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toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx [2021-08-31 03:46]
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! 
  
 +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]]
 +
 +Another option is to purchase an XT-IDE adapter for the Toshiba proprietary expansion slot. There is a 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)
 +
 +==== 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 BIOS ROM chip drop-in replacement. Please see section **Programmed ​BIOS ROM chips** for more information how to buy.+    - Buy a BIOS ROM chip drop-in replacement. Please see my [[#​Replacement ​BIOS ROM chips]] section ​for more information how to buy.
     - Buy a compatible Conner hard-disk. The compatible part numbers are listed above.     - Buy a compatible Conner hard-disk. The compatible part numbers are listed above.
-  - If you have 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 ones. The tutorial, associated ROM images and HDD overlay programs are in the [[Files and Resources]] page.+  - 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 ones. The tutorial, associated ROM images and HDD overlay programs are in the [[Files and Resources]] page.
   - 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"​. ​   - 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"​. ​
  
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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, 003H 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 ===== 
-I have started selling BIOS ROM chips that have the 003C BIOS with an updated VGA BIOS, which call the 003CH Hybrid BIOS. This will essentially act as 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 routeFor exampleshipping to France costs $45Please visit the bottom of [[:​toshiba_t-series_support|the main support ​page]] ​for contact information+{{ :​toshiba_t-series_support:​images:​t3200sx-bios-chips.jpg?​400|}} 
 +I 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 am selling is the the 003CH Hybrid BIOS, which is a combination of the 003C BIOS with the faster VGA BIOS of 003IThe hybrid BIOS will essentially act as an older BIOS and allow you to boot any hard disk. With this BIOS, all 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 wishBoth chips are a drop-in replacement for the old BIOS chipand 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 =====
toshiba_t-series_support/toshiba_t3200sx.1630381567.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021-08-31 03:46 by omolini