Prev: RPC8394 TPM reader
Next: Barebones Gateway Solo 2500 Screen Problems
From: Diamond, Mark on 15 Oct 2006 08:12
I forgot to mention in my last post (reply to yours) that the full model
number as written on the base is PS183A-2Q54PP. I had left the second
section off my original post in a foolish moment of thinking that it was
machine specific (i.e. part of a serial number). Confusingly, that doesn't
quite match anything on the Toshiba site;
http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/download_bios.jsp
They list 1800-100 180-0-204, 1800-214 but I take it that since the machine
*has* got a touchpad, one of the 1800-xx4 BIOSs should be OK if I do decide
to go ahead and update?

Cheers,
Mark Diamond


"me/2" <null(a)127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:0ve3j2d5danml91l4foitcrtorla217qsa(a)4ax.com...
> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 21:44:46 -0400, Barry Watzman
> <WatzmanNOSPAM(a)neo.rr.com> wrote:
>
> :>Interesting information; I've only worked on a few 1800's.
> :>
> :>One comment, however, I just went through a stack of laptops I have here
> :>(over a dozen in the 300 and 4000 series), and ALL of the part numbers
> :>on the laptops themselves are PAxxxx numbers (except one Canadian
> :>4020CDT, which is "PAS", but since it's not a US unit, they can use a
> :>totally different numbering scheme).
>
> Okay, after doing some further research we're both sort of right.
> Guess my memory isn't what it used to be. :-) After working primarily
> on Toshibas for 12 years the only one I've touched in the last 3
> months has been my own that I'm using right now.
>
> In the "old days" the laptop PART numbers WERE PA**** for Satellite,
> Satellite Pro, Libretto, Portege and Tecra. Then at some point
> someone at Toshiba came up with the brilliant idea of making the part
> number more descriptive so they started using PAS****, PAT**** &
> PAP****. The Libretto was history by that time. Then at an even
> later date, as the PART numbers started getting more complicated with
> the infamous "S" numbers and all the different variations, is when
> they shortened it to the current PS****, PP****, PT****, PL**** (the
> return of the Libretto) and PQ****(Qosmio). This last change took
> place around 1999 and is still in use today. For example the Tecra
> 780 was a PA****, the Tecra 8000 was a PAT**** and the Tecra 8100 was
> a PT****.
>
> BTW, another bit of trivia for you since you mentioned a Canadian unit
> (the US 4020CDT is also a PAS****). The letter right before the
> hyphen in the part number indicates coutry or region of origin with
> the units using the newer type of part number.
>
> Examples:
>
> PS183U = US
> PS183C = Canada
> PS183J = Japan
> PS183E = Europe
> Etc.
>
> It's the part after the hyphen that has no consistency from region to
> region. My 5205-S703 was sold in Europe as a 5200-945 (or something
> like that). The "S" numbers seem to be primarily used in the US. I
> guess that's so the retailers like Best Buy can confuse people by
> advertising a S**** instead of the "real" model/part number. :-)
>
> me/2
>
> :>
> :>
> :>me/2 wrote:
> :>
> :>> On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:08:31 -0400, Barry Watzman
> :>> <WatzmanNOSPAM(a)neo.rr.com> wrote:
> :>>
> :>> :>The full model number (1800-Sxxxx) should be on a label on the
bottom of
> :>>
> :>> There were some 1800 series that were labeled as the OP noted. They
> :>> had no "S" number.
> :>>
> :>> :>the unit. However, it's likely that all of the 1800's use the same
bios
> :>> :>anyway. Finally, a google search of the part number (usually PA....
> :>>
> :>> Again, the 1800 was an exception. There were two unique releases in
> :>> the 1800 series. The first release used an accupoint mouse and
> :>> shipped with win98, winme or win2k. The second release used a
> :>> touchpad and shipped with winxp pro or winxp home. The system boards
> :>> were of a different design and the BIOS was different and did not
> :>> interchange.
> :>>
> :>> :>rather than PS....; was that a typo?) will likely turn up the full
model
> :>> :>number.
> :>>
> :>> Nope, he was correct.
> :>>
> :>> PA = Portable Accessory part #
> :>> PS = Portable Satellite part #
> :>> PT = Portable Tecra part #
> :>> PP = Portable Portege part #
> :>> Etc.
> :>>
> :>> BTW, to answer the original question:
> :>>
> :>> PS181-***** = the first release of the 1800 with accupoint
> :>> PS183-***** = the second release of the 1800 with touchpad
> :>>
> :>> 180*-S**3 = the first release (1800-S203 for example)
> :>> 180*-S**4 = the second release (1800-S204 for example)
> :>>
> :>> So, since the OP has a PS183 model the BIOS (and other downloads) for
> :>> any 1800 with a "S" number ending in "4" will be the same.
> :>>
> :>> I got a little long winded since I know you work on a lot of Toshibas
> :>> and it is a bit of a confusing issue. BTW, the 3000 series Satellite
> :>> is the same way in the "S" numbers ending in "3" are first generation
> :>> and "S" numbers ending in "4" are second generation.
> :>>
> :>> me/2
> :>>
> :>> :>Diamond, Mark wrote:
> :>> :>
> :>> :>> I have a Toshiba Satellite that I want to update the BIOS on. Only
problem
> :>> :>> is figuring out the correspondence between the model names on the
Toshiba
> :>> :>> site and the model on the base of my machine.
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> The label say "1800 System Unit / Model PS183A-....." but this
doesn't seem
> :>> :>> top match any of the sub-selections on the Toshiba BIOS downloads
site for
> :>> :>> the 18xx series. I appreciate any help in knowing what BIOS
upgrade I ought
> :>> :>> to be looking for.
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> Cheers,
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>> Mark Diamond
> :>> :>>
> :>> :>>


