NanTan Early 1990's laptops Guide (386/486/Pentium)

[pegas]

I received a second similar instance of the fma7500ac computer in my collection, in my opinion it is necessary to correct the table, which is at the head of this message. Both versions of these computers have an AMD 5x86 133 MHz processor, an ESS688F sound card, an active TFT LCD screen, but unfortunately an additional 4 MB memory module is installed on only one of them. Also, on both computers, traces of factory intervention in the motherboard in the form of soldering several conductors are visible. I also saw on a trading website a similar fma7500ac with a passive dstn matrix.

 

[pegas]

Nan Tan FMA8200m, a laptop based on an intel overdrive processor DX20DPR66 with a monochrome screen and a passive matrix, on board built-in 4 MB of memory, there is a 12 MB memory module, video-chip Cirrus Logic with 1 MB video memory, BIOS Award, and a Proton brand power supply with 4 pins. Sound chips is absent...

 

[creepingnet]

I wish I could edit the first post I made and add more pictures because there's a whole heck of a lot more of these machines. I have them on my website at - https://creepingnet.neocities.org/computer/mydocs/hardware/nantanmain - which I also have two extended pages for the FMA3500 and FMAK9200/FMAP9200 models - which I now own one of each. So I will detail those since I've gotten to know them more.

(Left->Right): NanTan Notebook FMA3500 (Mine, 2003), BSi NB486DX33C (Mine, 2022), FMA3540 (from e-bay, 2022), and a Active Matrix FMA3500C from a Russian Website ​

FMA3500 SERIES - The FMA3500 Series were basically a 486 version of the FMA3300 and came in the same. They came in both white and gray, and were available with all three available screen technologies of the time: a black and white Casio 9.4" STN monochrome display, a Sanyo LC-533-22NTK 9.4" DSTN Color Display, and an unknown Active Matrix Display (far right). They also are known as the "486 DX Professional" laptop because that's what's printed on the top of the case above the keyboard on all versions. Non Trackball versions have it on the right, trackball versions on the left.

Model Designations are as Follows
FMA3500 - i486 DX-33, 4MB RAM (SIP), no trackball, b&w Casio 9.4" STN Display, 4-pin power
FMA3500SX - i486 SX-33, 4MB RAM (SIP) no trackball, b&w Casio 9.4" STN Display, 4-pin power
FMA3500C - i486 DX-33, 8MB RAM (SIP), Trackball, color DSTN 9.4" display, barrel jack
FMA3500C - i486 DX-33, 8MB RAM (SIP), trackball, color Active Matrix 9.4" Display, barrel jack
FMA3540 - i486 DX2/SX/DX, SIP RAM, no trackball, b&w 9.4" STN Display, unknown power

Graphics is provided via a Cirrus Logic CL GD-542X series graphics chipset with 1MB of VRAM. The color versions have a daughtercard for their associated video hardware. The 3540 model was a later model likely designed to offer the DX2/50MHz CPU - so it has a 25MHz bus instead of a 33MHz one.

Memory is upgraded via 4 SIP slots inside the case. Theoretically the maximum is 32MB of RAM. You might be able to replace these with 30 pin SIMM Slots.

Expansion was provided by removing the 12 volt 3600mAH NiCad battery from the back via 2 thumbscrews, and then attaching a docking station attachment instead that gave the computer two ISA Slots to add cards to. This unit attaches to a proprietary expansion connector on the back of hte laptop which may be ISA compatible.

These were sold as the BSi NP486DX33, BSi NP486SX33, BSi NP486DX266, and BSi NP486DX250, as well as many others are seen with Highscreen, Eurocom, and Ergo branding on them.

(Left->Right): Duracom 5110D (mine, 2005), DFI Mediabook SX25 (mine, 2022), NanTan FMAK9200C (mine, 2023)​

FMAK9200 & FMAP9200 - The FMAK9200 and FMAP9200 (not sure what the K and P means) were "Multimedia" laptop computers, and may have similar models in the 9400 series if parts cross referencing is any sort of indication. They feature a mid-sized trackball with two nice clickey buttons above it intended below the keyboard, and a somewhat spongey rubber dome keyboard.

They use a "Socket 1" type setup underneath the keyboard but it is 3.3v compatible, I had a 486 DX4-100 of both AMD and Intel varieties in here. They are often found with also a 486 SX-25, DX-33, or DX2-66 made by intel or Cyrix. It seems AMD CPU's have some issues with these. However they are screamin' fast even at DX2 speed.

