Toshiba Satellite 5205. How to remove and replace laptop DVD/CD-ROM drive.
You can use the Toshiba Satellite 5205 guide for removing and replacing the DVD/CD-ROM drive or the keyboard. On this model you have to remove the keyboard in order to remove and replace the DVD/CD-ROM drive because the optical drive securing screw is located under the keyboard. Always start laptop disassembly with removing the battery or you can damage the system board if you accidentally touch it with a screwdriver and shorten traces. Removing the keyboard strip is not very difficult, use your fingers to release the plastic latches. If you want to replace the keyboard, do not forget to unlock the connector on the system boar before you pull the cable.
Need spare parts for your laptop? Search here by the laptop model and part name or number.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:28 am
I have a toshiba pro A10 and need to boot from cd rom, I have tried the bios to boot from cd rom and it still boots from the hard drive. Any ideas?
Regards
Alan
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
thanks, just got mine back in action.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Booting to Windows is not possible. I will double-check the BIOS settings, but F12 doesn’t do anything for me… it just boots the hard drive. “C” does ABSOLUTELY nothing.
rageagainstcomputer@yahoo.com
September 17th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Brian C,
I believe I had a similar situation in the past but it was a long time ago and I don’t remember exactly what I did, but here’s my guess.
I think you have to change boot order in the BIOS and right now the HDD is the first boot device. You can test it by removing the HDD and booting from the CD without HDD installed. Can you boot from the CD when the hard drive is removed?
I believe you cannot access and configure the BIOS on this model normal way (by pressing Esc or F1 or F2 etc…) on startup. I think you can change the BIOS settings through the Toshiba utility in Windows. Boot into Windows (if you can) and find this utility. Access the BIOS and set the CD/DVD drive as first device in the boot order. After that you should be able to start from the CD and reimage the hard drive.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Still dealing with continued problems… I was curious if someone could make an image of the hard drive just after a rebuild using Norton Ghost and burn the result onto a DVD or two? I can’t rebuild the laptop hard drive with the restore DVD. I don’t know why, but it just doesn’t want to do it. I can afford to comp you the cost of the media and postage. 5205-S705. Please help.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
So I have a Satellite 5205-S705 that I am repairing. I am trying to utilize the restore DVD. I have been trying to boot to that disc, but it will not boot at all.
I have tried the C key.
I have tried F12 to switch to a different source.
Nothing works!
All parts work independently from the computer.
Any ideas?
Should I have created a hybrid restore disc that will boot to DOS? Or have the hard drive do that?
September 12th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Hey there, I have a Satellite 5205-S503 and the port where you plug the ethernet cable in is not working. When I try to plug the cable in the port goes inside of the laptop. I am not sure if the port is not working, or just loose inside the case. I have no idea how to take this apart, or find a new part if that is the case. Any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks.
September 10th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
for Toshiba Satellite 5205 How to clean heatsink and CPU fans to fix overheating ?
September 6th, 2007 at 6:27 am
Did you do the function button and F6/f7 to increase decrease lamp? It is a toshiba brightness function.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Well I got some used parts off e-bay. A backlight inverter and a new LCD panel along with a new lid (because mine was scratched up pretty bad).
I put everyrthing togeather and the backlight still won’t turn on. The LCD had a faint image so I know tha LCD is fine, but I don’t know if my inverter or the new LCD panel is bad.
I tried to use both inverters (my old one and the e-bay purchase) but still no backlight.
Does anyone know what the output voltage for the inverter should be? I want to test this with a volt meeter to rule out the iverter.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:03 am
dael,
Nope, they will not work. M35 and 5205 hinges are different.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Did someone say the M35 hinges work in the 5205 series?
August 25th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I finally resolved my vertical line problem to the machine getting too hot. The heat was due to dust buildup inside causing overheating.
It turns out dust will help fool the temperature sensor – so the fan wasn’t coming on or to full speed!
I’ve never cleaned mine inside via disassembly, but occasionally I’ll mouth the back vent and blow hard to clear most of the dust away. That keeps it running cool.
I use speedfan to monitor temperatures.
