Intro
I started this site because I get a lot of questions about older model Toshiba laptops…ones that the company doesn't support anymore. So I thought I would share my knowledge with you.
This site is by no mean comprehensive or even comprehensible. I'm trying to cover everything about Toshiba 486 based machines. I don't have the time to add anything more to this site or answer tech questions, so what you see is what you get. Keep in mind the age of these machines and don't spend TOO much money improving them. You can get brand new laptops for less than $1000 these days. It's better to just have fun with them as they are and see what they can do.
I feel that though these machines are dated, they still run Windows95 or Linux quite well. With very inexpensive upgrades, they can still run decent word processing and web browsing software quite well. Because Toshibas are the best selling laptops, parts are easy to find. Best of all, they can be picked up for a song, and upgrades are very inexpensive as well. People underestimate the value of older notebooks as portable word processing and web browsing tools, which is all that most individuals (not companies) do even on new computers. They're great for people on the go or people who move around a lot, like college students. Desktop computers are so cumbersome to move around.
Help Us Out!
This online parts warehouse has EVERYTHING for your car at super prices! They even carry parts for my '71 BMW 2002. I've set up this link to advertise their current special which is usually a great deal. I use them all the time and can attest to their service. Clicking on the following link and ordering parts will qualify you for discounts and will generate revenue for us as well.
Menu
Toshiba first introduced the 486 processor on the T4400 model (a 486 SX-25 or DX-25) and the Satellite T1900 model (a 486 SX-20). The T4XXX (T4) series was at first the flagship of the 486 line, while the Satellite series T19XX (T19) was the value line. The Satellite value line continues even today, but the Satellite Pro (T24) replaced the T4 series as the flagship model.
As the Pentium models became prominent in the high end machines, Toshiba sold the 486 Satellite T21XX (T21) as a value machine. These were based on the newer dark gray case with the power supply built in, and with a central eraser-point mouse. All previous 486s were tan in color and had a separate power supply "brick".
It seems
Toshiba has seen fit to delete all useful specification files for all 486
machines. They still have the BIOS files thankfully, go to theofficial
Toshiba BIOS site,. I compiled all the spec files from Toshiba (before
they deleted them) into one
216kb .exe file. When you execute the file, it will expand into a bunch
of .spc files which can be read by opening them in Notepad.
Q: What different models of Toshiba 486s are there and are any parts interchangeable?
A: The following models shared basically the same case design, though few parts are truly interchangeable among models. They may look very similar, but I've found that Toshiba custom designs each model and the parts in general aren't interchangeable except the keyboards, hard disks, memory, battery, and sometimes the screens.
Chassis/Case:
T4 series: T4400, T4500, T4600, T4700, T4800,T4850, T4900
Satellite T19 series: T1900, T1910, T1950, T1960
Satellite T21 series: T2100, T2110, T2130, T2150 (sometimes these models end in "5" instead of "0", the "5" is a retail version of the same machine which contains more software)
Satellite
Pro T24 series: T2400, T2450
Q: How do I find out the specs on my particular Toshiba model, i.e. processor speed, battery type, SCSI capability, I/O addresses, etc.?
A:
Toshiba used to provide a very detailed list of specs for each 486 model.
I compiled all the spec files from Toshiba (before they rudely deleted
them) into one 216kb .exe
file. When you execute the file, it will expand into a bunch of .spc
files which can be read by opening them in Notepad.
Q: My Toshiba has a C, CS, or CT after the model number, what does this mean?
A: On most models you could choose dual-scan greyscale, dual-scan color, or active matrix color displays.