The graphics are provided via a Cirrus Logic CL-GD 6440 1MB SVGA Graphics chipset with a choice between a Casio 9.4" STN monochrome display, or a 10.3" Sanyo LCD in DSTN. I don't think these were made in active matrix. The screen does not turn off with the lid closed - so the computer can heat the screen and possibly damage or improve it. It seems the latter is the case with mine. This chipset has some problems, such as corrupt text in Sim City (fixed by using TSRFONT.COM from Cirrus), and 3D Body Simulator won't even work with this system (Edutainment title teaching anatomy).

Sound is provided via a ESS488 audio chipset. This is a SoundBlaster 2.0 compatible chipset with OPL/2, and outputs in mono only despite stereo headphones working with it. It also provides ports for line-in and microphone in. It does act up in some games (Monkey Island in particular) which can be fixed with a patch. Internal speaker DOES NOT go through the audio jack/headphones unfortunatley. There is also a startup "chime" that you can enable and disable either through the BIOS, or through a row of eight DIP Switches found under the proprietary memory slot (4MB is on-board, 8MB is a common config). The DIP switches also apparently configure IRQs, Memory Addresses, and other stuff for the Hard Disk controller and on-board ESS 488 sound card, as well as I think there's a "burn in" mode. DIP Switch #1 (closest to screen) turns the Chime off.

The CPU can be configured via a series of Jumpers found next to the CMOS battery (button cell), I have not figured all of the jumper settings out yet. I wish I had manuals for this stuff TBH. Would be need to see the system builders who fleshed these out back in the day from their perspective.

All of these models had 2x 16-bit Type II PCMCIA Slots with an apparent gap up top to allow one Type III sized card and one type II card. It seems most of these I've run across have Toshiba 250MB HDDs that are still running strong at 30 years old (I still have the one from my current NanTan).

Power was provided via a 19.5vdc Power Supply, or via 2 9.6vdc 1800mAH NiMH Batteries located just under the palm wrest - each with their own individual charging status lights, and the built-in microphone is located in-between them.

I have seen these sold as generic (like my current one), DFI MediaBook, Duracom (5110D), Liberty, Hyperbook, Milkyway Myriadbook, and the Prostar 9200M (which was the first one I bought back in '03).

 

[ajacocks]

Would this post completely replace the first one?

- Alex

 

[creepingnet]

Would this post completely replace the first one?

- Alex

It'd be part of an addition. Maybe I'll write up what would replace it first. There's so much new info I got. Last night I even got the memory card part numbers off the satech website for the 9200 model. Part of the problem is getting pictures added since I'm limited to 10 total. Maybe separate into individual models? Did not realize how much of a contribution I was making when I posted this initially - or how much of a rabbit hole I was going down. Just the number of systems NanTan built alone is kind of making my head spin.

 

[ajacocks]

Ok, let me know when you want to change it, and we can update the first post.

- Alex

 

[creepingnet]

Here's The Update - Everything That I want to change - is under the horizontal line. I also keep the information at my website at - https://creepingnet.neocities.org/computer/mydocs/hardware/nantanmain - which is sort of a work in progress the whole time as I find out more. As for those wondering why I'm so interested in these things, it just seems the pool of vintage laptops (and PC Compatibles in general) is a lot wider than a lot of people think because they mostly focus on IBM, Toshiba, and Compaq, forgetting about some of the interesting small-fries that existed - those have always intrigued me. Below is the updated model list, simplifed for this post.

