Satellite T130 and Satellite Pro T130:
Risk of overheating

Issue:

Certain Satellite T130 and Satellite Pro T130 laptop computers have been manufactured with a potentially faulty DC-In harness. The defective harness may in some circumstances overheat to the point of melting the computer's base at the location where the AC adaptor plugs into the unit. To date there have been no reports of injury but the temperature is sufficient to pose a burn hazard if specific parts of the DC-In jack or plug are touched while they are overheating.

Potentially Affected Laptop Computers:

A customer can identify whether his/her computer falls within the range of potentially affected machines by checking the first six digits of the model number. This number can be found on the back side of the computer on the product label (see below). Model numbers starting PST3AE or PST3BE could potentially be affected. If you have a Satellite T130 or Satellite Pro T130 and the model number does not start with PST3AE or PST3BE, then your laptop computer is definitely not affected by this issue.

Please note that this instruction is only valid if your computer has been brought into circulation through Toshiba Europe GmbH within the EMEA region. This is indicated by the mentioning of Toshiba Europe GmbH on the product label (see below). If you own a model that does not mention Toshiba Europe GmbH on the product label, please check your local Toshiba website for further information whether your model may be affected.

What to do if your model is potentially affected:

Toshiba is releasing BIOS revision 2.70 which will prevent the computer from overheating in this manner. Once you have downloaded and activated the BIOS revision, the unit will automatically detect any overheating in the DC-In jack and on detection will automatically disable the DC-In function. This will prevent any overheating and will protect you from any injury and your computer from damage. A message will also be displayed with instructions of how to arrange for the repair of your laptop computer.

Toshiba strongly recommends that you update your system BIOS to version 2.70 or greater as soon as possible.

Resolution:

The BIOS can be downloaded on the BIOS download page:
BIOS download page

To assist you with your BIOS update, please read "How to check the BIOS version" and "How to update the BIOS on Toshiba notebooks" documents:
How to check the BIOS version
How to update the BIOS on your Toshiba laptop computer

Once the BIOS has been installed, as long as no error message is shown, your machine is safe to use and no further action is required.

If at some point the harness failure is detected while the system is operating, you will receive a system message indicating that the failure has occurred and that external power has been disabled. You may continue to use the system without risk of overheating using the remaining battery charge.

Please note it will not be possible to recharge the battery within the system until the notebook has been repaired. Toshiba therefore recommends that you create regular backups of your data and in the event of this harness failure immediately save any data on your system.

You will then need to contact your nearest Toshiba service provider to arrange for a repair of your PC.

Please click here to search for a Toshiba Authorized Service Provider near you for further assistance.