Toshiba/driver/disassembly problems

[dneilson]

Moderators: I've had the following posted in Laptops for a day with 12 views and zero replys. Thought I'd try it here for a while.
If this is inapporpiate send it to that big galatic bit bucket in the sky.


Toshiba Tecra 720CDT
Have the subject Laptop with CD ROM, external floppy, modem/nic PCMCIA card, lithium ion battery, charger and everything works perfectly.
It has a 2 Gig hard drive, Pentium 133 and 16 Meg of RAM.

1) I formatted and installed Win95 but the video would not fill the screen. I searched all over the net but could not find a Video driver for the Tecra. Does anyone know where I could find a driver?

2) Removed Win95 and installed Win98. 98 must have installed a driver as the screen resolution is now OK. It doen's run too bad but with the specs it has it would probably run better with 95 but I have the driver problem.

3) In any case, more RAM would definately help. I found a couple of places I could buy some RAM at a decent price but it looks like I have to get the case apart to install it. I tried but could not get the case apart. Does any one know how I can get this case apart?

I realize this is an oldie but it is a goodie and I hate to waste anything. If I can get it running well I'll find some use for it.

Will appreciate any feedback I get.

[Murf]

Win 98 16MB ram yep a little slow, 32MB would be better, although 64MB would be great.

Does not the lappy have a plastic cover on the bottom, once removed you have access to the memory bay most do.

Memory looks like this:

http://members.cox.net/joemurphy/mem.gif

Toshiba TECRA 720CDT Memory Configuration
Maximum Memory 144MB
Memory Slots 1 slot (only one memory option)
Non-removable base memory 16MB

[dneilson]

Hi Murf-- First, thank you for letting me put this post here and second, thank you for the reply. Yes, I have that cover--it's the first place I looked. I've looked in there several times with a flashlight and magnifiying glass and there is no place to plug in a memory module. That picture is just like mine except i only have the top row of four soldered in memory. That white socket is not where memory would plug in--the opening is vertical and is 140 pins, I have no idea what it is for. It is labled EXP MEM PJ1. I find that the memory for this is 144 pins. That's why I figured it must plug in somewhere inside and I'd have to get the case open. Thanks again for the reply and if you have more comments they would be appreciated. Now that the post is over here maybe someone else can help also.

[puterfixer]

All serious computer manufacturer offer manuals and drivers for their products even 10 years after the last unit sold went out of warranty. It's a comittment they make to customers, and we can only be glad they care.

Visit Toshiba Computer Products Support (http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_home.jsp) site and click Downloads. On the following page, in Product list select Portables, in Family list select Tecra, in Model list select 720CDT and finally click the Go button. There are all possible downloads for your laptop; it would be a good idea to filter them out by operating system and area of interest. So, select Windows 95 in the Operating System list, and in Category list select Display then click Apply Filter - this will take you to the video driver for Windows 95; selecting Driver in the list will show you all drivers for Windows 95, including internal modem and sound card; or All Categories to see what they can offer for download for Windows 95. Same for Windows 98. It would be a good idea to take your time and download all available drivers for your operating systems of interest, save them neatly organized on a floppy and keep it together with any documentation you have for that laptop, in case you ever need it right away. Copy it on a folder on the laptop too, to have it ready when Windows asks for it.

Image appears small on the screen because Windows uses 640x480 by default when it can't recognize (and provide built-in drivers for) the video card. Unlike monitors, LCD displays don't stretch the image on the entire display surface. You will have to use the resolution for which the display was created; probably 800x600. It will be available in Display Properties after you install the new drivers.

Laptop memory usually comes in SO-DIMM package, the modules are short and install parralel to the circuit board. Look in the manual what is the largest memory capacity the laptop's motherboard can accept, then see if you can buy one somewhere. The newer modules use high density chips which may not work with your older model, that's why it would be great if you can test the memory first. Take your laptop to a local computer store, see if they can help. Look at these two products to see what to look for: a 256 MB SO-DIMM SDRAM PC133 module (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-211-124&depa=0) and a 128 MB SO-DIMM SDRAM PC133 module (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-211-101&depa=0).

