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toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sxc [2019-03-24 03:16]
omolini [Toshiba T3200SXC]
toshiba_t-series_support:toshiba_t3200sxc [2020-08-15 22:24]
omolini [Utilities]
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 ===== System Expansion ===== ===== System Expansion =====
 ==== Hard disk ==== ==== Hard disk ====
-Toshiba T3200SXC came with either a 40 MB hard drive, or an 120 MB hard drive. The system has a standard IDE interface to connect to the supplied Conner CP hard disk. Most Toshiba T3200SX(C) computers ​certain newer BIOS versions ​are locked to specific hard disk part numbers, so you cannot upgrade it easily. If you try using a different hard disk, the computer will refuse to detect and use the hard disk, unless ​it identifies itself ​with the computer ​with a part number starting with the letters ​“CP” which stands for Conner Peripherals. Older BIOSes will allow you to use any hard drive, but will still use the disk settings for the hard drives that were originally supplied with the system. In this case, you can override the settings ​programmatically, ​with Anydrive, found under [[Files and Resources]].+Toshiba T3200SXC came with either a 40 MB hard drive, or an 120 MB hard drive. The system has a standard IDE interface to connect to the supplied Conner CP hard disk. Most (if not all?Toshiba T3200SXC ​computers are locked to specific hard disk part numbers, so you cannot upgrade it easily. If you try using a different hard disk, the computer will refuse to detect and use the hard disk, unless ​the hard disk identifies itself with a part number starting with “CP” which stands for Conner Peripherals. Older BIOSes will allow you to use any hard drive, but will still use the disk settings for the hard drives that were originally supplied with the system. In this case, you can override the settings with Anydrive, found under [[Files and Resources]].
  
-If you have a BIOS chip that doesn't allow for an upgrade, you can program your own BIOS chip with the ROM files supplied belowor contact me and I can program a ROM chip for you for nominal fee.+have received ​report ​that T3200SX ROMs are not compatible with T3200SXC. I don'​t ​unfortunately carry any T3200SXC ROM dumps that allow the use of any hard diskbut you can use any XT-IDE adapter in this casesuch as the XT-CF-lite from Lo-Tech. TexElec carries these in stock in the US. This card bypasses the built-in IDE controller completely ​and replace it with CF card.
  
 These are the drive configurations supported by all BIOSes: These are the drive configurations supported by all BIOSes:
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 [[https://​rover.ebay.com/​rover/​1/​711-53200-19255-0/​1?​icep_id=114&​ipn=icep&​toolid=20004&​campid=5338306954&​mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_odkw%3D%2528Conner%252C%2BCP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529%26_ftrt%3D901%26_sop%3D1%26_sadis%3D15%26_dmd%3D1%26LH_BIN%3D1%26_osacat%3D0%26_ipg%3D200%26_stpos%3D75010-2109%26_ftrv%3D1%26_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XConner%2B%2528CP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529.TRS0%26_nkw%3DConner%2B%2528CP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529%26_sacat%3D0|Search these hard drives on eBay]] ((Affiliate link)) [[https://​rover.ebay.com/​rover/​1/​711-53200-19255-0/​1?​icep_id=114&​ipn=icep&​toolid=20004&​campid=5338306954&​mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_odkw%3D%2528Conner%252C%2BCP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529%26_ftrt%3D901%26_sop%3D1%26_sadis%3D15%26_dmd%3D1%26LH_BIN%3D1%26_osacat%3D0%26_ipg%3D200%26_stpos%3D75010-2109%26_ftrv%3D1%26_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XConner%2B%2528CP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529.TRS0%26_nkw%3DConner%2B%2528CP3000%252C%2BCP3044%2529%26_sacat%3D0|Search these hard drives on eBay]] ((Affiliate link))
  
-If you're lucky, your computer has the older BIOS, and 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 OnTrack. However, if you have a newer BIOS, the computer will not detect the drive unless it's made by Conner (it's IDE identifier string must start with the letters "​CP"​).+If you're lucky, your computer has the older BIOS, and 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 OnTrack. However, if you have a newer BIOS, the computer will not detect the drive unless it's made by Conner (it's IDE identifier string must start with the letters "​CP"​). ​If you have an older BIOS that is not locked to original Conner hard disks, I would like to hear from you! We need a copy of the BIOS ROM so we can make other T3200SXC'​s capable of using newer hard drives. 
 + 
 +==== CPU upgrades and overclocking ==== 
 +I've been informed that on the T3200SX it is possible to replace the CPU with a TX486SLC upgrade. Credits for this discovery go to **mohhingman**. Thank you!
  
-If you're technically skilled, HighTreason has made a tutorial how to flash the BIOS onto an EEPROM. Flashing a compatible BIOS will allow you to boot with any hard disk. Please see [[Files and Resources]] for more information. 
  
