toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx
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toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx [2021-09-01 01:29] omolini [Programmed BIOS ROM chips] |
toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sx [2023-08-31 17:36] (current) omolini |
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| | [[: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 a 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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| **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 ===== |
| - | {{:toshiba_t-series_support:images:t3200sx-bios-chips.jpg?400 |}} | + | {{ :toshiba_t-series_support:images:t3200sx-bios-chips.jpg?400|}} |
| - | I have started selling reprogrammed BIOS ROM chips that have the 003C BIOS with the updated VGA BIOS of 003I, which I call the 003CH Hybrid BIOS. This 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 if you wish. Both chips are a drop-in replacement for the old BIOS chip, and should work great in any T3200SX system. | + | 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 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 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 wish. Both chips are a drop-in replacement for the old BIOS chip, and should work great in any T3200SX system. |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== Pricing ==== | + | |
| - | Parts and labor is $25 + shipping. Shipping inside USA is $15, except Alaska, and US territories, which is $20. Shipping outside United States is costly, but remains an option if you would like to go that route. For example, shipping to France costs $40. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ==== How to change the BIOS chip ==== | + | |
| - | - Close the screen lid. | + | |
| - | - Locate and remove four screws from the bottom front side (user facing side) of the unit. | + | |
| - | - Open the screen lid, and slowly remove the keyboard. Pull the keyboard up, by first loosening up the corners. Be careful when doing this, there is a ribbon cable under the keyboard connecting the keyboard to the motherboard. | + | |
| - | - You will not be able to detach the keyboard ribbon cable from the motherboard yet, because the ESD shield is in the way. You will first need to remove the ESD shield from under the keyboard to access the area where the keyboard ribbon cable detaches from the motherboard. The ESD shield is usually held in place by two screws at the rear corners of the shield. | + | |
| - | - Once the shield is removed, you may pull the tab on the ribbon cable connector, and pull the ribbon cable out. If the tab was opened correctly, you will feel zero resistance when pulling out the ribbon cable. | + | |
| - | - You now have access to the Motherboard and RAM area. The BIOS chip is on the lower right corner and will be labeled 003x, where x is the version of the BIOS. | + | |
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| + | For more information, [[:toshiba_t-series_support:bios_rom_chips|visit my BIOS ROM chips page]]. | ||
| + | ---- | ||
| - | ==== How to buy ==== | ||
| - | To buy, please visit the bottom of [[:toshiba_t-series_support|the main support page]] for contact information. | ||
| ===== Files ===== | ===== Files ===== | ||
toshiba_t-series_support/toshiba_t3200sx.1630459759.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021-09-01 01:29 by omolini
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