From: BillW50 on 15 Oct 2006 08:49
"Diamond, Mark" <dot(a)dot.dot> wrote in message
news:egt8eq$s0b$1(a)news-01.bur.connect.com.au
> I forgot to mention in my last post (reply to yours) that the full
> model number as written on the base is PS183A-2Q54PP. I had left the
> second section off my original post in a foolish moment of thinking
> that it was machine specific (i.e. part of a serial number).
> Confusingly, that doesn't quite match anything on the Toshiba site;
> http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/download_bios.jsp
> They list 1800-100 180-0-204, 1800-214 but I take it that since the
> machine *has* got a touchpad, one of the 1800-xx4 BIOSs should be OK
> if I do decide to go ahead and update?

I'd say hold off on that idea for now. Let's hear from others first and
there is no rush right now. Remember if it isn't the right one, that
laptop is toast! :(

--
Bill

From: Barry Watzman on 16 Oct 2006 09:30
Re: "This is especially critical with some the newer models like the
A105 that are manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba
using unique system boards."

That's pretty incredible, but in a way not surprising: There are over 5
dozen different configurations ("Sxxxx" suffixes) of the A105, and it's
still growing (they are just now introducing Core 2 Duo models). And
apparently, from my observations and coments by yourself and others,
they don't even all use the same power supply voltage, and they don't
use the same CPUs or chipsets either (at least the 915 and 945 chipsets
have been used, and I expect to see a 965 chipset model soon). So the
A105 series really can't even be considered to be a single model, for
many purposes.

Any way to know who builds which models?
From: Barry Watzman on 16 Oct 2006 17:22
As someone who has been a product line manager and director, I can't
imagine doing things this way. If I was going to have the same "model"
(say the A105) made by different firms, I'd set some groundrules:
Basically, total software compatability (including BIOS), and all parts
interchangeable down to the motherboard level (different motherboards
would be ok, but you could still take one out and put another one in
..... same mechanical mounting and external cable connections). And same
accessories (battery, power adapter, drives, memory, etc.).

The situation as you describe would be a nightmare to manage.

