Win2k on eSlate 450 (and WinXP)*

04.12.02

I fought the eslate450 for a day trying to get a good windows 2000 upgrade to take. Now it is running very well. Loaded office 97, partition magic and other programs. The w2k drivers are available from the hardware manufacturers. The only drivers you will need are:

Modem driver HSFp_Win2K
Video: LynxEM+win2K-6 from Silicon Motion
Audio: ess_solo1 - probably don't really need this

The only driver with a glitch at least on my machine was the Lynx. In 256 color 800x600 it will freeze the machine when you shutdown from the start menu. Other than that it work perfect. My solution was to add Fast Shut down (FS) and set it for CRT-ALT-end and down she goes. No drivers are need until the install is done.

It is nice having a real OS on this machine. No other drivers needed.
The installation tricks:

Go to setup (f2) prior to install
1. change "cache" to disable" -re-enable later (maybe has nothing to
do with success.
2. go to the power settings set "enable deep discharge"
3. Save and exit

Start install - format as you please
Be sure to hit F6 when you see the screen "hit F6 to install scsi and raid devices".

This disables ACPI during install - seems to be a problem. Overall the system runs better than Win98 in my opinion and wow total stability, backup, file control, encryption etc.

My eslate400 gets it next. I plan to preserve all my existing programs when I do the 400. I like no "activation" required after you botch the install or decide to do something else.

bigtrough

*(Note: This procedure works for installing WinXP on the eSlate as well) TD

Addendum:

When upgrading your eSlate to 2k/XP, K6-2+/3+ users may need to swap their chips back to the original K6-2 that came with the eSlate. Otherwise, setup may fail, and you will get an error that says "IRQL less than zero."
I've tried K6-2+ and 3+ processors during the upgrade, and both times the IRQL error was the result. Swapping the K6-2 back in solved the problem, and 2k didn't have a problem installing afterwards. After setup was finished, it didn't have a problem running the "+"
series of chips.

tarrakal

eSlate Memory Upgrade

07.15.02

I finally got the time to check the eSlate for the 256MB ram limitation listed in the manual, and found out that said limitation does not exist with standard density chips.
I installed two Centon 256MB (16 chip) Pc-133 SoDimms (Part#256MBLT133), available at Circuit City and certain Office Depots, and both were successfully recognized by Windows 9x.
This was good news for me, for the ram and processor (K6-3+ O/C'd) upgrade(s) should go a long way to making the eSlate usable under XP.
I suppose I'll try a single 512MB stick next, just to be thorough. (And perhaps to have the only eSlate with 1024MB of ram... ;))

tarrakal

Replacement eSlate Parts

06.29.03

If you're in the market for keyboards, replacement glide-pad, dvd-rom, etc, keep the KDS Valiant series in mind. The 5240 (earlier model) uses the same motherboard and each model since uses an eSlate compatible keyboard, mouse, and optical drive. Check Ebay, with the search terms "Valiant + parts" or KDS Valiant to
find them.

tarrakal

How To Remove Hard Drive

Unplug the laptop, and remove the battery.

Remove the hinge covers beneath the bottom right and left sides of the LCD.

Just above the keyboard, there is a single piece strip of plastic on which you'll find the power button & LED "windows", formerly held in by the hinge covers.

Remove it.

Using a small Philips screwdriver, unscrew the two screws holding the keyboard down, then lift the keyboard to expose the laptop's innards.

The hard drive is held in by three screws, a black one connected through the case shell on the left of the drive, (if you're facing the LCD) and two long silver screws on the right side of the drive.

When you've unscrewed those three screws, you can remove the drive caddy from the laptop.

Next, unscrew the 4 screws securing the disk to the drive caddy, and replace the drive.

Installation is done in reverse order.

tarrakal

DVD eSlate

10.11.2004

Toshiba model # is SD-C2502. The metal case and connector are identical (even the screw tabs) to the one I have. This would give other owners the option of upgrading their eSlates to a DVD capable machine.

smiley