[dneilson]

puterfixer--
Thank you for the effort you put into your reply. As I mentioned in my first post I have already searched all over the net---the first place I went to was the Toshiba site you provided a link to. There is no video driver available for the Toshiba 720CDT. This is what led me to install Win98. Win98 provided sound and the correct video. I understand your second paragraph about the screen resolution. As I'm stuck with running Win98 I figure with more memory it should be acceptable. And here is the real problem--my reply to Murph explains it--that picture is accurate and that white socket is as described--it does not accept a memory module. Through other reasearch I've done I've determined the memory requirements are: PC66, Low Density, SODIMM, 144 pin. I've found several places to buy both new and used at reasonable prices but don't want to order it yet as I can't find out where to install it. So, I'm close but no cigar. Any and all further feedback from anyone will sure be appreciated.

Thanks again for your respnse.

[Murf]

Non-removable base memory 16MB

The motherbopard has 16MB buit in. Where you are looking should be empty slots. It will take 2 SODIMMS to add up to another 128MB or 2-64MB SODIMM'S

SODIMMS are small and have 144 pins. They slide in horizontally, there should be two sockets one on each end for the memory to fit in, they lay flat once installed.

[puterfixer]

On the link I provided, there IS a display driver for Windows 95 for Tecra 720 CDT.

Title: Windows 95 Display Driver for C&T 6555x
Version: 1.0B1
Size: 173,568 bytes
Posted: 05/01/98
Released Date: 03/02/98
Operating System: Windows 95

Applicable Models: Libretto 50CT, 70CT
Portege 300CT, 320CT, 650CT, 660CDT
Satellite 200CDS, 205CDS, 225CDS, 220CDS
Satellite Pro 420CDT, 425CDT, 425CDS, 430CDS, 435CDS, 440CDT, 445CDT, 445CDX, 440CDX, 430CDT, 420CDS, 460CDT, 460CDX, 465CDX, 470CDT, 480CDT
Tecra 500CDT, 500CS, 730XCDT, 510CDT, 520CDT, 530CDT, 710CDT, 720CDT, 730CDT, 740CDT

[dneilson]

Murf--Thanks for the additional feedback. I'm with you 100%--am familiar with the memory modules and realize they should slide into sockets horizontally. This is the crux of the problem. That picture you posted is exactly what I have (except I only have 16 Meg. of installed memory) and I just checked again for the upmteenth time and I swear on a stack of Bibles there are no memory sockets available in that compartment. I found the same information on adding memory--this laptop should accept up to an additional 128 Meg. of memory. There has to be a way to install it--I just have to find out how.

puterfixer--You are right, there WAS the video driver I needed on that site, I didn't dig deep enough before. I downloaded it and the Sound driver so I should now be able to go back to Win95 if push comes to shove. I would really prefer to stay with Win98 by adding additional memory but by reading my reply to Murph you can see where I'm stuck.

So, that's where I am right now. Your replys so far have helped a lot--I'm farther ahead than I was. You both are very knowledgeable on this so maybe we can solve this yet.

Help received so far VERY much appreciated!

[dneilson]

Murf & puterfixer---

[Murf]

DId some more digging:

Standard Memory: 16 MB (Soldered)
Maximum Memory: 144 MB
Number of Sockets: 1
Number of Memory Banks: 1

1.Make sure that the computer is turned off and all cables disconnected.

2. Close the computer, place it upside-down on a flat surface, and locate the memory expansion cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the two screws and remove the cover.