***********************************************************

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:30:54 -0400, Barry Watzman
<WatzmanNOSPAM(a)neo.rr.com> wrote:

:>Re: "This is especially critical with some the newer models like the
:>A105 that are manufactured by THREE different companies for Toshiba
:>using unique system boards."
:>
:>That's pretty incredible, but in a way not surprising: There are over 5
:>dozen different configurations ("Sxxxx" suffixes) of the A105, and it's
:>still growing (they are just now introducing Core 2 Duo models). And
:>apparently, from my observations and coments by yourself and others,
:>they don't even all use the same power supply voltage, and they don't
:>use the same CPUs or chipsets either (at least the 915 and 945 chipsets
:>have been used, and I expect to see a 965 chipset model soon). So the
:>A105 series really can't even be considered to be a single model, for
:>many purposes.
:>
:>Any way to know who builds which models?

About the only way I know of for sure any more is to snoop around in
things like the BIOS and some of the "Toshiba" utilities and look for
company names. A hex editor can be pretty revealing. :-)

What used to work pretty good back when I was still working at a
Toshiba ASP was to check out the "service" part numbers for major
components.

As a rule the following was true:

P000...... = Toshiba
K000...... = Compal
V000...... = Inventec
A000...... = Quanta

However, this wasn't always true for Inventec since I remember there
being a few Inventec models in the past that used P000...... service
part numbers. Also, even though I don't believe Toshiba makes any of
the US models any more, there are still a few that are using
P000...... service part numbers. More Inventec?? Or someone else
altogether??

Of course this means doing some disassembly on the computer or having
access to a login id/company id/password for the ASP part of the
Toshiba Atlas website.

Sometimes if you're lucky you'll find the "service part number" on
something easily accessible like the ac adapter or battery in addition
to the "accessory part number" which is normally a PA...... number.
Also, some of the Compal and Inventec models will have a service part
number for the system board on a sticker visible on the PCB under one
of the covers for RAM, WiFi or Bluetooth.

BTW, to the best I can remember, the M45 was the first model line that
was manufactured by multiple vendors. Other than generic parts there
was nothing that interchanged between the two. There were at least 3
or 4 different unique restore discs that all just said M45 on the disc
with no indication of what "S" numbers they went with. Actually they
would all install on any M45 because the only machine check they did
was for "Satellite M45" in the DMI string. However, once you went to
run the setup you either faced bluescreens or ended up with an error
filled install either using generic drivers or a lot of exclamation
points in device manager.

I think this all got started when Toshiba released the M30/M35 from
one company (Inventec IIRC) and then came out a little later with the
M30X/M35X that was manufactured by another company (Compal). At least
there they added the "X" to the model name but a lot of people still
got them confused. They thought that since the "X" was a newer model
it was better when actually the opposite was true.

Good luck trying to figure it all out. :-)

me/2
From: BillW50 on 16 Oct 2006 17:45
"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM(a)neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:4533F819.7030407(a)neo.rr.com
> As someone who has been a product line manager and director, I can't
> imagine doing things this way. If I was going to have the same
> "model" (say the A105) made by different firms, I'd set some
> groundrules: Basically, total software compatability (including
> BIOS), and all parts interchangeable down to the motherboard level
> (different motherboards would be ok, but you could still take one out
> and put another one in .... same mechanical mounting and external
> cable connections). And same accessories (battery, power adapter,
> drives, memory, etc.).
> The situation as you describe would be a nightmare to manage.

Oh Barry! Don't you see it? Someone who was very good at their job
caught wind that they were going to be laid-off after their current
project. As the company will eliminate their position since they are
going to outsource his job to save money (damn bean counters). And this
is his/her reward for their many years of loyal service. So before they
go, they want to leave a noticeable mark by saying thank you very much!
This is what it looks like to me.

--
Bill

 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: RPC8394 TPM reader
Next: Barebones Gateway Solo 2500 Screen Problems