Have you tried the 4GB and 2GB cards with overlay software (EZ-Drive)?
I know the BIOS is modded on yours, but this could make it work regardless.

It seems for some reason the adapter isnt quite suitable? Ergo maybe still try to use Overlay software to make the partitions and "translate" for your BIOS? This is normally a safe bet.

In the past, whenever I had a CF card (normally compatible on its own since its PATA protocol) with a card that is has a size still supported by BIOS (example 512MB), sometimes I still couldnt make it work although it was CF and a size supported by BIOS, and used Overlay software which made it work.

Not tried overlay software JZ ...
but I can confirm I have 2x 2gb CF cards which do boot no problems ..
A Dane-Elec 2gb with DOS 6.22 only
and a 2gb Swissbit CF with Dos and Win 3 ..
..both bootable with my adapter and using the modded Hamby bios ..
(cheers Ian ..wherever you are)
I will test the 4gb CF I ordered as soon as it arrives.
Very much a lottery with these things I think.
Odd that DOS can see the 4gb Transcend ..and that both DOS and Win 3.11 can be installed ...and yet feruses to boot.
I'm reading that my belief that there are only 2 'states' for the CF ..
Fixed and removeable...is in fact misguided ..and that there is a third state ..
not clearly defined ..but this may be a hybrid state of some sort..
rgds
VS

In that case overlay software does not give higher success rates. It comes down to what cards are compatible. Different manufacturers yield different results.

This is one advantage I have witnessed with SD adapters in place of CF adapters. Most, if not all SD cards are compatible, they just have to be a certain speed, that is all.

A recent example:
My T3200SX acted up weirdly. Sporadically giving errors like "Error - command.com not found" and others of the like, which I couldnt pin down.

Turned out the SD card I used was a 1GB one, a VERY old one, which had no "classes", and was as it turned out too slow for the emulation, resulting in weird errors.
Since I have switched to a faster card , all is good.

Maybe your cards differ in speed?

Cheers.

I decided to add my screen mods to this thread as well ...so decided to change the overall thread title.
We have a 5200 mods thread ..but the 3200 doesn't have one ..and so references aren't centralised.

Anyway..
managed to mount all of the electronics inside the plasma screen case...though it doesnt quite snap closed as yet ..
I think I'll have to either thin down the VGA connector I'm using ..make one of my own with no shell ,,,or hard wire it.
that said ..it is now pretty close.
I mounted the controls behind the glued down front plastic ..which is no longer useable on mine ..
The original T3200 owner butchered this ..and probably cracked the plasma screen at the same time.
Anyway ..the lcd screen controls can be accessed through a series of small hole I drilled ...and this also makes the indicator light visible.
Some pics of the build so far..
I also want to retain VGA out to an external monitor..which will require an active VGA splitter..which I'm hoping to mount on the motherboard.

I'm trying to make as few physical changes as possible ..that way it is reversable should I ever find a plasma screen.
rgds
VS

So ..
The Sandisk Ultra II 4gb arrived ..and once again a 2048 partition created
(only the one partition) primary active ...and DOS6.22 installed ...
one again the T3200SX refused to boot C:
I have to therefore conclude in is _not_ the brand of CF used ..or speed of access.
This has to be a hardware issue ...or more likely a bios restriction...and may be fixable by our bios expert IanB.
But I cannot ask him on account he is MIA.
If I want to use a 4gb CF ..I guess I will have to go down the overlay software route...or stick with 2gb CF cards.
I am curious though ..
Hamby mate ...
you also use this modded bios..
have you tried it with a 4gb CF ?
rgds
VS

I am curious as well, and what the restriction turns out to be.
In the meantime I stand by as support for EZ-Drive if any questions arise as I have used that software extensively.

Thanks JZ ..
I may well need you help...particularly in light of Ians absence.
Chances are EZ drive is the path I will take...
but the 3200 is on the back burner for now as I wait for the vga splitter.
rgds
VS

Made a start on splitting the VGA signal to drive the internally mounted VGA TFT ...and external monitor port..
I decided to use a dedicated active port splitter ..which cost very little from AliExpress ..
Removed the plastic case and physically mounted it under the psu ..
set back a little ..
The input to this device is drived by a 6 wire ribbon hooked directly to the pcb underside ...external vga port connector..
Effectively I could in theory drive 3 monitors now ..
🤣
I didn't like the idea of NOT using an active powered splitter ..as direct or passive splitting does degrade the signals..
It is powered internally from the T3200SX 12 volt rail ..
bit of a lash up at the moment and the 3200sx is only partly rebuilt atm.
The camera does show both monitors working ...but a very dull photo ...
it looks so much better in reality.
as I will show in a later photo.
rgds
VS

Not there yet but the prize is now in sight..
There have been unforseen issues ..such as ..
no space to mount the original T3200sx indicator LEDs ..but I can live without them.
Had to make custom VGA leads to drive the screen ...but the vga splitter much improved the image..
A custom power 'loom' needed to be made to supply 12v and 5v ..tapped off the HD power plug ..
The display itself was also an issue ..since in came with Chinese as the default language...and NO manual ..so much prodding of the user buttons and several attempts and false starts ..
I finally got into English.
Occasionally I have to use 'auto' resolution detection ..and this is now easy ..on account I am reading English menus.
A simple button press usually fixes these resolution problems..
This is where I'm at currently..

