Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

[Philip Nienhuis]

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 21:38:19 +0200
From: Philip Nienhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?
Jon DuQueno wrote:

First of all, please use plain text rather than formatted text. The font 
size in your message is too big for me.
BTW It seems you use some Japanese character encoding...... (that's what 
Mozilla Mail tells me)

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:38:55 +0100
From: "Jon DuQueno" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Got a cheap 20GB IBM TravelStar today :) But having a
little trouble formatting it and installing win 98 (I don't really know what
I'm doing) :(

Well you've made a mistake many beginners make (see below). You chose 
the wrong DOS boot disk.
Don't worry, it will be all right.

I deleted all the partitions using desktop->Win XP->computer management.
Then I tried creating a new partition using a Fdisk from a Dos 6.22 boot
disk in the libretto (downloaded from www.bootdisk.com). I thought this
would give me the max primary partition size (8GB ish) but when I created a
maximum primary partition it was only 2GB :( 

Obviously you implicitly / unknowingly chose FAT16 for the partition 
*type*. DOS 6.22 doesn't know anything about FAT32.
FAT16 has a maximum partition size of 2 GB.

So I then tried creating a
7.8GB Fat32 partition in desktop->Win XP->computer management instead. I
then copied my old Win98se CD to the c: drive, put drive back in the
libretto and booted from my dos disk. But it wouldn't let me switch to the
c: drive... error "Invalid drive specification".
> Should this work, what am I doing wrong?

Problem is, DOS 6.22 won't be able to access FAT32. You need a boot 
floppy for Win98 or Win95 OSR2.
Nevertheless, using that DOS 6.22 boot disk you could make the 
C:-partition "active" (proper term: bootable). WinXP doesn't allow you 
to make a partition bootable, unlike DOS FDISK which does allow that.

Right: Put your new HD back in your Lib70.
Then, get a Win98 boot disk (e.g., boot98.exe for Win98 OEM from 
www.bootdisk.com), make a boot floppy from that and use it to boot your 
Lib. Use the FDISK on that boot floppy to wipe all partitions and try to 
make the biggest primary partition you can with your new HD *inside* the 
Lib70 (answer "yes" to large HD support). Format the partition (it will 
be FAT32).

(the reason to do it inside the LIB is that you then can make the 
maximum partition size below the hibernation area.)

Next, put the HD back in the desktop, boot the desktop also from that 
Win98 boot floppy. Use FDISK from the Win98 boot floppy to make an 
extended partition using all the rest of the HD space.

(the reason to do this next step in the desktop is that your desktop's 
BIOS (hopefully) doesn't suffer from the limitations that the Lib's BOS 
has w.r.t. HD size.)

In the new extended partiton, assign the first 50 MB to a temporary 
logical partition - this will be the future hibernation space.
Then make logical partitions as you like, e.g. the 12 GB you suggested. 
Format this/these partition(s) (it/they will be FAT32)

Only then delete the first 50 MB logical partition. You will have a 
"hole" there.
If FDISK doesn't allow that, you can delete the 50 MB partition using 
WinXP's disk management.

If all is well, your HD can now be used inside the Lib70 without use of 
EZ-drive.
Before you put it back, boot into WinXP and copy the Win98 CD contents 
onto the logical partition.

And remember: after you've done the above, NEVER EVER again use FDISK 
*inside* your Lib70. If you do, your extended partition might become 
invisible - to be repaired only inside your desktop.
(To put it more exact: it is the combination of the Libretto BIOS and 
DOS FDISK which should be avoided at all cost.)

Is it possible to use a 8GB primary
partition?  

Sure.

> Does it need to be formatted as fat16 (Win XP->computer
management didn't give me fat16 option)?

8 GB can't be formatted FAT16. Period.
Anything > 2 GB must be either FAT32 or NTFS, and the latter is only 
usable for Windows NT, 2000 or XP. So for Win98 your only option is FAT32.
DOS FDISK (the proper version, from the Win98 bootdisk) should ask you 
for "large hard disk support" or something like that. Answering Yes to 
that question will make your partition FAT32.