---

MODEL	SPECS/DETAILS	SOLD AS
FMA2100	80286 Harris CPU 8/16MHz 10 Function Keys STN Backlit Monochrome Display 2x NiCad Batteries	A.M.S. 286 System
FMA2200	80386SX	Bitwise 386SX/16, MicroTelesis NBA386SX, NMS (National MicroSystems) 386SX/16
FMA2500	80386SX
FMA2500	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA2800	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA3140	386SX/16 Picture procured from PCMAG May need some citation	Aqualine NT33, ACT Tempo 386SX, Everex Tempo LX, Sanyo MBC-18NB, Zeos Nortebook 386
FMA3300	386DX-33 NiCad Battery Pack SIP Memory? Thumbscrew Battery/Expansion	Aqualine KT33
FMA3500 FMA3500SX FMA3500C	486DX-33 486SX-33 12v NiCad Thumbscrew Battery Thumbscrew Docking Station w/2xISA Socket 1 Type CPU Socket Some 3500C have a trackball (left) SIP Memory No PCMCIA Came in Monochrome STN, Color DSTN, and Color TFT, came in both white AND gray	Aspen Aquiline 433 Eurocom ? Ergo 486DX-33 NoteBook II BSi NB486DX-33
FMA3530	486DX-25 486DX-33 486DX2-50 12v NiCad Thumbscrew Battery Thumbscrew Docking Station w/2xISA Socket 1 Type CPU Socket SIP Memory No PCMCIA	BSi NB486DX2-50
FMA3600	Pentium 60 Pentium 66 Active Matrix Screen Stereo Speakers Audio (unknown Chipset)	Aspenta 60, Aspenta 66, BSi NP3656T, FutureTech FM366T
FMA5500 FMA5500SX FMA5500C	486SX-25 486DX-33 486DX2-50
FMA6000	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA6100	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA6400	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA6500	486DX-25 486DX-33
FMA6530	486DX-25 486DX-33
FMA7000	8/16MHz - 286?
FMA7500	486DX-25 486DX-33 Also could have other 486 Chips ESS688F Sound Chip
FMA7600	Pentium 60 ESS Audio System (based on previous)
FMA8100	386DX-20
FMA8200	486DX-33 4-pin Power Supply Trackball Also Labeled the "NB8900" Two batteries	Duracom TravelPro FMA8200, MicroExpress 8266, Sager FMA8200C
FMA86	Pentium (Socket 5/7 types)	BSi NP8657D, BSi NP8662T, MicroExpress NP8600-P120
FMAx9200 FMAP9200 FMAK9200	Socket 1/2/3/6 486 CPUs Casio DSTN Monochrome 9.5" Sanyo DSTN Color 10.3" ESS488 AudioDrive w/ OPL/2 Intel PCMCIA Controller 2x PCMCIA Type II Ports Proprietary RAM RAM P/N: NB16M0061 (8MB) RAM P/N: NB16M0061 (16MB)	Prostar 9200M Duracom 5110D DFI MediaBook BSi NP9249D MicroExpress NB9266 Milkyway Myriadbook 4/66
FMA9400	486 DX-25 486 DX-33
FMA9420	486DX-25 486DX-33
FMA9500	486DX-25 486DX-33

 

[ajacocks]

First post updated. Let me know what you think.

- Alex

 

[RETRObasti]

Nan Tan FMA8200m, a laptop based on an intel overdrive processor DX20DPR66 with a monochrome screen and a passive matrix, on board built-in 4 MB of memory, there is a 12 MB memory module, video-chip Cirrus Logic with 1 MB video memory, BIOS Award, and a Proton brand power supply with 4 pins. Sound chips is absent...

Hello, is there a replacement for the keyboard and battery? The right side of my keyboard doesn't work and the battery is dead. Are there drivers for the notebook? Thank you so much.

 

[creepingnet]

Hello, is there a replacement for the keyboard and battery? The right side of my keyboard doesn't work and the battery is dead. Are there drivers for the notebook? Thank you so much.

If you could give me part numbers, they might cross-reference with the 9200. I believe I have drivers at my website now on the main page for the 8200 including the BIOS. I did some digging and archiving of everything I could find on the Wayback Machine on these laptops. Turns out NanTan had a website called http://www.kapok.com.tw (Kapok was their secondary brand they started using around 1993-1994 in the west, through the laptops still, at least for awhile, said NanTan Computer on the bottom).

CreepingNet's World

Downloads for Vintage Computers, Particularly those covered on this website.

creepingnet.neocities.org

 

[Lou2000]

Hi, I've a FMA3500. I'm fairly certain I've a 540mb Hard Disk, formatted as a 119mb Hard Disk. However BIOS doesn't show a 540mb option, are there any reliable BIOS updates that would allow for a 540mb Hard Disk?

 

[pegas]

Hello, is there a replacement for the keyboard and battery? The right side of my keyboard doesn't work and the battery is dead. Are there drivers for the notebook? Thank you so much.

Hi! Unfortunately, I do not know about possible replacement parts for these laptops. The most reliable option is to find the same defective (donor) laptop and rearrange the keyboard from it. Of course, you can try to replace the keyboard with another laptop model, but in my opinion, they are unlikely to be compatible. As a way out of this situation - use an external keyboard. Also, I do not have drivers for these laptops.

 

[RetroShare]

Hello.
Today, I’ve got my FMA3300 and wanted to share the PSU data.
Dos and Win3.1 is installed. If you need something, I could provide that too.

 

[Lou2000]

Hi, I've a FMA3500. I'm fairly certain I've a 540mb Hard Disk, formatted as a 119mb Hard Disk. However BIOS doesn't show a 540mb option, are there any reliable BIOS updates that would allow for a 540mb Hard Disk?View attachment 1262016

Worked it out now, the last two settings in the BIOS for the Hard Disk allow custom entry. Now set up at 540mb.

