Toshiba Satellite A20 and A25. How to remove keyboard and upgrade memory modules.
Removing and replacing memory on a Toshiba Satellite A20 or A25 notebook is not as easy ad it should be. Both memory modules are located under the keyboard. A laptop keyboard has to be replaced in order to get access to the memory modules. Before you remove the keyboard do not forget to remove the laptop battery or you can damage the laptop. Be careful when you remove the keyboard securing strip; do not bend it too much. To remove the memory module from the slot on the system board, release the latches on both sides and the memory module will pop up. It will stay at a 30 degree angle to the system board. Firmly grasp the memory module and remove it from the slot.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Forgot to mention: I lost the previous battery, so I can’t just check the model of it or anything like that…
February 18th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
One quick question,
what’s the battery called that the A25-S307 uses?
My battery is dead-lost beyond the grave and I don’t know which type to shop for. Help please?
February 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Patty,
No, it’s not backward compatible. DDR2 memory module will not fit into DDR memory slot.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
IS DDR2 PC 5700 IS BACKWARD COMPATIBLE TO the toshiba A20/A25 satellite laptop?
February 1st, 2008 at 8:44 am
Matt, I uninstalled everything imaginable. I also ran a free program called CCLeaner, which cleaned up the registry. That definitely helped the speed. You’re always going to be handcuffed by the Video though, as it is onboard and only 32MB. 512MB RAM therefore becomes only 480MB. Also, the native Hard drives for these Toshiba’s have only a 4200RPM disk. Other than the video, the specs on the machine were actually very good for 2003. My other thing now is deciding whether to spend close to $150 on the hinges and a battery (which is dead). I think I’ve got the unit working well enough to make it worth it. However, I am still very leery on the hinges and whether they just break too easily.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:54 am
Hi Greg,
I’m having the same problem. I reformatted the drive, installed XP Home, installed all the drivers as I could and it still runs very slow for a 2.4 Ghz laptop. I have the latest BIOS (v1.4). Whats going on with this computer.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
CJ, greate guide you’ve made. I was given a Toshiba A20-S207. It appears that one of the hinges or both were broken. So I opened it up, and it looks like one is clearly broken and maybe the other one too. In fact, on the right one, the thin ring joint is broken off, as well as the end of the rod which runs through the back and connects to both hinges. Is that even replaceable? Also, whenever I google this laptop, there always seems to be a problem with the hinges. Are the hinges even worth replacing, given their high cost? Sound very flimsy. I’d hate to spend over $100 on hinges and have them break 2 months later.
My other question is in regards to the large main fan on the bottom. Is it normal for the fan to come on for a couple seconds and go back off?
Last one is the speed with which the system runs. This one is XP Pro, 512MB ram, P4/2.66 of course, and it runs like a dog. My 7 year old Athlon 850mhz runs 3 times as fast. I have defragged, taken out spyware, the whole nine yards. All aside from reformatting the system (I don’t have the Toshiba recovery disc). Is this just a slow system? It takes 10 seconds to open a program, and the multi-tasking is horrible.
Thanks
January 9th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Thanks for the super quick reply.
Both the user manuals i have (from recovery disk & Toshiba Australia site) say:
“Slots – 128, 256, 512 MB or 1 GB memory modules can be installed in the two memory slots for a maximum of 2 GB system memory.”
This was under “Features” in chapter 1.
Mine is a 3.06 GHz model and i live in (was purchased in) Australia.
I had a quick look at the user manual available from the Toshiba USA web site and it is alot different to the one available from the .AU site.
I hope this helps find some answers for some of the earlier posts. If i find the $$’s to do it i’ll let you know how i go.
Thanks again, From Mark.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Asymill8R,
Not SATA, that’s for sure. SATA has different connector type.
I believe that this laptop comes with Enhanced IDE (ATA-5) hard drive, so most likely the laptop has ATA-5 controller with data transfer rate 100Mb/sec. If you install ATA-6 hard drive (133Mb/sec) it will not run faster then 100Mb/sec because of the controller limitations. ATA-6 is backward compatible to ATA-5 but in your case there is no need to install ATA-6. Instead of that find a new hard drive with large buffer (8-16MB cache). You definitely can install 120GB hard drive, I’ve done it myself. Not sure about 160GB, never tried one.
Are you sure that your laptop will support up to 2GB? I just went through specifications for a couple of Satellite A20/A25 laptops (USA models) and they will support only 1GB max. Maybe your laptop is different, just make sure it supports 2GB. If it does, go for it.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Hi, First of all i love your guides, Very helpfull.
I own a A20 (PSA20A-08WR8) and i am planning on upgrading the Hdd to somewhere around 100GB – 160GB.
My question is, what type of drive do i shop for in order to be compatible with the A20 ? (SATA, EIDE, IDE, ATA-6) ?
Probably looking at 2x 1GB memory modules at some stage too (manual says thats the maximum for my model).
Thanks, From Mark.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Rany,
Toshiba specification for a Satellite A25 laptop says that you can install up to 1GB in both slots, it means not more then 512MB in each slot.
