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toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx [2021-08-31 03:13]
omolini
toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx [2023-08-31 17:36] (current)
omolini
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-~~NOTOC~~ 
 | [[:Toshiba T-series Support|Home]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​System Articles]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​Files and Resources]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​FAQ]] | [[:Contact Information|Contact]] | | [[:Toshiba T-series Support|Home]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​System Articles]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​Files and Resources]] | [[:​toshiba_t-series_support:​FAQ]] | [[:Contact Information|Contact]] |
 [[Toshiba T3100|T3100]] | [[Toshiba T3100e|T3100e]] | [[Toshiba T3100SX|T3100SX]] | [[Toshiba T3200|T3200]] | [[Toshiba T3200SX|T3200SX]] | [[Toshiba T3200SXC|T3200SXC]] | [[Toshiba T5200|T5200]] | [[Toshiba T5200C|T5200C]] [[Toshiba T3100|T3100]] | [[Toshiba T3100e|T3100e]] | [[Toshiba T3100SX|T3100SX]] | [[Toshiba T3200|T3200]] | [[Toshiba T3200SX|T3200SX]] | [[Toshiba T3200SXC|T3200SXC]] | [[Toshiba T5200|T5200]] | [[Toshiba T5200C|T5200C]]
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 I'm missing the part number of the 80 MB Conner hard disk. If you know it, please let me know!  I'm missing the part number of the 80 MB Conner hard disk. If you know it, please let me know! 
  
-If your computer has the older BIOS (003C and older)it will ignore the part number and will let you boot from any IDE drive as long as you manually override ​the BIOS settings in software using ANYDRIVE ​or any other BIOS overlay software, like EZ-Drive. However, if you have a newer BIOS, the computer refuse ​to boot from the drive unless it's made by Conner (it's IDE identifier string must start with the letters "​CP"​).+This system can be expanded with an 8-bit and 16-bit ISA expansion cards. Hence, you can purchase an XT-IDE adapter to add a hard drive, such as the XT-CF-MINI ​or XT-CF-Lite card to add a Compact Flash card as a hard drive. ​They usually run for $40-$60. You can find them on eBay. Check out [[http://​www.malinov.com/​Home/​sergeys-projects/​xt-cf-lite]] and [[https://​shop.bluelavasystems.com/​products/​xt-cf-mini-bootable-8-bit-isa-cf-card-interface-xt-ide]]
  
-You can make your own BIOS chip and replace ​the problematic one by using HighTreason'​s excellent tutorial how to program a new BIOS chip onto a replacement EPROM chipProgramming ​compatible BIOS will allow you to boot with any hard diskTo see the tutorial and download ​the ROM images, please see [[Files and Resources]].+Another option is to purchase an XT-IDE adapter for the Toshiba proprietary expansion slotThere is maker on eBay that sells Toshiba type expansion cards with XT-IDE to allow many different types of IDE and CF cards to be used on the portable computer 
 +Please ​see the following link for the sales article. ​[[https://​ebay.us/​GO0Sk2|3inONEder:​ Toshiba Portables]] (affiliate link)
  
-If you would prefer me to program a compatible BIOS ROM chip for you, I've started ​to sell these! ​Please see the Q&A section at the bottom ​for more information about sale of these custom BIOS chips.+==== Audio and ethernet ==== 
 +The same adapter that allows ​you to use the Toshiba proprietary slot connector ​for XT-IDE and custom hard disks also optionally allows ​to add audio (Adlib) and ethernet support (partially NE2000 compatible).  
 +Please see the following link for the item page. [[https://​ebay.us/​GO0Sk2|3inONEder:​ Toshiba Portables]] (affiliate link) 
  
 ==== CPU upgrades and overclocking ==== ==== CPU upgrades and overclocking ====
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 Unless you have the Toshiba external floppy – always set this to PRN. ((Source: http://​baudband.net/?​page_id=88)) Unless you have the Toshiba external floppy – always set this to PRN. ((Source: http://​baudband.net/?​page_id=88))
 +
 +**Q: Can't boot from floppy, floppy not detected, or can't be read**\\ ​
 +**A:** Make sure the PRN-A-B switch is set to PRN (see above question about PRN-A-B switch. ​
  
