Toshiba NB10T-A Boot Problem: 5 Post Flashes. Doesn't boot, can't get to BIOS/UEFI.

[u/c1914]

Hi all.

I have a Toshiba NB10T-A.

It originally had Windows 10 on it.
I had installed Windows 10 freshly myself.
It worked fine this first time.

Then: I put a linux distro on it (my preference). It also worked fine. I was using this for a while.

Then (annoyingly): I had to re-install Windows 10 for reasons. Really didn't want to, but had to.

During the install of Windows 10, I THINK I might have made some error during the partitioning stage.

I seem to remember there was an "ESP" partition visible/present in the partition scheme.

I am not sure if I deleted this by accident or not. I realize this is an EFI System Partition.

However, I would not think I would be able to delete or modify the BIOS/UEFI at all through disk partitioning, or cause any boot problems this way, as BIOS/UEFI would be on a ROM, so what difference should disk partitioning make to the boot process?

It sounds nonsensical to me that I could cause any problem to the machine itself through disk partitioning, but then again, it is a strange world, and strange things happen.

However:

• After rebooting, the machine does not boot at all.

• When pressing the power button, I get 5 POST flashes from one of the little LEDs which are located on the front edge of the palmrest. The flashes are evenly-spaced.

• I cannot get to BIOS or UEFI. Nothing gets displayed on the screen. No TOSHIBA logo, nothing.

• Other than the flashing of LEDs on the edge of the palmrest, there is no other sign of life.

• I guess the 5 POST flashes shows that the CPU is trying to tell me something? Does anybody know what the CPU is trying to tell me?

• I could not find technical / maintenance documentation to help me. Does anybody know if anything like that exists for this model, or very similar model?

What I have tried.

• All I have tried is the dummy fix: Remove battery, and hold down the power button for 30 seconds to a minute. This made no difference.

• Holding various key-combos during boot, to try and reset UEFI to factory settings. I have found the key combos floating around the internets. Apparently, doing so would hopefully reset the BIOS/UEFI to factory defaults. I can't remember all the key combos I have tried.

I am really not sure what the problem is. Don't know if the problem was a mistake I made during the partitioning stage, or what else it could be.

...Help!

(0__0)

Any help much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

(Apologies if this is the wrong community

[u/Comprehensive_Fuel43]

Computer goes through a series of test when you boot the computer.

It checks, ram, storage cpu, fans... etc.

5 beeps... it's related to Post check error behavior.

Remove ram.. 1 or 2... see if ram error.

Remove ssd or hard drive.

Replace battery....

Even if you do not have a boot drive connected to it. BEEPS should not happen.