PC2100 DDR modules are standard for this model but also you can use PC2700 modules, it’s backward compatible with PC2100.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
do you thing i can use 2gb memory for a25
December 13th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I have a key which does not function. I can work round this problem but would rather have it fixed. Suggestions please..
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:05 pm
John A. Dixon,
You cannot replace the secondary fan without removing the top cover. Take a look at the step 19 of this disassembly guide, you’ll see the secondary fan on this image and get the idea how to remove the top cover.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Hi,
I’m trying to work on a Toshiba A25-S279 laptop with an axillary cooling fan that is going bad. How do I access this “second (Smaller) fan”? Through the top or do I need to remove the bottom? If the bottom, how do I proceed?
October 12th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I’m from Brazil and I was actualizing bios and i forgot plug power so batery goes down with incomplete flashing and as a result of a corrupt BIOS. So I’ll need to recover / reprograming. Do you know if in this model A20-259 Bios has socketed or soldered chip? If socketd where I can get?
Please it’s important
apreciate you help
Carlos
October 11th, 2007 at 4:47 am
also does anyone know if u can hook up an external video card or something like that?
thanx,
dean
October 11th, 2007 at 4:39 am
hi, why is n\it not possible to install 2 1GB sticks in the memory slots in my a20 for 2GB total of ram? i have been told it will work, but u guys say it wont and i dont want to waste the money if it doesnt, any help, thanx
September 26th, 2007 at 6:22 am
I am looking for a recovery disc for an A25-S207. Does anyone have an extra one out there or do I have to fork over the money to Toshiba for the outrageous prices they have for their support? Please help me out here I’m a college student trying to get caught up on homework…
August 8th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Ken,
You don’t have to replace the keyboard, just lift it up and place upside down on the palm rest. Now you can replace/upgrade the memory.
Probably you can upgrade the memory without using an ESD wrist strap, just do not touch anything on the system board and do not touch contacts on the memory module. You can handle the memory module by the edges without touching contacts.
It should be enough to prevent ESD. Just in case, touch any device with metal case before you go inside the laptop (for example a desktop computer case), it should discharge you.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:27 am
On the memory upgrade site it says “A laptop keyboard has to be replaced in order to get access to the memory modules” can I not just use the original key board?
Just want to make sure before I try and up grade.
Do I need an ESD wrist band for this? if so where can you get one? thank you very much.
Ken
July 24th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Hi,
I have a Toshiba A25 and the lid started to become loose.Now the lid closes when you move around the laptop. Is there any way I can fix this?
Please kindly advice.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Hi there, ive got a a25 s279, ive managed to crack my screen ( Doh! ) and im looking for a replacement, could i just use any old model as long as it has a 30 pin connector?
July 10th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
squir,
I’ve never served this model and never seen it in our shop, apparently it’s a new laptop (or not a USA model).
Here’s my advice for you. Whatever you buy, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc… , do not forget to buy an extended warranty for your laptop. It will pay off. Laptops break and it’s very expensive to fix them out of warranty.
I’m a laptop repair tech and I know how to fix laptops, but I always buy extended warranty for my personal computers and I will in the future.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I am considering the Toshiba Satellite A215-S4757. It sounds fantastic but I have read some really bad things about Toshiba’s service. Please give me feedback as you really know Toshiba. Read about “hot pixels” spots on the screen that bother the consumer but toshiba says it’s not bad enough to be fixed under the warranty
Thanks,
squir
July 4th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
i recently put xp pro on my a25-5207. almost everything works fine with a couple of exceptions. first the front audio control buttons dont work and the s video out dont work either. it seems like its almost a driver issue or something. i go to properties of the video and go to advanced and see where i can pick tv but it wont let me select it and as far as the front buttons go they dont do anything. please let me know if you have any ideas. thanks blake
June 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I have a A25-S207. it doesn’t turn on… nothing happens when I push the turn-on button. Should I try replacing the Power Jack… and how do you get it replaced?
I already bought the power jack, but need directions.
I only get to the part where you remove the keyboard…
Thanks!
http://i17.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/f0/3a/ac_1_b.JPG
May 16th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
“First of all make sure the lid close switch is not stuck inside the case” I don’t quite understand what your referring to.. can u help me out? lol
I am having the same problem. intermitent shaking. a majority of the time it will be just fine. it also starts with a red hue, but slowly fades away.
Has anyone tried replacing the bulb? and where do i get one?
May 7th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Rory,
First of all make sure the lid close switch is not stuck inside the case. When it gets stuck it cuts off power from the backlight lamp and it stops working.
If a new inverter board didn’t fix the problem then probably something is wrong with the backlight lamp. Here you’ll find an example for replacing the backlight bulb.
May 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
My Toshiba Satellite is about 3 yrs old – no problems until a week ago when the screen start shaking and then went really dark. With a little research on the web, I thought it was the inverter. I ordered a brand new FL Inverter & replaced it tonight. I was very careful to make sure all connections were clean & tight. After re-assembling, my screen is still dark. Please Help! Is their a bulb I need to replace? If so, where (how) do I find it?
Thanks in advance for help!