 ==== RAM memory upgrade ==== ==== RAM memory upgrade ====
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 ==== Math coprocessor (FPU) ==== ==== Math coprocessor (FPU) ====
 The computer can be upgraded with an math coprocessor (FPU). The FPU doesn'​t come as standard, but the computer has a provision for an added Intel 387 FPU.  The computer can be upgraded with an math coprocessor (FPU). The FPU doesn'​t come as standard, but the computer has a provision for an added Intel 387 FPU. 
 +
 +==== AT keyboard connector ====
 +The computer has a DIN connector for a AT style keyboard but it may be covered by a plastic cap. Please see the [[DIN keyboard connector]] page for more information.
 +
 +==== CMOS clock battery ====
 +Lithium 3.6V battery supplied. A T3200SX/120 I had came with an original Tadiran TL-5207 3.6V battery. It had a plastic container package, that actually just contained a Tadiran TL-5151 3.6V 1/2 AA lithium battery. Please see gallery for more pictures.
  
 ===== Questions and Answers ===== ===== Questions and Answers =====
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 **Q: How do I upgrade the Hard Disk? **\\ **Q: How do I upgrade the Hard Disk? **\\
-**A:** It depends on the BIOS version of your Toshiba portable (see below for instructions how to check the BIOS version). Most Toshiba T3200SXC BIOSes are restricted to CONNER hard-drives of either 40 or 120 megabytes size. On boot-up, the BIOS queries the IDE controller for hard-drives, and depending on your BIOS version, one of two things will happen: ​+**A:** It depends on the BIOS version of your Toshiba portable (see below for instructions how to check the BIOS version). Most (if not all?) Toshiba T3200SXC BIOSes are restricted to CONNER hard-drives of either 40 or 120 megabytes size. On boot-up, the BIOS queries the IDE controller for hard-drivesdepending on the BIOS type, one of two things will happen: ​
  
-  - ** Older Toshiba BIOS (such as 003C) **+  - ** Older Toshiba BIOS **
     - The computer will detect any drive and just assume it's a 40 MB  disk (regardless of it's actual size).     - The computer will detect any drive and just assume it's a 40 MB  disk (regardless of it's actual size).
-  - ** New Toshiba BIOS (such as 003E/​003F) ​**+  - ** New Toshiba BIOS **
     - The computer will only detect a drive manufactured by Conner. It will assume it's a 40 MB drive (regardless of it's actual size). If you have a different drive than Conner, your computer will simply refuse to detect the hard disk. The model/part number of the disk must start with the letters '​CP'​ (Conner Peripherals) for it to be detected.     - The computer will only detect a drive manufactured by Conner. It will assume it's a 40 MB drive (regardless of it's actual size). If you have a different drive than Conner, your computer will simply refuse to detect the hard disk. The model/part number of the disk must start with the letters '​CP'​ (Conner Peripherals) for it to be detected.
  
 You have a couple of options: You have a couple of options:
  
-  - If you have the **older BIOS**, your computer should detect any hard disk, but the computer will assume it's a 40 MB drive and the setting can't be changed. ​You can still boot from it, but you'll only be able to use up to 40 MB of the disk. To use larger ​hard disks, you will need to download ANYDRIVE (found in the files section) or any other BIOS HDD overlay program that installs in the MBR of your hard disk, and overlays ​the correct hard drive parameters at startup. Anydrive overrides the BIOS settings so you can use any size hard disk up to 504 MB. You can even use larger disks, but only 504 MB will be usable, if using Anydrive. ​If you know of other overlay programs that allow for larger hard disk usageplease let me know+  - If you have the **older BIOS**
-  - If you have the **newer BIOS**, you can do the following:  +    - Your computer should detect any hard disk, but the computer will assume it's a 40 MB drive and the setting can't be changed ​in BIOSHowever you can still boot from it, but you'll only see up to 40 MB of the disk. To enable ​larger ​partitions, you will need to download ANYDRIVE (found in the files section) or any other BIOS HDD overlay program that installs in the MBR of your hard disk, and overrides the BIOS settings to the correct hard drive parameters at startup. Anydrive overrides the BIOS settings so you can use any size hard disk up to 504 MB. You can even use larger disks, but only 504 MB will be usable, if using Anydrive. ​ 
-    - Your Toshiba can boot from a floppy diskbut you will not be able to use the hard disk.+    - Buy an XT-IDE adaptersuch 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
 +  - If you have the **newer BIOS**, you have a few options:  
 +    - As before, you 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.
     - Buy a Conner hard-disk. The important bit is that the the part number starts with the letters '​CP'​. Then use ANYDRIVE to circumvent the BIOS hard-coded drive size limitations.     - Buy a Conner hard-disk. The important bit is that the the part number starts with the letters '​CP'​. Then use ANYDRIVE to circumvent the BIOS hard-coded drive size limitations.
-    - Replace your BIOS chip with an older BIOS, or hunt down a spares -computer with an older BIOS version (such as 003C) and replace the chip. 
-  - 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 limitations. There is a well written BIOS re-flashing guide in the files page in the section labeled Documentation. 
  
