Its been about 3+ months that I've had my Toshiba L25-S119 laptop.  About a week ago, I noticed it was no longer charging itself.  The battery on the thing lasts only about an hour so I urgently backed up the most immediate documents on a USB stick and shut it off.  After trying various outlets, removing the battery, etc., I figured out it was most likely the AC adaptor.  So I called up Toshiba tech support.  The first two times I got a busy signal.  A busy signal!  On the 1-800 number for the Toshiba support line!  Had they put down a bad number all over their website?  After swallowing the sinking feeling, I got lucky and got ahold of the menu on the third try. 

At this point, I have to admit I was pleased with how quickly I got to an actual person.  I described the problem and what I thought was the most likely cause.  The person was quick in agreeing it was something actually wrong with the physical pieces.  The first thing she wanted me to do was take it to one of their service centers.  I asked if they could just send me a replacement adaptor instead.  She said something like: It'll take about 2 weeks to do that anyway and you might as well have it checked out at a service center.  OK, recap: They gave me a piece that went to hell in less than 4 months, and they are not going to make any haste whatsoever in getting me a replacement part. 

So, I call up the service center guy and before dropping it off, I ask how long he thinks the whole process will take – he starts off by telling me its probably something wrong with my laptop's motherboard (??) and he'll probably need to replace that and so probably like 2 weeks.  WTF??  A couple of days later, my roommate takes me to drop the laptop.  While at the service place, the guy tests the laptop with another AC adaptor, and surprise, it works.  So, he says he'll order an AC adaptor but I have to give him the non-functional one.  I got no use for it so why not?  I ask if I have to come back to pick it up once its ready?  Yes, of course I do.  Can I have Toshiba send me the adaptor directly to me?  Sure, but you have to mail the old adaptor to them yourself if you want that done.   Wow, thanks man, you are really making me feel like this is my fault – and if I want it fixed, I have to do the damn work!  So, I let him do the shipping and agree to pick it up once its available.  The next day he calls to tell me the AC adaptor is backordered and so it will take 2 weeks minimum. 

Ok, recap: I bought a brand new laptop less than 4 months ago.  It's become completely useless within that time.  Toshiba luckily will help me fix the problem but they will take their own sweet time to do it.  Any time and productivity lost while they take their sweet time (oh please god don't let it be more than 2 weeks) is really my own damn fault anyway.

3 Responses to “Toshiba Tech. Support Frustrations”


  1. [...] 6th, 2007 So, ever since the “incident“, I always used to get a shudder everytime I happen to connect the laptop into a power outlet [...]

  2. aony ma Says:

    my 2 month old toshiba a200-ah7 satellite died after 2 months(sept 13/07). toshiba authorized service depot still has it 2 weeks later. system board is on backorder. toshiba direct service line gave me a”"”manager”"” that left me with…”part is not in stock, its on b/o. icannot say when, it could be weeks or months.” yet, i’ve had 3 etas on system board delivery. apparently, depot says a date comes up automatically on their shipping system. toshiba sucks…..bad enough that laptop died after 2 months…worse that there’s nil support. and what takes the cake is a really beligerent and indifferent service “”"”manager”"”"”. toshibas quality all round warranty rating less than zero. may another class action suit put where they belong.

    notes from a past toshiba loyalist…..

  3. SomePeopleCallMeMaurice Says:

    I purchased a Toshiba Satellite A200-AH7 on Sept 5. A month and a half later it is not working. I tried to turn it on one morning and I got the dreaded black screen. I am not impressed with this product to say the least.


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