First post, by fool
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This thread is about Toshiba T-series desktop model T8500, kind of relative to T5200 laptop. I haven't found much information about and writing this for the reason.
According to this https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989- … -300-story.html these might have been manufactured in Irvine. In the nameplate reads: "TOKYO JAPAN".
There seems to be some variants, at least:
- Model 25?, PA5042U = 25MHz, 64kB cache (from the specification PDF)
- Model 20, PA5041E = 20MHz, 32kB cache (this is the one I have)
I attached some pictures from inside. There can be found:
- 80386-20
- T9490F-20 32kB cache
- 1MB onboard DRAM
- DRAM expansion board with 1MB onboard and 1+1MB SIMMs (same as in T5200)
- Paradise PVGA1A
- SCSI+IDE+floppy(same cable pinout as in T5200)
- 3x16-bit ISA + 1x8-bit ISA which needs special back plate to be used(I don't have that).
There's 3 empty cache footprints (red box). I'm thinking about ordering T9490F-25 chips to expand cache to 128kB (4x T9490), but I'm not sure is that just "plug-and-play". I assume -20 and -25 stands for corresponding CPU FSB.
Does anyone have 25MHz variant? Would be interesting to see assembled cache chips.
Price information shows that T8500 SIMM memory is more expensive than for T5200. I think it's because of 25MHz FSB vs 20MHz in T5200. Same 40-pin SIMM should fit both.
I'll build new 4+4MB memory modules if I can get this thing running. Power supply main switching transistor was shorted and had to order a new one. I really hope that's the only issue, but I have learned I should not assume that to be.
Original Conner HDD is missing. If this is also "Conner only"like T5200, I'll just use XTIDE. But there are some issues first to deal with...
Maintenance manual: https://www.minuszerodegrees.net/manuals/Tosh … ce%20Manual.pdf
Specification (minimal): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/330235/Tosh … ries-T8500.html
PC-Magazine July, 1990
InfoWorld Laptop memory prices
BIOS images uploaded here: Re: 80386 BIOS image collection
Toshiba T8500 desktop
SAM/CS9233 Wavetable Synthesizer daughterboard
Coming: 40-pin 8MB SIMM kit, CS4232 ISA wavetable sound card