But more than likely you don’t need new video – just to dust out the inside so it can run cooler. Consider the vertical lines a past-due dusting reminder.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Dan they now have HDTV tuners USB for $60 at Radio Shack with rebate. why worry about a tuner? use the bay for and extra drive or something
August 19th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Dael, keep in mind that the 5200 is essentially the same computer (but for the Euro and Middle East market). I searched Ebay for “Toshiba 5200″ and got some good results with parts. Most 5205 owners are not aware of inter-compatibility of components, and these computers are rare hens in the US. The result is a very inexpensive buy.
Now to find a 2.4 ghz processor, new keyboard, the tuner modual and then I’ll worry about ordering XP-Mrdia Center backup CDs from Toshiba.
If anyone has these parts for sale, let me know.
On a side note, I was playing around with my new Qosmio G45. Except for graphics, the performance is almost identical. I belive this will change with an upgrade to Vista 64 bit and apps to match, but it was interesting to see my new laptop grind away on photo editing applications just the same way my 5205 had.
I guess asside from the convergance factor (I got it for the HD-dvd burner, larger screen and HDTV capabilities), there is little reason to get a new laptop these days.
My wife better be pleased with all the work I’m putting into this to get her a good machine.
August 19th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
… fron Dan Leavitt…
“I bought a S705 case for the product key and serial numbers, but my S703 case is in much better condition and the motherboard and processor are from the 703 (the only difference between the two models is the 705 included a TV tuner, a 2.4 GHZ P4 and Media Center instead of a 2.0 GHZ XP)?”
yes dan I have a 705 and that is what I got, tv card and a 2.4 gig proc.. The video is 64meg nvidia Force FX Go5600, media center was updated 2x’s since I bought it and I think the hardware is only good to the 2004MCE.
I cannot download Media Player 11 because of the lack of update so I have hit a dead end there.
If you have a spare hinge let me know. $7 was a steal from what I am finding so far.
August 19th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Dan Leavitt,
To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t required any BIOS identification and you can use S705 restore for S703 laptop. I believe the set of restore CDs for Satellite 5205 will for for any other flavor of 5205, so you shouldn’t have any problem.
August 19th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Now before I go through the troubble of ordering the S705 Media Center restor CDs, does anyone know if it requires a BIOS from an S705 for identification?
I bought a S705 case for the product key and serial numbers, but my S703 case is in much better condition and the motherboard and processor are from the 703 (the only difference between the two models is the 705 included a TV tuner, a 2.4 GHZ P4 and Media Center instead of a 2.0 GHZ XP)?
This time arround I will be shooting pictures of the upgrades which should help others.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
dael,
You can find new hinges for a Satellite 5205-S705 by the following part numbers:
Left hinge: P000353180
Right hinge: P000353190
Google for the part number and you’ll find it soon. Good luck!
August 18th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Billy,
Restore DVDs are not interchangeable. You’ll have to find a restore DVD for Satellites M35X to make it work on M35X.
@dael
you can use the restore DVD to reimage the hard drive back to factory defaults. The restore process erases everything from the hard drive and loads fresh OS, the way you bought the laptop.
August 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Brian restore DVD would be nice what does it do exactly?
August 18th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Dan Leavitt,
Good to see you active here. I have a 5205-
s705 and as you know it the hinge
(left) just gave out…after reading your article… been looking online for one/pair have you seen any more hinges about? Can you post a link or phone number?
Thanks, YOu know this model is going by the way but I have a 2.4 gig processor…..and that is still not too shabby for a laptop.
Has anyone ever put more than a gig of memory in their 5200 series?
August 18th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Isaak, you can replace the processor. You need to remove the palmrest section (upper body casing). I do not belive you need to remove the screen.
The fan/heatsink/subwoofer will need to be removed, then turn the screw next to the processor to release the pins. It pulls up like a desktop processor.
UPDATE: don’t bother trying to replace the bulb on the LCD panel. It is too tightly packed into the other components. I was unable to get everythig to fit back togeather. So I am ordering a new LCD panel.
