Toshiba T3200SX - Playing an EXPENSIVE Game of RAM Roulette - A Game I Keep LOSING!

[@80sCompaqPC]

Damn, I really wish I had an extra set I could modify, test and send to you! I do wish you luck on getting it worked out.

[@ravioliburger3182]

This is one of those things where it seems like you knew what you were getting into. Some projects are just difficult.

[@bbishoppcm]

I thought I did!

[@XeonProductions]

Also check the solder joints on the memory slots.

[@nexarian2523]

Perhaps you've already considered/tried this but In the maintenance manual for your T3200SX- it says the memory board attaches to the system board via a 100 Pin I/F connector. Have you tried to re-seat / clean those contacts? Perhaps you have the correct memory but an oxidized connection or two is preventing the system from properly addressing it?

[@jusk2ru]

Sound like something is up with the motherboard. Maybe you could get in touch with someone who owns the machine (a difficult task, I know) and ask them to test out some of your ram modules. Also if you got this machine without ram, maybe the previous owner uninstalled the ram because he was having the exact same issue.

[@leonfranklin1554]

I feel your pain! I have two sticks of 1MB HITACHI HB56G19B-7B 30 pin RAM. I believe it's 70 nanosecond Parity RAM. I'd happily mail them to you if they are any use (I am in The UK though).

[@bbishoppcm]

Do these work in the t3200sx?

[@MadITGeek]

Hmmm it really is good at being difficult isn't it? I wonder since the memory doesn't seem to be standard (since you where talking about pin modding it to make it Toshiba happy) I wonder if putting "normal" sticks in sent power down the wrong pin and broke something on the motherboard. Or, maybe there is a configuration jumper that needs to be changed?

[@NJRoadfan]

386SX, so "standard" 30-pin SIMMs need to be installed in pairs for the 16-bit memory bus. The only other hope is finding a service manual with the RAM socket pinout to find out if its standard or not. Also, I have received bad 30-pin SIMM memory in the past from online vendors. I landed up using a Soundblaster AWE32 as a SIMM tester to figure out what sticks were bad (Creative has a tool to test the memory installed on the card). Totally ghetto, but I don't have a real SIMM tester and it worked!

[@swistedfilms]

I'm just hearing about this so I've not seen what you've tried before. Is it possible that the firmware checks the amount of installed memory and if it sees that there's too much installed it biffs? It might not be capable of addressing 3 megabytes. Maybe there's a modification to the firmware that needs to be made where that check isn't made? Or perhaps 3 megabytes is just too much for it no matter what you do?

[@bbishoppcm]

First

[@BeautifulAngelBlossom]

second

[@Goldiney]

Third ..?

[@jeffpolster8438]

I feel your desparation. however, I have whole machine for you with 4MB

[@bbishoppcm]

How much do you want for it? Drop me an email - bbishoppcm at gmail

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

I had similar fun trying to find 1gb DDR 1 ram for my thrift shop find Sony Vaio pentium 4 HT, I kept finding DDR2 sticks Is there any possibly it's a BIOS or jumper setting?

[@davidrodgers8531]

I had one of those years ago, sure I had to cut a track and put in a bodge wire to get std ram to work. Trace the pins on a working ram stick and compare it to one that doesn't work.

[@bbishoppcm]

I dont have any working ones

[@80sCompaqPC]

Some of those modules are a pain to do the pin 28 mod to, but it can usually be done. If you want, you can send me those Toshiba modules and I can take a look at modding them for you. Can’t make any guarantees I’ll be successful, but I’ll give it my best effort! I have a feeling those would work if modified.

[@bbishoppcm]

Well, just bought two more sets of RAM… reseated the board, no luck. If I send you ALL the ram I have, can you test them in yours? I’ll happily pay you for your time…

[@80sCompaqPC]

@@bbishoppcm Absolutely. I’d be happy to take a look at it all and test it out for you. Just send it to the address that was on the hinge I sent you, or if you don’t still have that I can email the address to you again.

[@bbishoppcm]

@@80sCompaqPC Can you send it to me? Thanks!

[@80sCompaqPC]

@@bbishoppcm Just sent you an email!

[@dooogides9176]

I saw like this computer in trash last week ,I was sad because it’s was in good condition hope someone use it not just crash it