(appologies for the cameras inability to focus on low light images)
rgds
VS

So ..I guess I am more or less done ..
Still got to re-install the sound card ..
but..
looking promising.
rgds
VS

Turned out quite nicely. Well done.
All is forgiven, given then fact your original display was a goner and these screens in working condition are really rare. Road well chosen.

jaZz_KCS wrote:

Turned out quite nicely. Well done.
All is forgiven, given then fact your original display was a goner and these screens in working condition are really rare. Road well chosen.

Cheers JZ ..
Given that have easy access to the CF adapter underneath ..
A windows 3.1 CF/HD is my next mod for this luvverly lump of retro.
Just wish Ian was arround to give a thumbs up as well.
Still conspicuous by his absence.

...and everything is reversable ..should I EVER find a plasma screen.
rgds
VS

Not done yet it seems ..
Now got the sound card re-installed ...so figured ..
why not give the T3200sx built in audio..
Granted it wont be hifi ..but nevertheless .
After staring long and hard at the 2 vented upper case slots originally intended for fans ..
I figured these left and right vented case positions would be ideal .
..and since the whole thing now runs cooler not having the bulk of the conner drive in there ..plus the plasma screen replaced with a cooler running TFT.
I figured I could loose the top mounted fan ..
which occupied one of those vented locations..
The fan could if need be ..be repositioned..but I doubt it will actually be needed.
There is afterall one already fitted to the power supply which will remain.
Anyway ..for about £3 ..I ordered this kit from China.
it runs on 5v ..which I already have spare on my custom wiring loom..
and gives about 3 watts of audio.
here is a picture of the kit.
the speakers are included and are exactly the right size for the vented upper case positions.
rgds
VS

So ..the audio amp kit arrived from China today ..
This is it partially installed ..
The amp pcb top left ..
The speakers placed at the vents ..
Top Left and Right ..
Still have to sort a supply out for it ..and route a lead through to the Line out of the sound card ..
A small slot was cut in the case on the left so the volume control edge wheel pot can be accessed..
Jobs for the weekend..🤣
As said it will never be hi fi or replace external speakers ..but should provide a useable alternative to the PC speaker ..and provide some portability..
rgds
VS

Job complete ..
reassembly later ..
Sure it wont be winning any prizes at a HiFi convention ...but is plenty loud enough and although lacking in Bass ..is very acceptable ..
I like it..
😉

Got another consideration ..that just occurred to me ..
The right speaker and is directly above the floppy drive ..
The speaker magnet is exposed (cheap speakers)..thus..
A sure fire recipe for disaster ..
I guess I'm gonna have to introduce some Mu Metal shielding ...
Since I dont have any sheet material ..I'm think perhaps the casing from an older speaker will do the job.
thoughts anyone ?

Just a thought but what are the cover plates of hard drives made of ?
does anyone here know ?

So this is my fix ..
An old TV speaker was sliced up and the Mu metal cap over the magnet harvested ..
This was then used to screen/cap the right speaker ..secured in place with double sided foam tape ..
I attach 2 pix ..to illustrate the left & right speakers ..before and after ..as it were..
rgds
VS

So ..my new Gel front plastic has been created to cover the mess left after the original 'damaged' plastic was removed ..
using this method it is possible to use the TFT tactile buttons which will now be hidden under the surface of the new plastic..
see pics.
And no I have not fixed it in place yet as I may need to access the screen again before I'm finished...but the double sided tape is in place an simply needs peeling to finally fix it..
It will be the last job before I declare The modded T3200SX 'finished'
rgds
VS

Finally completed ..
My modded T3200sx ..
The final piece arrived this morning from the USA ..
another piece of 1mb IBM memory ..
actually I bought 4 simms ..as they were being sold in lots of 4 ..#
Now maxed at 6mb plus additional memory
& 386 cpu
So I now have a TFT screen T3200sx with original floppy drive ..running DOS from a CF card easily accessible in the unused modem port/hatch underneath ..
..and built in stereo audio ..with an ISA soundblaster.
Hope it meets with approval..
😁
rgds
VS

It looks really nice. Well done.
Just out of curiosity, with all these mods, is the computer running cooler (even without the top fan)?