Original Message
Name: Derdup
Date: August 8, 2001 at 03:05:49 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
Comment:
Hello
The story so far...
Toshiba T1800 gives me an "HDC Error" & then locks up at start-up! It had been left un-used (& un-charged) for some months.
Things I've tried:
I've run its Setup program (Test3) from its A: drive. This programme includes some diagnostic tests which it passed OK, EXCEPT for the HDD test...I got the following message: ABORTED 805101
Test3 also allows me to view & edit the system setup. This all appears to be as it should be. The Hard disk IS enabled. I tried SAVING & RE-BOOTING...no change
I read somwhere that replacing the CMOS batteries is recommended in these old machines, might this be the problem or is it more serious??
O well...if theres anyone out there who still gives a damn about these antiques, I'm ALL ears.
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Response Number 1
Name: jboy
Date: August 8, 2001 at 04:52:57 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
Reply: (edit)
Can you tell if the hdd spins up at all?
If the CMOS battery's bad, and the laptop doesn't have an 'autodetect hdd' option in CMOS, you may need to enter the hdd values yourself - have you checked the values (cylinders, heads etc)?
If that's what's causing the hard drive controller error, it's not exactly serious (altho' the batteries can corrode sometimes), but a real pain, as the system can't store setup info.
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Response Number 2
Name: Derdup
Date: August 8, 2001 at 05:52:29 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
Reply: (edit)
A response? So SOON!
The hdd DOES seem to be spinning, I'm hearing noises & there's a "Disk in Use" (Cindicater light that lights up at the same time.
UPDATE: I went into System Setup again (using Test3.exe) & it doesn't allow me to dig very deep regarding Hdd settings, just ENABLE or DISSABLE.
However, I tried "Save & Reboot" again & something has changed! Test3 also has a "SYSTEM CONFIGURATION" option that displays the results of the T1800 self test, this now shows 1 Hard Disk is present...previously it recognised only the floppy drive.
I then ran the Diagnostic Test again but it still aborted at the HDD test, this time at 805120.
Is there a doctor in the house?
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Response Number 3
Name: jboy
Date: August 8, 2001 at 19:19:07 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
Reply: (edit)
Well... at least it spins - still, might be a dying HDD or a bad controller tho'. Does it keep time alright? - it is possible that a fresh CMOS battery will fix everything - no guarantees tho'.
Not too sure what's wrong then, laptops are odd beasts - possibly a PCMCIA issue, but that's just a guess.
Found a European support forum http://support.toshiba-tro.de/
but not too much else useful, maybe you could find a manual by visiting: http://www.motherboards.org
or some help by posting at: http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/cgi-bin/helpline.pl
or maybe you'll eventually get lucky here.
sorry :-(
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Response Number 4
Name: Derdup
Date: August 8, 2001 at 21:26:44 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
Reply: (edit)
Thanx for your efforts
I might try a new CMOS battery, just for the sheer fun of taking something apart ;)
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Response Number 5
Name: jboy
Date: August 8, 2001 at 21:31:15 Pacific
Subject: 386 Laptop HDC Error