Q: Where are the memory cards located and are they interchangeable between models?CT indicates active matrix color (i.e. T4800CT or T1950CT) CS indicates dual-scan color, (i.e. T1950CS) no letters after the model number indicates greyscale (i.e. T4400 or T1950) C indicates either dual-scan color (T1900C and T1910C) or active matrix color (all other models)
A: Memory can be expanded in the T4, T19, or T24 series by inserting a credit-card size module into a slot either on the left or right side of the machine. The slot is covered by a tiny pull-down door. Toshiba 486 laptops come with either 4 or 8mb RAM on board, and can be expanded to a maximum of 20mb (models with 4mb on-board) or 24mb (those with 8mb). In other words, a 16mb expansion card is the max that any of them will take.
My experience is that memory cards may be exchanged between all 486 Toshibas except the T4400 model, which uses a weird voltage credit-card memory, and the T21 series, which uses a non-credit card style (and has a 32mb max).
The easiest
and cheapest way to get memory is Ebay.
Just do a search with your model name.
Q: What models share batteries, and who is the best source for replacements?
A: I did a lot of research and found that BuyComp also has the best prices on new aftermarket batteries. I have used their batteries for over a year and have been very satisfied. They stock most batteries for under $100. At these prices, I wouldn’t bother getting used ones "refurbished", that can be risky. You can find new ones on Ebay occasionally as well
The following models share batteries (as well as AC adapters/power bricks):
PA2429U: T1900,T1910,T1950,T1960,T4700,T4800,T4850,T4900,T2400,T2450. ($69 at BuyComp last check)
PA2413U: T4500, T4600 ($109)
PA2437U: T2100, T2110, T2130, T2150 ($69)
PA2407U:
T4400 (an odd, rare battery…cannot find aftermarket or refurbished ones
anywhere, let me know if you do)
Q: What models have the Quickport mouse connector to connect the Toshiba/Microsoft snap-on trackball?
A: They all used a BallPoint trackball for a mouse except the T4900, T21, and T24 series which have an eraser-point mouse, and the original T4400, which had an optional clip-on BallPoint mouse.
Q: Where can I buy parts for my machine? Toshiba's parts are too expensive.
A: The absolute best place to find anything for an old Toshiba (for cheap) is Ebay. You can find everything from parts machines (which usually go for dirt cheap) to screens, mainboards, batteries, hard drives and memory.
Q: How can I add a CDROM to my old Toshiba?
A:
All 486 Toshibas except the T4400 come with at least one PCMCIA expansion
slot. You can buy external CDROM drives that connect through that port,
but most are ridiculously expensive ($200 or more). You can find used ones
on Ebay
for cheaper than that.
Q: My hard drive is full, can it be upgraded easily? Do I need to upgrade the BIOS?
A: Yes, all of these machines use a standard 2.5" laptop hard drive. Machines that came new with a drive of less than 500mb will need to update their BIOS from the official Toshiba BIOS site, or run a drive configuration utility like EZ-Drive that comes with most new hard drives.
In all 486 Toshibas, the hard drive resides right under the keyboard in the center. The T4 series from the T4700 on have easy access to the hard drive. On the front of the machine there is a door in the center that can be removed with two screws. Unscrew two more screws on the bottom under the hard drive to remove it.
The T21 series has a hard drive under the palm rest where the battery resides, and is also easily replaced. Just turn the computer upside down and remove the four phillips screws just behind the memory door. Then pop up the palmrest by unsnapping the two clips and pulling the palmrest toward you. It should then open like the hood of a car. Remove the plastic covers on the side of the laptop in front of the hard drive. There is an aluminum cover over the hard drive, but you should be able to wiggle the hard drive free without removing it (it's just a heat sheild).
On the T19
series and pre T4700 T4 series you have to unscrew the panel surrounding
the keyboard and unsnap it from the lower case…this can be tricky, they
are on very tight. Don’t try it yourself unless you don’t mind cracking
the keyboard surround (just cosmetic damage). I cracked one before I got
the talent for removing them perfectly. Then remove the keyboard
and the aluminum panel under it (about 5 screws) and you can replace the
hard drive.
Q: What do I need to run Windows 95, 98, or Office 97 on my 486 Toshiba?
