UPDATE 11/15/2013: After about a week of blank screen-delayed logons, the Toshiba is now working right. I’m not sure precisely what has happened — whether it was a change in the system’s Power Plan, or recent Windows Updates from Microsoft — but I do see a couple of changes. First, when I open the laptop’s lid after shutdown, the computer does not immediately start; I must press the power button to start it. As I said, this is following a complete shutdown, not sleep or hibernation. Second, once the power button is pressed the machine starts up, runs its POST, and boots windows all in less than one minute flat! No more booting to a blank screen and waiting 20 to 45 minutes for the computer to awaken from its darkness. Between Windows 8/8.1’s inherent boot speed and (especially) the solid-state drive (SSD) I installed, it’s nice to have the laptop working to something far better than its factory-installed Windows Vista experience! I don’t know what finally resolved the blank screen issue but I’m glad things are better now.
UPDATE 11/5/2013: The notebook booted up this morning with blank display! Toshiba’s splash screen came up, followed by the Windows 8 “Window”, then nothing but a mouse pointer when the mouse is moved! Something’s afoot and I’m checking into it. Frustratingly, Windows 8/8.1 apparently cannot be started in Safe Mode with a key combination (like F8 or Shift) unless Windows starts and presents its GUI — not much help if it’s the video driver that may be at issue!
A little later… I let the computer sit for a long time while I did other things, the screen still black with only the mouse pointer showing. I got something out of a desk drawer, closed the drawer a little hard (accident, not frustration) and {poof} back came the pretty Windows 8.1 lock screen (shown above)! Just … plain … weird! I did learn something not very comforting about Windows 8 and Safe Mode, however, so I guess it’s all good; that is, after all, why I installed Win8 on this old Toshiba.
Wednesday … The screen was black again today when starting the computer. I had a thought, however, and with the computer shut down, I unplugged the AC adapter and pressed the notebook’s On/Off switch. The computer started right up and presented the normal Windows startup screen. I logged on without incident, plugged the AC back in, and am using the machine right now! Very odd, indeed.
Ever since I upgraded my good old Toshiba Satellite A215 to Windows 8, one thing has really bothered me (besides Windows 8) … the notebook’s display was downgraded. The video had lost resolution of detail, was “stretched” so that on-screen images were slightly flattened, and there were no better screen settings to select. Windows had identified the monitor as Generic PnP and installed its “Basic” video driver. So today, as part of my learning Windows 8 (now 8.1) technical operations, I made fixing the display my goal. I did a lot of Googling and a few abortive attempts at new driver installation. Finally, I came across this article on WindowsForum.com (thank you “Medico”), followed the link as indicated, and downloaded the driver. Hallelujah! The moment installation completed, the video was as good as I remembered, which was very good, indeed! I actually like looking at the Toshiba’s display again as I explore the new Windows. By the way, my old Satellite’s display is not touch-sensitive so I’m getting the painful Windows 8 desktop user experience. — 11/4/2013
PhotonStopper 