Troubleshooting an Old Toshiba Laptop: A Path to Transformation

I recently came across an old Toshiba Satellite A505 laptop and had the bright idea to convert it into a compact server for hosting a few applications. However, I’ve hit a roadblock and could use some guidance.

When I power it on, the sequence starts off promising. The BIOS appears to be initializing: the keyboard lights activate, and the fan whirs to life. Unfortunately, this hopeful moment is short-lived. After a brief flicker of activity, the laptop abruptly shuts down and enters a relentless cycle of rebooting. Strangely, once it’s powered down the first time, I can’t even access the home screen or BIOS anymore.

In an attempt to resolve this, I performed a static drain, but to no avail. Compounding my challenges, I currently lack a battery for the unit and, sadly, the search for a replacement has proven fruitless, particularly since this model isn’t widely available in my region. Given that this laptop dates back to around 2010 or 2011, I can only assume it wasn’t the most prevalent choice here.

I am reaching out for insights into what could be causing these issues. Additionally, I would appreciate pointers toward resources that could help me learn more about diagnosing and repairing this type of hardware.

If you have any suggestions or know of helpful guides, please share your expertise. Your assistance would mean a great deal as I embark on this project!

Watch the video of the laptop’s behavior here.