You are likely to need to fit a replacement RTC battery ..but a standard AA type can be used..
From your description it looks like there is no extended memory fitted ..
You will most likely end up fitting a modified bios..
If this is true then getting some is going to be a real issue ..as it is proprietory 40 pin sim and rare ..
As to the keyboard ..
No idea unless it was left disconnected when the simms were pulled ?
the 1.44mb floppy is also non standard but details to make a conversion lead ..or fit an adapter board are on the forum ..
There are at least 3 threads you should check out ..
search 5200
rgds
VS

jheronimus wrote:

1) I can see from this teardown that the CPU and FPU are socketed. Can I upgrade the CPU from 386@20 (mine is a 5200, not a 5200 […]
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1) I can see from this teardown that the CPU and FPU are socketed. Can I upgrade the CPU from 386@20 (mine is a 5200, not a 5200/100) to Intel 386@33?
2) what kind of BIOS battery does it use? There is an external battery on the teardown photos, but it looks like a mod to me
3) it has a 1.44MB drive, but is it standard? Will an ordinary 1.44 drive fit/work in this machine?
4) are Conner drives IDE-compatible? Can I fit a regular 3.5 inch IDE drive in this machine?
5) is there any way to use an external keyboard?

Hello there my fellow Slav, 😎

1. Theoretically yes. See this thread: Toshiba T5200 mods and upgrades It probably won't be easy, however, and speed gain would be minimal, so I don't think it is worth it.
2. You can exchange the original battery to anything 3.6V - I used LS14500 3,6V AA Saft in mine, but have seen people using rechargeable AAs and CR2032 (theoretically 3V, but seems to be enough in practice).
3. No, it is not standard. Once again, see this thread for the information on what options you have: Toshiba T5200 mods and upgrades
4. Yes, but it does not not mean you can just use any IDE replacement. For more info - same thread.
5. Interesting question - I haven't tried it, but the maintenance manual: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/manuals/Toshi … ce%20Manual.pdf mentions external keyboard in section 1.9, so theoretically it should be feasible. No idea how, though.

Hope the above did help a little. Cheers from Poland!

OldCat wrote:

Hello there my fellow Slav, :cool: […]
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jheronimus wrote:

1) I can see from this teardown that the CPU and FPU are socketed. Can I upgrade the CPU from 386@20 (mine is a 5200, not a 5200 […]
Show full quote

1) I can see from this teardown that the CPU and FPU are socketed. Can I upgrade the CPU from 386@20 (mine is a 5200, not a 5200/100) to Intel 386@33?
2) what kind of BIOS battery does it use? There is an external battery on the teardown photos, but it looks like a mod to me
3) it has a 1.44MB drive, but is it standard? Will an ordinary 1.44 drive fit/work in this machine?
4) are Conner drives IDE-compatible? Can I fit a regular 3.5 inch IDE drive in this machine?
5) is there any way to use an external keyboard?

Hello there my fellow Slav, 😎

1. Theoretically yes. See this thread: Toshiba T5200 mods and upgrades It probably won't be easy, however, and speed gain would be minimal, so I don't think it is worth it.
2. You can exchange the original battery to anything 3.6V - I used LS14500 3,6V AA Saft in mine, but have seen people using rechargeable AAs and CR2032 (theoretically 3V, but seems to be enough in practice).
3. No, it is not standard. Once again, see this thread for the information on what options you have: Toshiba T5200 mods and upgrades
4. Yes, but it does not not mean you can just use and IDE replacement. For more info - same thread.
5. Interesting question - I haven't tried it, but the maintenance manual: http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/manuals/Toshi … ce%20Manual.pdf mentions external keyboard in section 1.9, so theoretically it should be feasible. No idea how, though.

Hope the above did help a little. Cheers from Poland!

Interesting that an external Keyboard might be used ..
I may look into that myself..
Thanks OC

Thanks a lot for the info, guys!

If this is true then getting some is going to be a real issue ..as it is proprietory 40 pin sim and rare ..

Whoa, thanks for the heads up. That might prove to be a deal breaker for me.

jheronimus wrote:

Thanks a lot for the info, guys!

If this is true then getting some is going to be a real issue ..as it is proprietory 40 pin sim and rare ..

Whoa, thanks for the heads up. That might prove to be a deal breaker for me.

It might be worth asking if the simms are still in the 5200..
I certainly would..

I think 2 sticks were standard issue..

Regarding the battery, FDD and IDE options, these threats will be of interest to you

A couple of retros I'm working on.
Toshiba T3200SX BIOS?
Toshiba T5200 mods and upgrades

The T3200SX and T5200 have a lot in common when it comes to proprietary HDD, FDD and memory requirements, amongst other things....

jheronimus wrote:

I'm looking to buy a Toshiba T5200 — I've found a fairly cheap one, but the seller can't test it properly. As of now, it starts up, but doesn't boot. It gives the following errors:
Keyboard failure
Keyboard clock line failure

I've never seen those errors on any of my T5200s even with a flat battery (or no battery connected) so maybe a hardware issue

jheronimus wrote:

512K base memory 00000K extended
Invalid configuration information — please run SETUP program
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility

AFAIK the T5200 came with 2MB as standard (1MB of chips soldered on the motherboard and 1MB of chips soldered on the SIMM expansion board) so 512MB seems to also indicate a hardware issue (The detected RAM size on mine is always shown correctly even with no battery/battery failure)

As mentioned by others, the T5200 uses proprietary SIMMs so it's always worth checking if any are fitted on the SIMM expansion board under the keyboard (The invalid memory test probably won't show that so a visual inspection would be needed). It is possible to wire up standard 72 pin SIMMs and I will be detailing how to do that in the above mentioned thread but that kind of mod is really only suitable for someone with electronics experience.

jheronimus wrote:

1) I can see from this teardown that the CPU and FPU are socketed. Can I upgrade the CPU from 386@20 (mine is a 5200, not a 5200/100) to Intel 386@33?

You can upgrade the CPU to one of the pin compatible 386 to 486 type upgrade processors and that can roughly double or triple the speed depending on which one is used but I don't think it's possible to change the underlying CPU speed as that is crystal controlled. I tried changing the crystal on mine but it wouldn't boot.

jheronimus wrote:

5) is there any way to use an external keyboard?

There is on the T3200SX but I've not seen a similar feature on the T5200

I bargained and got a good price for it, also got a Toshiba T4400C (the condition isn't great, but I got a 486SX-25 with it).

I kind of hoped that the battery leaked over some of the tracks that lead to the keyboard controller. However, the battery is intact and there is absolutely no visible damage to the motherboard. So I guess with my lack of knowledge in electronics, the only viable way to fix the keyboard issue is to get another unit for spare parts.

The RAM is gone and I think the Conner drive needs replacing. Other than that the machine is in really good shape. So I guess this will be a long project, but I think this machine is awesome and it will all be worth it in the end.

jheronimus wrote:

I guess this will be a long project, but I think this machine is awesome and it will all be worth it in the end.

It totally will be. Once you have a look at this plasma screen, you won't regret a minute of bringing this "glorious orange beast" to life. Fingers crossed, and if you need help, ask here.