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

[3lectr1c]

What do those two look like?

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

For anyone that needs the BIOS of the FMA3300A, I got you. Bare in mind that this is designated for the 3300A, and I'm not sure if it would work in a standard 3300, since I don't have one to test (although if anyone here is wanting to get rid of one, hit me up, only prerequisite is that you're in Europe). The only difference seems to be that the A has 2 serial ports, where the 3300 has only 1 so it might work.

The EPROM (yes, "UV erasable") is a Fairchild Semiconductor 27C010 - only problem is it doesn't have a window for you to erase it! Instead, it has a plastic knockout of where it was supposed to be. I haven't bothered to look into alternatives, but I'm sure they're plentiful. Besides, this chip is discontinued, so tough luck getting it anywhere for a decent price.

Also, using the XGecu software I had to disable the "Check ID" option for it to read properly, despite the fact that it is available in the chip menu.

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

Here's all the components of the system, photographed:

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

If someone here wants to redistribute the BIOS and optionally these images, feel free to do so. (just make sure Award doesn't find out about the BIOS, hehe ;-)).

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

Also, removing the IDE and floppy ribbons was extremely easy: just use force and pull them out. The ribbons themselves, not the plastic part, which is the connector.

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

And now here's some of the display. Sanyo LCM-5483-24NTK. Also included is a better angle at the broken metal hinge support. It's a very small part, and tomorrow I'll attempt to redesign it. (one shortcoming with the forum software is that images can't be reorganized, by the way).

 

[3lectr1c]

Someone on a discord server I'm in extracted the Nan Tan 9200's boot chime from the BIOS ROM for fun, so here it is

 

[3lectr1c]

And here's the whole BIOS ROM as a .wav file - for those who prefer to listen to their 1s and 0s in audio form

 

[alectrona6400]

Oh yeah, thank me later. It's actually quite simple to extract sounds from just about anything although sometimes you'll need to mess with different settings. You can import raw data as audio in Audacity and you'll have several options to play with... if something doesn't work out just rinse and repeat. I actually managed to extract almost every Apple chime this way (except for the early ones which were sequenced in a manner that don't use PCM, e.g. Macintosh II and LC). I'll probably have a thread on 68kMLA (or here if that works) about those extracted chimes (and also debunking that Apple Sounds website in a few ways... lol).
The NanTan 9200 sound was implemented as an unsigned 8-bit PCM file uncompressed in the BIOS at 22050hz... in fact it takes up almost half of the space on the BIOS chip!
Thanks for sharing
-Katheryn

 

[3lectr1c]

…in fact it takes up almost half of the space on the BIOS chip

“Hey boss, so I have some bad news. Those new high capacity ROM chips we paid extra for for the 9200 BIOS? Turns out the Award BIOS program only takes up like, half the space”

“Well now - we’re not just going to put those dollars to waste now are we? Think of something useful to put in that extra space!”

*magician sound effect*

 

[xrtp]

Seeking information from anyone that has a 9200AM/AD/AT. If you have any of these models with a DX2/66, I'd really appreciate it if you could post a photo of your jumper/dip switch configuration. I have a 9200AD that came with missing jumpers, no display, etc. After a reflow on the VGA chip and installing extra jumpers, I was able to get it to POST, but the DX2/66 is running at 50 MHz. I did try flipping some of the dip switches and was able to get it running at 80 MHz briefly. I'd rather run it at 66 MHz; I'm not sure how stable 80 MHz would be.

From looking around, it seems that the 9200 series had three different motherboards: 9200, 9200A, and a third I've seen in Tesco TN4 branded units.

 

[3lectr1c]

This is the best I can find (from a manual we have) but it might be for a different version of the 9200 motherboard.

 

[3lectr1c]

On a further check, I do believe this is correct for your model. Here's an image made by @creepingnet showing the same thing:

 

[xrtp]

Thanks for the info. I was the guy that sent the manual over to you and creepingnet via email :D

Unfortunately, with my 9200AD the motherboard isn't the same as the 9200M/D/T. The jumper block has 32 pins with 7 jumpers and is labelled J13.

 

[3lectr1c]

Ahhh, that's you. Gotta love Nan Tan's constant revisions. They never stopped, 2000s Clevos are the same way...
Not much I can offer unfortunately.

 

[xrtp]

No worries. I do appreciate the quick reply with info, though. It's surprising that they're still around and selling laptops with upgradable CPUs, etc.

I eventually figured it out. I didn't bother trying one of the configurations posted in one of the Tesco TN4 pics I posted. Whipped up a little something inspired by creepingnet's pixel art chart showing the settings I've found so far.

 

[njroadfan]

I have a copy of that boot chime in high quality. That file is actually from a sound card driver bundle!

 

[JamieDoesStuff]

Seeking information from anyone that has a 9200AM/AD/AT. If you have any of these models with a DX2/66, I'd really appreciate it if you could post a photo of your jumper/dip switch configuration. I have a 9200AD that came with missing jumpers, no display, etc. After a reflow on the VGA chip and installing extra jumpers, I was able to get it to POST, but the DX2/66 is running at 50 MHz. I did try flipping some of the dip switches and was able to get it running at 80 MHz briefly. I'd rather run it at 66 MHz; I'm not sure how stable 80 MHz would be.

From looking around, it seems that the 9200 series had three different motherboards: 9200, 9200A, and a third I've seen in Tesco TN4 branded units.

Awww, how much I'd love to have one of those! They seem like very nice machines.

Someone on a discord server I'm in extracted the Nan Tan 9200's boot chime from the BIOS ROM for fun, so here it is

Hmmm, what discord server? Certainly sounds fun

I have a copy of that boot chime in high quality. That file is actually from a sound card driver bundle!

Could you upload it here?

 

[3lectr1c]

Hmmm, what discord server? Certainly sounds fun

It's a small private server, sorry
New people joining isn't up to me.

 

[creepingnet]

Nice to see my pixel art has come in handy.