Although my wife is running Vista, you can tell from the graphic to the left from my Windows XP Pro machine that Windows Update does in fact have the ability to look for updates to hardware components, software, OS updates obviously and even beta software option.

Why in the world wouldn’t Windows Update also see the updates that are available on the Toshiba support website?

I did see a few different updates on the Toshiba website that I think I have seen come across via Windows Update, but the multiple BIOS updates were clearly missing.

Does this functionality fall more into the hands and responsibility of Toshiba to work with Microsoft or vice-versa?

Personally I think Windows Update is a really great feature of the Windows OS. It makes managing the variety of my software packages much easier.

What I really hate is when other companies, like HP, have their own separate update applications that they want you to install and run on your machines. They frequently come with printers and such.

Why don’t they just work with what’s already available and let Microsoft know how and what to look for potential updates?

Post from: EveryJoe

More Integration of Windows Update

I may have a solution for everyone experiencing the random screen blackouts on Toshiba laptops. After seeing this comment by Gwendolyn, I decided to go visit the Toshiba website again and see if there was an available update for my wife’s computer. She’s got a Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437 and there indeed was the update as shown in the graphic above.

There’s a BIOS version update of 1.70 available for her machine with the following feature notes specified:

Version 1.70 – 2008-02-28

• Added support for Windows Vista SP1.
• A change was made to an AMD SB600 power management register.
• A change was made to resolve a very intermittent blank screen issue.
• Added LTN154AT07-T01, LP154WX4-TLC8, B154EW08 V1, and N154I3-L03 display information to the Brightness Table.

I’ve downloaded and installed the update but my wife hasn’t been home tonight, she’s out watching the “Sex and the City” movie with a friend. No guarantees yet, but I really think this should fix the problem. I sure hope it does.

The question is if I’m just lucky or not sure what the definition of “intermittent” actually is. Next is to walk my mom through the BIOS update on her laptop. It may just be easier to drive the half-hour to their house and take care of it myself.

Post from: EveryJoe

Possible Solution for Toshiba Laptop Monitor Blackouts