dwayne59

Sorry if the question is a repeat, but tried to do a search on the site and haven't found anything that compares. So here goes...

I own a Toshiba 2455-S305, 2002/2003 Mdl with a 60GB HD. Was having problems with the Windows XP OS failing to boot properly. Was able to access the HD through a series of log ons using the F8 and entering on safe mode. Was also able to relocate my data by using several transfers (about 35GB) using an external HD and once more by taking out the laptop's HD and using a 2.5" case to transfer it again to a desktop PC.

Reinstalled the laptop's HD and wanted to restore the the entire system using the three Toshiba restore CDs (as I'm sure you know, the laptop did not come with a Windows CD; only the manufacturer restore ones).

Followed the directions on the little paper; with the first disk inserted, powered on laptop while holding down the "c" key until "Toshiba" appears on the screen. Get the warning message that all data will be lost. No problem, I tell the laptop to proceed. After a couple of seconds, the word's "wrong machine" dominate the screen and the A: DOS prompt appears below the text.

This makes no sense to me as the three CD's came with the laptop and there have been no hardware alterations to it whatsoever. The CD's should recognize the laptop, but I don't know why the restore failure. I called Toshiba's toll free number, but they only referred me to their website www.pcrepair.toshiba.com to find a local repair shop. Spoke with the youngin' at the repair shop who only said, "that's a new one," and no real resolution.

I'm a complete novice and any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

speedster123

if this is your first restore, theres a possibility that they gave you the wrong
restore disks from the start.

dai

or have you added a service pack since buying the machine

dwayne59

These are the disks that were included in the original packing when the laptop was purchased.

The only service pack I've likely added is Windows SP2. But the SP is a software issue; I would think NO software would/should matter if attempting a restore and the restore disks should be able to recognize the Toshiba components; or the unaltered machine.

Is there no way to get around this problem? Does this mean the laptop is fried and I can only install an independent OS; like installing another Windows edition top of the old XP? If I did the independent install, that would mean I lose all Toshiba related software uploads; correct? Can I sacrifice the Toshiba software uploads without a major compromise? I mean, the laptop is outside of Warranty Service anyway.

Thanks again for hitting all the questions...

dai

from what i could find it is related to the dmi string if the bios has been updated
make sure you have all the drivers for the laptop
then clear the drive with dban
then try the install