Upgrades so far:
New motherboard (2005)
New battery (2007)
New AC adapter(2007)
New HDD (2006)
2nd HDD (2006)
Max memory upgrade (2005)
On tap:
New LCD
TV tuner
Windows XP Media Center
New 200 gig HDD
Wish me luck!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
hi guys i am hardware expart based on desktop computers but in laptop iam not good iam good only on desktop i read all instruction on how replace hardware on laptop but can i replace processor of laptop?i need to know this if anyone know this i need help you can contact me through my email adress which is malyambare@yahoo.com
thanks
isaack malyambare
August 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Brian,
Do you know if that Restore DVD can be used for M35x-S309 models? If so, I would like a copy of that restore DVD.
Thanks,
Billy
July 30th, 2007 at 6:39 am
Did he ever do this???
31
Kylw Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 8:02 am
Hmmmm….tempting lol. I will give it a shot…hopefully they take returns lol. Ill get it and get back to you.
July 29th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Ok some new info for those that are interested. I own a 5205-703 so all info I have will be based on that model.
Brake hinges… I found mine on e-bay for $7 shipped. These came off a parted out laptop from Europ (a 5200 series, which uses the same case) Sometimes you can get a much better deal on purchasing parts for lesser known laptops.
The brake hinges was a 3 hour transplant. The entire laptop must be taken apart, including all external screws and three internal screw located at the DVD player, the center of the main board, and one on the upper left.
The LCD needed the side screw removed as well as the ones on the hinge.
I decided to clean my laptop at the same time. Its amazing how much dust can acumulate over time. I actually had dust bunnies in the thing! I used lopts of electronics parts cleaners, Q-tips and caned air.
About a month after replacing teh brake hinges, my cpu fan started making that screaching noise mentioned before. This was due to the solid bearing on the fan motor running dry. You need to remove the CPU fan, then take the aluminum cover plate off of it. The plate is held on by three tabs. These must be bent away. Wash the cover plate and remove the fan. The fan has no electronic parts, nust the blades, a magnetic ring and the solid bearing. Wash this with electronic parts cleaner and a toothbrush. Let dry. Clean the motorring bearing with electronic parts cleaner and a Q-tip.
After everything is dry, apply some silicon/teflon grease to the bearing and bearing shaft on the fan. Put everything back togeather and you should no longer have any loud fan issues.
My backlight finally blew (it was glowing pink before I ran into hinge problems). This should be an easy fix after all teh other repairs I have made to this thing.
While I’m at it I think I will add a new 100GB 2nd hard drive and a faster processor If I can find one (I think the 2.4GHZ P4 ran on the same bus speed as the 2.0, but I’m not sure).
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:18 am
I take that back… Quite possibly follow the same directions for the 5105 to disassemble… Because the computer industry doesn’t change much in 1 year (besides processors), the housings and such could very much be the same. Let us know what you find out.
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:14 am
The video is not replaceable. If you can find another model with a broken screen that they are getting rid of… go for it. Unfortunately the video is not replaceable. There may be other underlying problems that are plaguing your machine.
Anyone that has replaced their DVD drive out been able to use the bezel of the old drive to put on a new drive? I am refurbishing a friend’s laptop to rebuild it completely.
After all this is done, if ANYONE needs a replacement copy of the restore DVD, let me know. Because it is no longer available from the manufacturer, might as well everyone help out!
July 5th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Hi Ben,
I have the same problem with my Toshiba 5205-S703 laptop. I am getting vertical lines on the display. This is present on both my laptop display and also any external monitors I hook it up to. Like you I am suspecting a video card problem of some sort. My question is the same as yours. Is it possible to fix the video board problem to alliviate the vertical lines porblem? Or is my laptop toast and I’ll have to replace it? I hope very much someone can shed alittle light on repairing this unit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please Help.
Regards,
Will
Ben Says:
June 25th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Hey, I was wondering if its possible to replace the video card on this model? I’m getting the nasty red vertical lines after years of trusty service.
I tried using an external vga monitor and it does the same thing, so I’m guessing its the card. I’ve even de-installed and re-installed the video drivers many times to no avail.
Though heavy I kind of love this machine. Is it salvageable?