3. Be sure to properly ground yourself before touching any electronic components.

4. The two screws shown below must be removed from your computer before you install your new memory upgrade.

http://members.cox.net/joemurphy/mem1.gif

[dneilson]

Murf & puterfixer--prior post is a closeup of the memory compartment--it's a bit hard to see but that white socket is the socket for additional memory and the contacts are vertical, not horizontal and it is indeed 140 pins. I went back to the Toshiba site and found a users manual, downloaded it and read through it and sure enough that's where they say to install memory upgrades. I've been foolin' around with computers for about twenty years and have never seen anything like that. When I check for memory upgrades on a couple of memory manufacturers sites they say it's the type you suggested Murf (and what I thought it was). This thing must require some ancient, weird, obscure memory with right angle contacts or a flexible contact strip. Well, now I know where I am. I'll spend some more research time and see if I can find out anything further about that memory. If no luck I'll reinstall Win95 now that I can thanx to puterfixer. If I find out anything I'll post back for general info. This is the weirdest one I've ever run into.

Thanx again to both of you for your efforts!

[dneilson]

Murf--Again, Thanks. Looks like we both came to the same conclusion at about the same time. The diagram you sent confirms it--the contacts on the upgrade module are indeed at right angles. Never heard of such a thing. As I mentioned in my last post I'll see if I can find a place to get it. I don't have a lot of hope for this.

Thank you!!!!!

[puterfixer]

Looks like it is a proprietary connector, so you will need to find a memory module specifically created for this model of laptop. Why would manufacturers abide to a standard when they could create different connectors for every model and force you to buy upgrades only from them at a higher cost than normal? I hope you can find such a module somewhere.

For what it's worth, to me it seemed that Windows 95 OSR2 with Internet Explorer 4 and a few other updates (like USB supplemental patch, Winsocks 2 and some other updates) will look and run like 98, but a little faster on older computers. IE4 installs visual enhancements to the graphic interface, like the Quick Launch toolbar. I've tried getting IE5, IE5.5 and IE6 on a Windows 95 and older computer, but they were a little slow. The problem is that IE4 is no longer available on Microsoft's site, so you'll have to find someone with an installation CD or the entire kit downloaded for offline installation. On the other hand, Windows 98 has better built-in support for USB than the patch for 95, if that's important to you.

[dneilson]

puterfixer--Oh yeah, it's definately proprietary. The user manual I downloaded and Murf's diagram confirmed that. That wasn't know in the beginning but now that it's established I have a plan of attack. I've started researching that memory and am pleasantly surprised--there's a lot of it available out there from 8MB to 128MB, used, used refurbished & tested and new in a price range from $40 to $200. I'm sure not going to put 200 bux in this thing but I will decide on something and give it a try.

Thanks to both of you again!

[Murf]

Glad you sorted it out. 64MB is pleanty for "98" plus you already have 16MB on the board so 80MB will make "98" run great. Also would make "95" fly.

Try
18004memory (http://www.18004memory.com/)
I have bought from them before.

Oops just checked 64MB = $182 WOW

[dneilson]

Hi Murf--Very nice of you to get back to me again. That memory you suggested is probably new--I found the prices out of sight on the new stuff. Have ordered 64Meg of used from the link below for 50 bux. They appear to be reputable, guarantee it to work and will exchange if it doesn't. I've bought used stuff on line before and always made out OK. I figure the worst that can happen is I might have the hassle of an exchange or the absolute worst is I may be out 50 bux and that wont change my standard of living. I think it will run real well with 80 Meg.

Thanks for all the effort again!!!

http://www.memoryx.net/nw2045u.html

[dneilson]

Murf & puterfixer--just a little feedback about memoryx--excellent company. Ordered on the 24th and got it today. They acknowledged the order immediately by Email and provided tracking info. The memory looked like new--not scruffy, dusty, dirty or beat up. Installed it and it was recognized first shot and works great. Installed Win98SE and the machine is "peppy"--not a screamer but more than usable. Another clunker saved fron the land fill. Thanks to you both again.

[Murf]

Great, thanks for the feedback, will check that memory site out. Now just tweak that sucker. Here are some good tweaking sites for Windows 98:

HERE (http://www.mdgx.com/)

And

HERE (http://www.windows-help.net/windows98/tune-34.shtml)