3inONEder for Toshiba portables
Intro
This project started as a continuation of my previous CF adapter for Toshiba portables project. In using those I started to realize that there where more features that I wanted on my Toshiba's, like sound and analog joystick controls. Unfortunately most of the Toshiba models only have one expansion port (except T3200 & T5200 line). So it quickly became clear I had to integrate some more features on the same boards.
Features
- Compact Flash adapter, bootable using the XTide BIOS
- Bootable or as second drive.
- Reconfigurable XTide BIOS from DOS.
- Ability to control Internal IDE controllers as well (to remove the BIOS HDD limits).
- PC Joystick port.
- Connect one or two joysticks for a total of 4 analog inputs and 4 buttons.
- Compatible with 4 button joysticks/gamepads like the Gravis Gamepad
- Adlib compatible soundcard
- Yamaha OPL3 sound chip (YAC512-M+YMF262-M).
- Line level output, powerful enough to drive small earphones. Or usable with amplified speakers.
- IO address selectable.
- NEW, experimental ethernet controller.
- Partially NE2000 compatible.
- DOS and ELKS linux packet drivers.
Where to buy?
Unfortunately all expansion cards are sold out at the moment. More will be listed soon on my eBay account.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/conventionalmemories
Want to order outside of eBay? Email me at ConventionalMemories@gmail.com
Update: Due to the global pandemic I am having trouble sourcing all of the components. A small batch of about 35 card will be listed on my eBay page on Friday 02/09/22.
Compatible Toshiba models
This card is compatible and has been tested with every Toshiba T-series model that has the Toshiba expansion slot, or as it is named in the official Toshiba documentation "Toshiba proprietary expansion slot - "A" form factor". The expansion slot is located on the back of the machine. (except for the T1600 which has it on the left side)
- T1100 PLUS (not the original T1100)
- T1200
- T1600
- T2100 from 1986 (not the later "satellite T2100")
- T3100 (E)(sx)
- T3200sx(c) (not the original T3200)
- T5100
- T5200(c)
Some of the Japanese models J-3100… have the same expansion slot and should work as well, not sure. I have not been able to test this yet however.
Small update:
I have been able to test some of the J3100 series and have found no issues with the Japanese DOS versions and software, so I assume all J3100 models that have the expansion slot will work. For reference, I have been able to test the following models:
- J-3100 (Japanese version of the T3100)
- J-3100GT (Japanese version of the T3100E)
- J-3100GT XDV (66Mhz 486, this is probably the fastest compatible laptop)
3D printed bracket
Want to print your own bracket in a different material or colour? STL files are available here.
In depth
Because this is effectively 3 ISA cards on one board I'll split this part up in 3 different sections.
CF adapter
Based on Lo-tech's XT-CF cards
Programming the XTide bios.
Important: To ensure compatibility with Toshiba models with an 8086 processor all cards will be configured by default (unless specifically asked otherwise at time of purchase) with an XT version of the XTIDE BIOS, to get better performance on machines with a 286 or higher processor it is recommended to upgrade to an AT version of the XTIDE BIOS.
All the files discussed in this document can be downloaded here.
(extract these files somewhere you can access from the computer for which you want to program the ROM with. Floppy, Hard Disk or CF card)
Configuration files
- FLASH.EXE “Lo-tech XT-CF flash utility” For flashing config to ROM
- XTIDECFG.COM XT-IDE configuration editor
- XT.BIN Pre-configured for XT class machines (8088 & 8086)
- AT.BIN Pre-configured for 286 and higher machines
- AT-INT.BIN Same as “AT”, with support for internal IDE controller
Which pre-configured BIOS to use for which Toshiba portable?
- Use “XT.BIN” for XT class machines.
- T1100 PLUS
- T1200
- T2100
- Use “AT.BIN” for 286 and higher machines.
- T1600
- T3100(e)(sx)
- T3200sx(c)
- T5100
- T5200(c)
- The “AT-INT.BIN” file is only for portables that also already have an IDE controller on board, only use this if you want to change out the internal HDD for another IDE drive or adapter. The original Toshiba BIOS has a lot of restrictions when it comes to HDD’s, it often only supports a few specific Conner disks. With this configuration the BIOS on our board will also control the internal IDE controller therefore bypassing the restrictions of the original Toshiba BIOS.
- T1600 (not /40 model, it doesn't have an IDE controller)
- T3100e
- T3200sx(c)
- T5100
- T5200(c)
Flashing a configuration to ROM.
- Make sure the config (.BIN) file is in the same directory as the Flash utility.
- Run the following command:
FLASH “CFG.BIN” “base-address”- With “CFG.BIN” being the configuration you want to flash.
- With “base-address” being the base address for the ROM, “C800” on my board.
- EXAMPLE:
FLASH XT.BIN C800
- After Flashing is done, reboot.
Editing a Configuration.
This is only for if you want to change something about the pre-configured files I've made, for example: change the default boot order.
- Run “XTIDECFG.COM” to open the configuration editor.
- Open the configuration you want to edit with the “Load BIOS from file” option.
- Change the configuration as you like.
- use "Save BIOS back to original file"
- Exit the configuration editor.
- Now you can flash the configuration.
IMPORTANT: after editing a configuration always use the “Save BIOS back to original file” option, do not try to flash from within the Configuration program. Use the stand alone Flash utility as described above.
Soundcard
The soundcard portion is a copy of Texelec's excellent Resound 2card.
I made some small changes to allow for IO address selection, based on "spark2k06" Internal OPL3 board.
Schematic
Joystick adapter
The joystick portion is schematically the same as IBM's Game Control Adapter. I did only use SMD parts instead of TRH for the board layout to save space.
Schematic
Ethernet controller
Intro
This is still a work in progress, although the hardware has been finalised I do still need to do some more testing and software configuring.
To have full compatibility with all Toshiba models (like T1100+, T1200 and T2100) the ISA bus of the card has been limited to 8-bit, Therefore the NE2000 compatible ethernet chipset isn't fully compatible with the 16-bit NE2000.
However, thanks to the vintage computer community there's now a patched NE2000 packet driver available for 8-bit DOS systems. https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/ne2000-packet-drivers-for-8-bit-slots.41507/
A DOS packet driver like this will probably be enough for many people, especially combined with the Brutman mTCP stack.
More info and a quick start guide coming soon.
Update: As of v0.6.0 the ELKS Linux now also has an 8-bit compatible NE2000 driver.
Schematic