Do I ned to be using EZ-drive？

Not yet.

Does Win XP->computer management use 1,000 or 1,024 when specifying
partition sizes?

Good question :-)  I don't know, I'll have to look (but not now). Simply 
try the procedure I've described above, it'll probably work out OK 
without you having to know such silly numbers.

Ideally I want a 8GB partition for Win98 (C:) 100mb for hibernation data and
12GB for a second partition (D:). Libretto bios version is 6.20.

Should be possible.

I have tried searching the archive and www.silverace.com/libretto/ but can't
find an idiot proof guide for setting up 8GB+ drive on the 70CT, please
help.

You're not an idiot, you've just hit one of the many many many gotcha's 
which exist in computer land. It's not your fault that things are not 
that easy and that you don't know all gotchas in advance. Right?

Thanks

You're welcome,

Philip



Jon D

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Nienhuis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 16 October 2005 12:27
To: Libretto
Subject: Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 10:33:05 +0200
From: Philip Nienhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Jon DuQueno wrote:

Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 00:00:45 +0100
From: "Jon DuQueno" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: RE: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Thanks for all your help.

Looks like the libretto is mine if I want it, so i'm going to see if I can
pick up a cheap 6GB+ HD from second hand shop next week.

I've been looking on www.silverace.com/libretto/ and think I know how I

can

get it up and running:
1) Get HD and connect to desktop via 3.5" adapter

2) Format 8GB(max) primary Fat32(?) partition leaving 32MB(?) for
hibernation data.


If the Lib 70CT has the same BIOS limitations as the 110CT model, the
maximum size of that primary FAT32 partition, would be more or less as
follows (assuming 32 MB RAM):
- max 1019 cylinders, or
- 8.385 GB (in SI units = based on 1,000) or
- 7.803 GiB (based of 1,024)

This would also be the maximum combined size of all partitions below the
8 GB mark.

But why make one big partition? It is better to split it up in two or
more, one for the Win98SE + programs, the other(s) for data. And/or use
the third one for storage of the Win98 & other SW setup files.

BTW, while still in the desktop, you might format the primary partition
from DOS using FORMAT /S. Would save you the hassle of having to boot
from floppy.


3) Copy Win98se cd-rom data & other software to HD using desktop (don't

have

cd-rom drive for libretto so guess this is quickest/easiest way?).


Probably. Other options (in case of HD inside Libretto):
- A network/LAN. There exist excellent DOS bootdisks fitted with drivers
for many 16-bit LAN adapters (AFAIK the 70-CT doesn't support Cardbus
anyway); I have one and used it for a Xircom CEM33 PCMCIA LAN card/modem.
- Laplink cable. Either serial (if you've got the time ;-) or parallel
(usually about 50 KB/s). DOS Interlnk would be the program to use.
- CF-cards or SD cards or so, fitted with a proper CF/SD-to-PCMCIA
adapter, & DOS drivers for PCMCIA (card & socket services). I don't know
if such DOS drivers can be obtained easily.

A HD in a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE adapter is probably the easiest and fastest.


4) Install drive in Libretto

5) Boot from DOS 6.22 boot disk and run win98se setup.exe.


See above.


6) Install libretto drivers, tools and utilities

7) Install and play Doom

Please correct me if any of this is wrong.


Nothing wrong yet, I just gave some hints based on my own experiences.


Questions:
1) Laplink cable - Is this just a serial cable and some software? Can I

use

this to transfer win98se to libretto HD even if no OS is installed?


Yes, see above. But it is slow, especially the serial option.


2) I found a PCMCIA Xercon network card, can I use this to connect to my
LAN. Do I need to install win98se and drivers first for it to work.


Yes and not necessarily, resp. See above.
I forgot the link(s) to the DOS boot LAN disks:

http://www.nu2.nu/bootdisk/network/   (probably the best one around)

http://tdonline.com/bootdisk.htm     (never tried this one)


3) Is it possible to use a wireless network card with the libretto 70.

This

would be pretty cool.