 **Q: My computer gives me a configuration error when I turn it on**\\ **Q: My computer gives me a configuration error when I turn it on**\\
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   - If the computer has the **older BIOS** such as the **003C**, the computer should ignore the part number and will attempt to boot the hard disk regardless, even with incorrect settings. However, since the settings are fixed, you can not use more than the amount of space specified in the BIOS, which is only 40 MB. To override the BIOS limitation and use more space on the disk, so you will need to manually correct the settings on boot using a drive overlay software which is installed on the hard disk. I have tested a program called Anydrive, and I believe Western Digital'​s EZ-Drive version 9.03W will work as well. Both programs can be found in the files section. Anydrive overrides the BIOS settings so you can use any size hard disk (or CF memory card with CF to IDE adapter) up to 504 MB. With EZ-Drive you can potentially use larger disks, but run the risk of disk file corruption above 4 GB.    - If the computer has the **older BIOS** such as the **003C**, the computer should ignore the part number and will attempt to boot the hard disk regardless, even with incorrect settings. However, since the settings are fixed, you can not use more than the amount of space specified in the BIOS, which is only 40 MB. To override the BIOS limitation and use more space on the disk, so you will need to manually correct the settings on boot using a drive overlay software which is installed on the hard disk. I have tested a program called Anydrive, and I believe Western Digital'​s EZ-Drive version 9.03W will work as well. Both programs can be found in the files section. Anydrive overrides the BIOS settings so you can use any size hard disk (or CF memory card with CF to IDE adapter) up to 504 MB. With EZ-Drive you can potentially use larger disks, but run the risk of disk file corruption above 4 GB. 
   - If you have the **newer BIOS**, you can do the following: ​   - If you have the **newer BIOS**, you can do the following: ​
-    - Buy a fixed BIOS ROM chip drop-in replacement. I've started selling programmed ROM chips that have the 003C BIOS with an updated VGA BIOS, which I call the 003CH Hybrid BIOS. This will essentially act as a older BIOS and allow you to use any hard disk. BIOS chip and labor is $25 + shipping. Shipping inside USA is $15. Shipping outside United States is a bit costly, but remains an option if you would like to go that route. For example, shipping to France costs $45. Please ​visit the bottom of [[:​toshiba_t-series_support|the main support page]] for contact ​information.  +    - Buy a BIOS ROM chip drop-in replacement. Please ​see my [[#​Replacement BIOS ROM chips]] section ​for more information ​how to buy
-    - Buy a Conner hard-disk. The part number must start with the letters '​CP',​ which many early Conners had this part number (pre-120MB models at least that I know of). Then use ANYDRIVE to circumvent the BIOS hard-coded drive size parameters if needed+    - Buy a compatible ​Conner hard-disk. The compatible ​part numbers are listed above
-  - If you have a PROM programmer, ​flash a BIOS chip with the 3CH BIOS found in the files-section, and use ANYDRIVE ​to circumvent any size limitationsThere is a well written BIOS re-flashing guide in the files page in the section labeled Documentation.  +  - If you have an EEPROM ​programmer, ​such as the Minipro TL866, you can make your own BIOS chip and replace ​the problematic one by using HighTreason'​s excellent tutorial. Programming a compatible ​BIOS will allow you to boot with any hard disk, and then simply install a hard disk overlay program ​to override the drive parameters with correct onesThe tutorial, associated ROM images and HDD overlay programs are in the [[Files and Resources]] ​page. 
-  - You also can buy an XT-IDE adapter, such as the XT-CF-lite from Lo-Tech. TexElec carries these in stock in the US. This will bypass the built-in IDE controller completely and replace it with a CF card.+  - You can also buy an XT-IDE adapter, such as the XT-CF-lite from Lo-Tech. TexElec carries these in stock in the US. This will bypass the built-in IDE controller completely and replace it with a CF card. You can then set your BIOS to "No drive"
  
