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1520 so close to restored, need help

C

Cforce

New Member
Joined
May 18, 2016
Messages
7
Hi, I have a 1520 with the amber screen, modem and internal floppy.
I just replaced the cmos battery.

However, I still can't boot it.
It reads hard disk diagnostic failure.
Followed by boot error over and over.

I put in a dos 3.3 rom application chip, and it boot off that, as in the picture.

Idk of the hard disk that is there is salvageable. Perhaps it just needs a reinstall of the os?

That said, I don't have any grid dos 3.3 disks.
Any way I could buy a copy off of anyone here?

IMG_20241018_210823.jpg
 
I think your HDD is a toast. It may be repairable but switch to compact flash will be more reliable and work better in long term. You can also install DOS 6.22 on it before you install it in your GRiDCase.
I like 6.22 because when I switch between XMS and EMS I can boot with HIMEM.SYS or EMM.SYS.
You want CF card that is less than 512MB, for instance 512MB industrial Transcend on Amazon.
You need ROMBuster to patch your EPROM https://classicbits.net/coding-and-software/my-software/rombuster/
And if you want to update your BIOS to the latest, I have created patch files for ROMBuster and posted them here https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/finished-restoring-my-gridcase-1520.1248950/post-1399646
 
Updating the EPROM sounds risky?
I also kind of hate going from away from the original software/hardware. But it does sound enticing.

With DOS 6.22... can you also run windows 3.11? That would be wild on the amber screen.
 
Well, you need to erase (using UV) and reprogram (using cheap minipro/TL866 for instance) EPROMs. You can buy EPROMs on ebay cheaply (try findin fast ones, like 100ns) and keep original ROMs in case you want to reinstall them later. Sadly I didn't find any 16K flash chips yet which would be more convenient.
I am running Windows 3.1 on DOS 6.22. Not sure if 3.11 would work, I think it needs 386. Win 3.11 has ATT 640x400 driver, and looks glorious with all the dithering on plasma. You could also use 32K flash chips and program both upper and lower part with the same data.
Actually it would be cool to check if A15 is wired up to BIOS, then maybe lower 32K could be used for something like XT IDE BIOS or other stuff.
 
0xDEADBEEF said:
Well, you need to erase (using UV) and reprogram (using cheap minipro/TL866 for instance) EPROMs. You can buy EPROMs on ebay cheaply (try findin fast ones, like 100ns) and keep original ROMs in case you want to reinstall them later. Sadly I didn't find any 16K flash chips yet which would be more convenient.
I am running Windows 3.1 on DOS 6.22. Not sure if 3.11 would work, I think it needs 386. Win 3.11 has ATT 640x400 driver, and looks glorious with all the dithering on plasma. You could also use 32K flash chips and program both upper and lower part with the same data.
Actually it would be cool to check if A15 is wired up to BIOS, then maybe lower 32K could be used for something like XT IDE BIOS or other stuff.
Click to expand...

0x,
Would you be open to doing the compact flash swap for me? I send it to you, etc? For a price or something?

I have a feeling I would mess up this massive switch.
 
Sending it there and back will probably be expensive. Lets take it to some chat like Discord and I can guide you when working on it. It is not really that hard. I'DM you.
 
Conventional Memories said:
What model HDD is it? Most of these are repairable.
Click to expand...
Hello Conventional Memories, I noticed you are also in Belgium, and I am interested in talking about your Toshiba projects. On your website Conventional Memories Wiki, I don't find your contact details. On what E-Mail address can you be reached? I have some questions about your projects, e.g. why you don't support the standard T3200. Kind regards, Pascal
 
pascalsweden said:
Hello Conventional Memories, I noticed you are also in Belgium, and I am interested in talking about your Toshiba projects. On your website Conventional Memories Wiki, I don't find your contact details. On what E-Mail address can you be reached? I have some questions about your projects, e.g. why you don't support the standard T3200. Kind regards, Pascal
Click to expand...
Try messaging them directly via PM. They may even get an email notification about it.
 
So.... I broke the screen hinge on the right side, and the aluminum shield that goes around it, where the screen turns.

Any way to replace the parts there?
 
I swear one day I will model it in Onshape, try some plastic prints and publish it.
Then one can send it to print in metal on some professional printing websites.
Most of my hinges are messed up at least partially. FWIW I did model the plastic "lubricating" cap that goes on the screen hinge.
 
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