Why not. I got a Cisco 350 PCMCIA wifi card; works even in my old
Digital SLC450/e from, uhmmm, 11 years ago (a whopping 50 Mhz
486DX & 20 MB RAM under Win95). Don't expect miracles as regards
performance...


4) Which OS will run fastest 95, 98se or 2000. Since it's 32MB & 120Mhz

this

Better avoid Win95.
It did serve me well for some years on my 110CT, but it is too old now,
relatively unstable, has many many limitations under the hood, etc.


could be an issue. Can I dual boot 98se and 2000 if I get big enough HD?


Sure.
But on my Lib 110CT with 64 MB & 233 Mhz CPU, Win2000 performance is
barely adequate. On 32 MB and a much slower CPU, Win2000 is really too
slow. You can try Fred Vorck's method or nLite or (if you really want to
pay) Win2KLite to strip Win2K down, but I doubt if it's worth the trouble.
http://www.vorck.com/remove-ie.html   (rest of he URLs on that page)


5) What about the 8.4GB limit, do I need to install EZ-Drive?


Only if you have a HD bigger than 8.4 GB. And even then you strictly do
not need it; I'm not one of the proponents of EZ-drive.
But many Libretters are fond of it, and that IS an important fact to
keep in mind.

The problem is with the Libretto BIOS.
If you partition an entire HD > 8.4 GB in your desktop using the 2.5" to
3.5" IDE adapter, chances are that you do not need a disk overlay at all
and that once in the Libretto even DOS can see all of your HD beyond 8.4
GB. If it works for you this way, keep in mind that any repartitioning
must NOT be done in the Libretto but in your desktop.


6) Will I need to do a bios update? If so how?


I got no 70CT so I can't tell. Have a look on the Toshiba support site
and look around for downloads?

7) What can I use it for other than Doom? Wirelessly browsing internet?


Whatever you want.


Playing MP3's from desktop on LAN, what's the audio line-out quality like?


My Lib110CT has just bearable audio quality; I don't expect better from
a 70 CT. In the list archives there are (even quite recent) messages
about PCMCIA audio cards - go figure.


Philip



Thanks


Jon D

-----Original Message-----
From: Raymond [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 14 October 2005 10:24
To: Libretto
Subject: Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 21:24:54 +1000
From: Raymond <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [LIB] Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Any 8.5mm hard drive (yes, 8.5mm, not 9.5mm) will work straight away with
the exception that you may wish to install a drive overlay (like EZ-Bios)
to get access to more than 8GB from within DOS (opinions on this vary).

If you want to install a conventional 9.5mm hard drive you'll need to
remove some spacers from the bottom of the hard drive cavity otherwise
you'll run the risk of cracking the RAM chips off the board (they're right


above where the hard drive sits, putting a 9.5mm hard drive in without
removing the spacers warps the motherboard).

Search the archives for debates on this topic (
http://www.silverace.com/libretto/ - an older one, and
http://www.mail-archive.com/libretto@basiclink.com/ - a new one so I've

got

no idea how far back it goes ). I seem to recall a thread titled "20 gig
Fujitsu in an overclocked L50 and working!" that might be of use to you
(there are plenty of others as well).

Have fun!

- Raymond

P.S. Welcome to the list! :-)

At 06:04 AM 12/10/2005 -0700, you wrote:


Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 06:03:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jonathan DuQueno <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Libretto 70CT - Replacment hard drive?

Hi,

New to here. Just found an old Libretto 70CT in office store room
(complete with floppy drive docking station and win 95 disks).

My aim is to install Win 95 and Doom on it. Just because I think it's cute


and i'm very bored at work (been made redundent, 3 more weeks of doing
nothing before start new job).
However I think the hard disk is dead :( says no system disk when try to
boot, the BIOS config page confirms this. However there is a 2GB drive
installed (felt very hot when I opened it up). I managed to boot off Win
95 floppy but can't install because "no hard drive".

My guess is the hard drive is dead, is there anything else that could be
causing this problem?
Are there any bios limitions on replacement drives? Can I use any 2.5"
<9.5mm laptop drive? Would a 20GB or even 40GB drive work?

Thanks


Jon D



Libretto <libretto@basiclink.com> wrote:


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