>
:>That's pretty incredible, but in a way not surprising: There are over 5
:>dozen different configurations ("Sxxxx" suffixes) of the A105, and it's
:>still growing (they are just now introducing Core 2 Duo models). And
:>apparently, from my observations and coments by yourself and others,
:>they don't even all use the same power supply voltage, and they don't
:>use the same CPUs or chipsets either (at least the 915 and 945 chipsets
:>have been used, and I expect to see a 965 chipset model soon). So the
:>A105 series really can't even be considered to be a single model, for
:>many purposes.
:>
:>Any way to know who builds which models?

About the only way I know of for sure any more is to snoop around in
things like the BIOS and some of the "Toshiba" utilities and look for
company names. A hex editor can be pretty revealing. :-)

What used to work pretty good back when I was still working at a
Toshiba ASP was to check out the "service" part numbers for major
components.

As a rule the following was true:

P000...... = Toshiba
K000...... = Compal
V000...... = Inventec
A000...... = Quanta

However, this wasn't always true for Inventec since I remember there
being a few Inventec models in the past that used P000...... service
part numbers. Also, even though I don't believe Toshiba makes any of
the US models any more, there are still a few that are using
P000...... service part numbers. More Inventec?? Or someone else
altogether??

Of course this means doing some disassembly on the computer or having
access to a login id/company id/password for the ASP part of the
Toshiba Atlas website.

Sometimes if you're lucky you'll find the "service part number" on
something easily accessible like the ac adapter or battery in addition
to the "accessory part number" which is normally a PA...... number.
Also, some of the Compal and Inventec models will have a service part
number for the system board on a sticker visible on the PCB under one
of the covers for RAM, WiFi or Bluetooth.

BTW, to the best I can remember, the M45 was the first model line that
was manufactured by multiple vendors. Other than generic parts there
was nothing that interchanged between the two. There were at least 3
or 4 different unique restore discs that all just said M45 on the disc
with no indication of what "S" numbers they went with. Actually they
would all install on any M45 because the only machine check they did
was for "Satellite M45" in the DMI string. However, once you went to
run the setup you either faced bluescreens or ended up with an error
filled install either using generic drivers or a lot of exclamation
points in device manager.

I think this all got started when Toshiba released the M30/M35 from
one company (Inventec IIRC) and then came out a little later with the
M30X/M35X that was manufactured by another company (Compal). At least
there they added the "X" to the model name but a lot of people still
got them confused. They thought that since the "X" was a newer model
it was better when actually the opposite was true.

Good luck trying to figure it all out. :-)

me/2

As someone who has been a product line manager and director, I can't
imagine doing things this way. If I was going to have the same "model"
(say the A105) made by different firms, I'd set some groundrules:
Basically, total software compatability (including BIOS), and all parts
interchangeable down to the motherboard level (different motherboards
would be ok, but you could still take one out and put another one in
..... same mechanical mounting and external cable connections). And same
accessories (battery, power adapter, drives, memory, etc.).

The situation as you describe would be a nightmare to manage.

************************************************** *********

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:30:54 -0400, Barry Watzman
<WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote:

:>Re: "This is especially critical with some the newer models like the
:>A105 that are manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba
:>using unique system boards."
:>
:>That's pretty incredible, but in a way not surprising: There are over 5
:>dozen different configurations ("Sxxxx" suffixes) of the A105, and it's
:>still growing (they are just now introducing Core 2 Duo models). And
:>apparently, from my observations and coments by yourself and others,
:>they don't even all use the same power supply voltage, and they don't
:>use the same CPUs or chipsets either (at least the 915 and 945 chipsets
:>have been used, and I expect to see a 965 chipset model soon). So the
:>A105 series really can't even be considered to be a single model, for
:>many purposes.
:>
:>Any way to know who builds which models?

About the only way I know of for sure any more is to snoop around in
things like the BIOS and some of the "Toshiba" utilities and look for
company names. A hex editor can be pretty revealing. :-)

What used to work pretty good back when I was still working at a
Toshiba ASP was to check out the "service" part numbers for major
components.

As a rule the following was true:

P000...... = Toshiba
K000...... = Compal
V000...... = Inventec
A000...... = Quanta

However, this wasn't always true for Inventec since I remember there
being a few Inventec models in the past that used P000...... service
part numbers. Also, even though I don't believe Toshiba makes any of
the US models any more, there are still a few that are using
P000...... service part numbers. More Inventec?? Or someone else
altogether??

Of course this means doing some disassembly on the computer or having
access to a login id/company id/password for the ASP part of the
Toshiba Atlas website.

Sometimes if you're lucky you'll find the "service part number" on
something easily accessible like the ac adapter or battery in addition
to the "accessory part number" which is normally a PA...... number.
Also, some of the Compal and Inventec models will have a service part
number for the system board on a sticker visible on the PCB under one
of the covers for RAM, WiFi or Bluetooth.

BTW, to the best I can remember, the M45 was the first model line that
was manufactured by multiple vendors. Other than generic parts there
was nothing that interchanged between the two. There were at least 3
or 4 different unique restore discs that all just said M45 on the disc
with no indication of what "S" numbers they went with. Actually they
would all install on any M45 because the only machine check they did
was for "Satellite M45" in the DMI string. However, once you went to
run the setup you either faced bluescreens or ended up with an error
filled install either using generic drivers or a lot of exclamation
points in device manager.

I think this all got started when Toshiba released the M30/M35 from
one company (Inventec IIRC) and then came out a little later with the
M30X/M35X that was manufactured by another company (Compal). At least
there they added the "X" to the model name but a lot of people still
got them confused. They thought that since the "X" was a newer model
it was better when actually the opposite was true.

Good luck trying to figure it all out. :-)

me/2