 Note: If you plan to use a drive other than what was supplied with your computer, you must use a BIOS HDD overlay software to avoid data corruption. Note: If you plan to use a drive other than what was supplied with your computer, you must use a BIOS HDD overlay software to avoid data corruption.
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 **Q: How do I check the BIOS version? **\\ **Q: How do I check the BIOS version? **\\
-**A:** You need to open the portable computer. Remove the four screws from the bottom front of the laptop. Open the screen lid. The keyboard should now lift up starting from the front. You may need to pry the keyboard a little. Once the keyboard is off, remove two screws at the rear of the EM shield between the keyboard and the motherboard. Remove the EM shield. You will see three chips. The one at the bottom right corner is the BIOS chip. So far I've seen 003C, 003E, 003F and 003I out in the wild. If you have a different BIOS version, please take a picture of it and send it over! If you have the capability to read the BIOS chip, I would appreciate a BIOS image. ​I will gladly host it on this site.+**A:** You need to open the portable computer. Remove the four screws from the bottom front of the laptop. Open the screen lid. The keyboard should now lift up starting from the front. You may need to pry the keyboard a little. Once the keyboard is off, remove two screws at the rear of the EM shield between the keyboard and the motherboard. Remove the EM shield. You will see three chips. The one at the bottom right corner is the BIOS chip. So far I've seen 003C, 003E, 003F, 003H and 003I out in the wild. If you have a different BIOS version, please take a picture of it and send a BIOS dump over! I will gladly host it on this site.
  
 **Q: I've opened the laptop, but I cannot move the flat panel display out of the way **\\ **Q: I've opened the laptop, but I cannot move the flat panel display out of the way **\\
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 **A:** This could be caused by many things, but the most common issue is that the laptop lid open/close switch is just stuck in the on position. The switch, which is located under the cover, next to the floppy drive uses a rather low-quality plastic piece that latched with the screen hinge and is designed to detect when the lid is closed, and will cut the power to the display accordingly. It engages whenever the lid is closed, and since it is near the power supply, a plastic piece inside the switch may slowly deform over time and may get stuck inside the switch. The symptom you will see is a screen that will never seem to turn on when you open the lid, or will have a noisy picture, due to the switch stuck half-on. If you cannot repair the switch manually, the easiest workaround is to just disable it by removing the plastic piece entirely. This will make the screen then stay on regardless if the screen lid is open. Please see the gallery section for an image of the switch. **A:** This could be caused by many things, but the most common issue is that the laptop lid open/close switch is just stuck in the on position. The switch, which is located under the cover, next to the floppy drive uses a rather low-quality plastic piece that latched with the screen hinge and is designed to detect when the lid is closed, and will cut the power to the display accordingly. It engages whenever the lid is closed, and since it is near the power supply, a plastic piece inside the switch may slowly deform over time and may get stuck inside the switch. The symptom you will see is a screen that will never seem to turn on when you open the lid, or will have a noisy picture, due to the switch stuck half-on. If you cannot repair the switch manually, the easiest workaround is to just disable it by removing the plastic piece entirely. This will make the screen then stay on regardless if the screen lid is open. Please see the gallery section for an image of the switch.
  
-===== Programmed ​BIOS ROM chips ===== +===== Replacement ​BIOS ROM chips ===== 
-If you do not have a EPROM programmer, ​sell compatible hybrid ​003CH ROM chips for the T3200SX which will allow any hard disk installationIf you are interested, I can program ​a ROM chip and send it to you for a nominal fee [[https://​rover.ebay.com/​rover/​1/​711-53200-19255-0/​1?​mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FToshiba-T3200SX-BIOS-updated-ROM-works-with-ANY-IDE-CF-Hard-Disk%2F333670892471%3Fhash%3Ditem4db055c3b7%3Ag%3A0vAAAOSwndFduLpQ&​campid=5338306954&​toolid=10001&​customid=|Please follow this link to buy]].+{{ :​toshiba_t-series_support:​images:​t3200sx-bios-chips.jpg?​400|}} 
 +have started selling replacement ​003CH BIOS ROM chips for the T3200SX. If you're currently in need of upgrading your BIOS in order to install a different hard disk, you can use my BIOS chip to get around any limitations you may have with your current BIOS. The BIOS that I am selling is the the 003CH Hybrid BIOS, which is a combination of the 003C BIOS with the faster VGA BIOS of 003I. The hybrid BIOS will essentially act as an older BIOS and allow you to boot any hard disk. With this BIOSall you need is a disk overlay program to correct the hard drive parameters. ​I can also program ​an XT-IDE enabled BIOS chip for you if you wish. Both chips are drop-in replacement for the old BIOS chip, and should work great in any T3200SX system 
 + 
 +For more information, ​[[:toshiba_t-series_support:​bios_rom_chips|visit my BIOS ROM chips page]]. 
 + 
 +---- 
  