 Note: If you plan to use a drive other than what is supported by your BIOS, I highly recommend a BIOS HDD overlay software, so that you may avoid data corruption. Note: If you plan to use a drive other than what is supported by your BIOS, I highly recommend a BIOS HDD overlay software, so that you may 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. I've only seen 003C, 003E and 003F 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. Please let me know your BIOS version, ​and/​or ​take a picture of it and send it over! I'm trying to get an understanding what BIOS versions are out there. ​If you have the capability to read the BIOS chip, I would appreciate a BIOS image. I will gladly host it on this site.
  
  
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 ==== Community Guides ==== ==== Community Guides ====
 ^ File                 ^ Size ^ Description ^ ^ File                 ^ Size ^ Description ^
-| {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​T3200SX_BIOS.PDF|Dumping and Copying Toshiba BIOS ROM}}    | 1.9 MB | **How to dump and copy your BIOS from a T3200SX** \\ Note: due to the similarities between T3200SX and T3200SXC, this guide should apply to T3200SXC as well, although this has not (yet) been verified. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to dump and/or copy a BIOS ROM chip. This manual is especially helpful if you have a BIOS that doesn'​t accept custom hard drives, and you want to replace it with a version that does work with custom hard disks. Using the steps in this manual you can replace your BIOS with a BIOS version that allows you to use any hard drive in conjunction with the BIOS version found on this site (see download for t3200sx_bios_003ch.zip). An excellent guide written by [[http://​www.mirror3dr.com/​|High Treason]]. \\ \\ **Note:** Use guide at your discretion. You will need a TL866 EEPROM programmer. Highly recommended that you buy a second [[https://​rover.ebay.com/​rover/​1/​711-53200-19255-0/​1?​icep_id=114&​ipn=icep&​toolid=20004&​campid=5338306954&​mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_odkw%3DHN27C1024-HG%26_osacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XHN27C1024HG-85.TRS0%26_nkw%3DHN27C1024HG-85%26_sacat%3D0|HN27C1024HG-85]] ROM chip and keep your original unmodified and in a safe place. |+| {{http://​omolini.steptail.com/​files/​hardware/​toshiba_t-series/​T3200SX_BIOS.PDF|Dumping and Copying Toshiba BIOS ROM}}    | 1.9 MB | **How to dump and copy your BIOS from a T3200SX** \\ Note: due to the similarities between T3200SX and T3200SXC, this guide should apply to T3200SXC as well. This guide will walk you through the steps needed to dump and/or copy a BIOS ROM chip. An excellent guide written by [[http://​www.mirror3dr.com/​|High Treason]]. \\ \\ **Note:** Use guide at your discretion. You will need a TL866 EEPROM programmer. Highly recommended that you buy a second [[https://​rover.ebay.com/​rover/​1/​711-53200-19255-0/​1?​icep_id=114&​ipn=icep&​toolid=20004&​campid=5338306954&​mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_odkw%3DHN27C1024-HG%26_osacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XHN27C1024HG-85.TRS0%26_nkw%3DHN27C1024HG-85%26_sacat%3D0|HN27C1024HG-85]] ROM chip and keep your original unmodified and in a safe place. |
  
 ==== Operating System ==== ==== Operating System ====
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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 ​will install inside ​the primary ​hard-drive'​s master boot record (MBR) and while bootingmodifies BIOS parameters to accept custom hard-drives (assuming your BIOS version will allow this, see FAQ)\\ To install, make a bootable floppy ​and copy AnyDrive ​to it. Boot off the floppy, install AnyDrive on your HDD, then boot from the HDD per usual. The Anydrive documentation describes how to have Anydrive ​modify BIOS hard-drive settings ​and still boot from a floppy diskAssuming ​you have a custom ​hard-drive that is larger than 512MB, you can install AnyDrive by running the command **"​ANYDRIVE 0 2048 16 63"**. This will allow you to utilize the first 512 megabytes on the hard-disk. Once installed, just restart the computer. Please note that viruses may overwrite Anydrive ​from the MBR, so keep your favorite ​DOS virus scanner and Anydrive handy on a bootable ​read-only ​floppy. The reason you can only utilize 512 MB is because of the limitations in the BIOS addressing scheme. For more information,​ see the included text file. |+| {{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 partitionsIf 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. |
 |                            [[Files and Resources|View more files on this support site]] ​              ||| |                            [[Files and Resources|View more files on this support site]] ​              |||
  
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 I do not have any BIOS dumps for T3200SXC. If you have a dump, I'd love to hear from you!  I do not have any BIOS dumps for T3200SXC. If you have a dump, I'd love to hear from you! 
  
-Since this computer is very similar to T3200SX, the BIOSes ​may be interchangeable. ​Please see file section for T3200SX ​for more information +This computer is very similar to T3200SX, ​however I have heard that the BIOSes ​**are not** interchangeable. ​Using a T3200SX ​bios on a T3200SXC will yield with 5 beeps on boot and no picture 
 ===== Gallery ===== ===== Gallery =====
 <WRAP group> <WRAP group>
toshiba_t-series_support/toshiba_t3200sxc.txt · Last modified: 2023-08-31 17:36 by omolini