A: Most of these machines were set up from the factory to run Windows 3.1 (remember that? ick!), but all of them will run Windows 95 quite quickly. To upgrade to Windows 95, I would recommend getting the 16mb RAM card (to push your machine to 20 or 24mb RAM) and having at least a 340mb hard drive. Win95 will work OK (but a little slow) with 8mb RAM and 120mb hard disk if you use the minimum install option. You will still have room for Netscape 3 and version 6 of WordPerfect or Word. I've found that installing Win95 service release 1 takes up a lot less hard drive space than service release 2 (OSR-2) and runs faster on the older machines.
As for Office 97 or Corel Suite 9, you need at least 16mb RAM and 500mb hard drive for it to work with acceptable speed. Again, after installing these suites you will have room for Netscape 3 but little else…if you want to run more programs get a larger hard drive.
My advice is to stay away from Windows 98 and ME on these machines. Microsoft adds more "features" (and the bugs that always come with them) with every release that takes up more disk space and slows the system down. It's designed for computers with about 64mb RAM and at least a Pentium II and won't run very well on less. Also, it won't even let you install it unless you have at least a 66mhz processor and 16mb of RAM. Stick with Win 95, it runs better on these older machines.
Q: Is there any way I can disable, change or even remove the BIOS password? I don't know the password.
A: No. You must know the password to get into the BIOS and disable the password. It's there to protect the laptop from theives. If you got it legitimately, you should ask the previous owner for the password. If you simply forgot it, you can disassemble the entire laptop and remove EVERY battery you find, let it sit that way unplugged for about a month, and MAYBE it will forget the password. In other words, it's more hassle than it's worth...consider it a paperweight. Word to the wise: don't enable BIOS password unless you face serious security risks and you will NEVER forget the password.
Q: I can't access my BIOS settings, how can I get into the BIOS without the TSETUP program that came with the machine new?
A: You can access the BIOS in any Toshiba by holding down the "Esc" key immediately after turning the laptop on. It will say "Error. Please press F1 and check system settings". Press F1 and you will enter the BIOS.
Q:My battery won't hold a charge…the orange battery light flashes or doesn't even light whenever I attempt to charge it. Is there any way to fix it?
A: Try running the computer from the power cord with the battery in also for a few hours. Shut the computer down as you usually do and see if the battery light glows a steady orange. It seems that the machines trickle charge the batteries while they're on, and fast charge them when they are off. The slow charge sometimes revitalizes the batteries in my experience. If this doesn’t work, you will need to buy a new battery…check out the list above.
Q:My Toshiba tries to boot up, then dies and flashes an orange light or gives a P30 or P31 error. What can be done to fix it?
A: This problem plagues examples of all Toshiba 486 models, but the T4 and T19 models seem to have this problem the most . There’s good news and bad news…bad news first. According to Toshiba, there’s supposedly no way to fix it short of replacing the entire lower system board. The power supply brick is not the problem. Due to age and heat, components on the mainboard begin to fail or malfunction. My guess is that a voltage regulator is over-sensitive and is rejecting the power input, but I have no way of proving that. The cost of the system board is more than any 486 Toshiba is worth.
The good news is that most machines can still be usable even with this problem, but you need a battery that will last for about an hour. Charge the battery and unplug the power supply from the laptop. Boot it up from the battery only…the power supply must NOT be plugged in. It should work normally now. If it still cuts out, then the board is toast and the laptop is good only for a paperweight.
If it boots
up to Windows or Linux, then you are in luck! You can at least run the
machine for as long as the battery lasts. After about an hour, try plugging
in the power supply. Most machines will now run fine off of the AC power
supply, but some will cut off. If yours cuts off, you are limited to just
running it for as long as the battery lasts.
If you still
have questions that I haven't addressed, you can try your luck at the official
Toshiba support site. Please don't write to me anymore, unfortunately
I don't have time to respond. Hope you enjoyed the FAQ!