 ===== Files ===== ===== Files =====
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 | {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​HDDID.EXE|HDDID.EXE}} ​      | 1.6 KB  | Identifies parameters of your IDE HDD            | | {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​HDDID.EXE|HDDID.EXE}} ​      | 1.6 KB  | Identifies parameters of your IDE HDD            |
 | {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​REBOOT.ZIP|REBOOT.ZIP}} ​    | 243 B   | Performs cold boot with CTRL+ALT+DEL. ​           | | {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​REBOOT.ZIP|REBOOT.ZIP}} ​    | 243 B   | Performs cold boot with CTRL+ALT+DEL. ​           |
-| {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​ANYDRIVE.ZIP|ANYDRIVE.ZIP}} | 13 KB   | This program overrides your BIOS HDD parameters so you can utilize up to 504 MB of a hard disk. It installs within the hard-drive'​s master boot record (MBR). \\ Due to its very small footprint, this is recommended for Toshiba portables. To install, make a bootable floppy with AnyDrive, FDISK and FORMAT on it. Boot the floppy, install AnyDrive on your HDD, then boot from the HDD to activate Anydrive, but choose floppy boot once it prompts. Then partition with FDISK and run FORMAT to format new partitions. If you have a hard-drive that is larger than 512 MB, you can install AnyDrive by running the command **"​ANYDRIVE 0 1023 16 63"**. This will utilize the first 512 megabytes on the disk. Please note that viruses may overwrite Anydrive in the MBR, so keep your favorite virus scanner and Anydrive handy on a bootable floppy. The reason you can only utilize 512 MB is because of the limitations in the BIOS CHS addressing scheme (1023 cyls, 16 heads, 63 sectors). For more information,​ see the included text file. |+| {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​ANYDRIVE.ZIP|ANYDRIVE.ZIP}} | 13 KB   ​| ​**AnyDrive**. ​This program overrides your BIOS HDD parameters so you can utilize up to 504 MB of a hard disk. It installs within the hard-drive'​s master boot record (MBR). \\ Due to its very small footprint, this is recommended for Toshiba portables. To install, make a bootable floppy with AnyDrive, FDISK and FORMAT on it. Boot the floppy, install AnyDrive on your HDD, then boot from the HDD to activate Anydrive, but choose floppy boot once it prompts. Then partition with FDISK and run FORMAT to format new partitions. If you have a hard-drive that is larger than 512 MB, you can install AnyDrive by running the command **"​ANYDRIVE 0 1023 16 63"**. This will utilize the first 512 megabytes on the disk. Please note that viruses may overwrite Anydrive in the MBR, so keep your favorite virus scanner and Anydrive handy on a bootable floppy. The reason you can only utilize 512 MB is because of the limitations in the BIOS CHS addressing scheme (1023 cyls, 16 heads, 63 sectors). For more information,​ see the included text file. 
 +| {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​EZDRIVE9.ZIP|EZDRIVE9.ZIP}} | 423 KB  | **EZ-Drive 9.03W**. This program overrides your BIOS HDD parameters so you can utilize up to a 8 GB hard disk. It installs within the hard-drive'​s master boot record (MBR). Requires 4 MB RAM to run.  ​|
 |                            [[Files and Resources|View more files on this support site]] ​              ||| |                            [[Files and Resources|View more files on this support site]] ​              |||
  
toshiba_t-series_support/toshiba_t3200sx.1630379615.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021-08-31 03:13 by omolini