Probably going to replace the BIOS battery tonight and I've found somewhere who sell a replacement for the main battery.

I'd be very very happy had one of the screen hinges not snapped yesterday!

 

[i8088]

That's great. Perfect forum. Just enrolled here. Maybe it's possible to get this sorted out. I am also desparately searching for a schematic, but to no avail so far.

Maybe I am the one who bought that mainboard on Ebay recently

I also have one of these FMA3300 laptops (386DX40 by German brand Highscreen, purchased around 1994).

My battery also leaked and destroyed quite a few vias and traces. I did an extensive repair work which included unsoldering the resistance networks on the bottom side and wiring damaged vias directly, but at the end the laptop did not boot. With the second mainboard I did the same, but also without success yet.

@ferrytale: Maybe we can collaborate. Except the unlikely case that the three available mainboards have all the same defective connection, we could share information about connections. My idea would be to number all vias in the vicinity of the NiCd battery and to find all connections to and fro. Which is a terribly time-consuming job, of course, but winter is coming But doing this with two or even three mainboards should reveal the missing connections.

Question: How do you know that the VGA card is the culprit? Is there any diagnostics code that one can read out during boot?

BTW, my observation is that the LCD backlight does not start up, which means that it must be switched actively by the BIOS. It starts when I pull the PSU PCB off, and I found that one of the connectors turns the backlight off when I connect it to ground via 47R.

@i8088: As I believe my PSU is still OK, I have measured the voltages.

If you look from the upper side (where the LEDs look at you) and identify TP3, the pinout in the first row is (from left (TP3) to the right (4x green LEDs))

1: +5V
2: GND
3: GND
4: switches LED #2 on when pulled to ground
5: switches LED #4 on when pulled to ground
6: switches back light off when pulled to ground
7: 5V
8: -13.5V (rather weak, depends on current; maybe for RS232?)

In the row below it is:

1: switches LED #1 on when pulled to ground
2: 5V
3: GND
4: unknown, goes to TP3
5: switches LED #3 on when pulled to ground
6: unknown
7: +12V (maybe for RS232?)
8: GND

Thank you a lot! Btw, can you please say whether I identified correctly CN3 and CN4 as connectors for the screen power and CN6 as connector for the videocard?

 

[i8088]

Hello.
Today, I’ve got my FMA3300 and wanted to share the PSU data.
Dos and Win3.1 is installed. If you need something, I could provide that too.

View attachment 1262150

If you dont mind, can you please check whether CN3 and CN4 connectors in the notebook's internal power supply are connected to the screen and CN6 is connected to the videocard in your notebook?

 

[RetroShare]

Worked it out now, the last two settings in the BIOS for the Hard Disk allow custom entry. Now set up at 540mb.

Probably going to replace the BIOS battery tonight and I've found somewhere who sell a replacement for the main battery.

I'd be very very happy had one of the screen hinges not snapped yesterday!

Is there a cadmium battery inside the notebook?

 

[Lou2000]

Hi! Unfortunately, I do not know about possible replacement parts for these laptops. The most reliable option is to find the same defective (donor) laptop and rearrange the keyboard from it. Of course, you can try to replace the keyboard with another laptop model, but in my opinion, they are unlikely to be compatible. As a way out of this situation - use an external keyboard. Also, I do not have drivers for these laptops.

Which battery?

Main battery, really easy to rebuild with 2 of these 5 cell sticks.

Drivers, I'm running DOS 6.22 and Windows 3.1 and I didn't need any drivers. What specifically did you want the drivers for?

The CMOS battery is a pain in the ####. It's too close to a peripheral port and so you can't really get a good solder without removing the peripheral port, which is some major solder and resoldering. I've tried my best to replace the CMOS battery, but failed, just can't get enough access to the negative terminal to solder nicely. I tried a rough solder with what space I had but hasn't worked.

 

[Lou2000]

Is there a cadmium battery inside the notebook?

When you say inside, do you mean the CMOS? Yes the CMOS is 3.6 Nicd. Also the external battery is a 12v nicd. So yes both contain cadmium.

 

[Lou2000]

At the weekend I noticed that when I switched on my 3500 (monochrome) the screen flickered like mad. I managed to adjust the brightness and contrast so the flicker was bearable and then after about 5 mins it was gone so didn't think anything about it. Monday, Tuesday all was fine. Yesterday the flicker was back, again for a few mins. Depending on how the brightness and contrast is set the flicker is literally as if the screen is off and on, not just a mild wave. As I say you can adjust the brightness and contrast so the flicker isn't so bad and then stops.

Anyone else had this? I'm worried it might get worse and worse. If it does I'll have to scrap it for spared.