Message 2 in thread From: Dan O-Connell (geomagic@seismo.usbr.gov) Subject: Re: Sipps for Grid Laptop Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1995/08/29 In article <41tmuh$2pk@acme.freenet.columbus.oh.us> mcotts@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Mike Cotts) writes: > I have a Grid 286 Laptop, i am having a hard time finding sipps for it. > I have found some sipp bout they will not work. Some of the boards with > the chips on them are to large to install in the computer. > I guess the best question is, if u have one or have some just for the Grid > type laptop, Please leave a message so i can get back with you for more info. You might try "The First Source Int'l Inc." in Allso Viejo, CA. Try 800 information for their number. They had GRiD memory from paragon memory corporation (at least a couple years ago they did). Part number for a 4MB kit was GRI4-2587. This is for 15XX series GRiD computers. "Grid 286 Laptop" is not specific enough. Use the model numbers. Dan (I speak for no organization) O'Connell From: Steve Lemons (slemons@netcom.com) Subject: Re: GRiD Questions Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1995-01-17 05:11:37 PST In article <3f5hl6$gas@saba.info.ucla.edu>, Michael Zeleny wrote: :~~| I am cannibalizing one 1550sx in order to keep another one running, :~~| and would like to find out whether the two sets of standard (4Mb total :~~| each) RAM chips can be safely combined on a single board. I am also :~~| interested in advice on fixing or replacing defective Isopoint mice, :~~| restoring the LCD screen brightness, and upgrading the processor to a :~~| 486. I would be willing to sell or trade my extra parts in order to :~~| keep the remaining machine reasonably happy. :~~| cordially, don't :~~| mikhail zeleny@math.ucla.edu tread :~~| writing from the disneyland of formal philosophy on :~~| "Le cul des femmes est monotone comme l'esprit des hommes." me While I can't speak for the 1550 specifically (I have the 1530), my understanding was that the 1550 was really a 1530 with an expansion slot. If this is correct, I would certainly try putting all of the memory in one system. If I understand correctly, each of your systems currently contains four 1 MB SIP's, and each system could accommodate eight 1 MB SIP's. Assuming that the SIP's are all relatively close in speed (most likely they are all 80ns), putting all 8 of them in one system should work just fine. With only 4 SIP's in a 1530, a small jumper is used to connect 2 pins that are located between the keyboard and the memory. If you install all 8 SIP's in one system, you will want to remove the jumper (it pulls off easily). I believe that your memory access speed will also improve with all SIP slots populated, due to the memory being organized as 2 banks (4 SIP's each), with interleaved access. While I am no memory expert, it is my understanding that an additional wait state is incurred when only 1 bank of memory is populated. Disclaimer: Just my opinions, based on extensive tinkering with a 1530. In short, good luck. Steve Hi, Shannon! I use a GRiD 1550sx, which is a 386sx/20, with a 120 mb hd doublespaced, and 4 mb of ram. I'm writing this in WinComm for Windows, so yes, Windows does fine on this machine. Obviously, it won't be as quick as your dx2, but a number of factors are involved here, that is, an lcd vs. crt monitor (lcds are slower), a slower hard drive (assuming you don't have a slow drive in your dx2), and the 386. If you can, get a math co-processor. The problems I have had in Windows has been centered on VERY graphic intensive programs, such as PageMaker, which runs SLLLLOOOOWWWW on the GRiD, so I only use it for "emergency" purposes, like if I'm nowhere near my desktop. I use two word processors, PFS:Professional Write, a DOS program, and Lotus Ami Pro 3.0, a Windows program. Prowrite I use for recreational writing, and Lotus is used for business writing with letterheads and other light graphical documents. All in all, I have been very happy with my GRiD. I have had it for about a year now, and it is reliable as a stone. I carry it around all the time, going to clients offices, to the libraries, to the mountains, to the beach...If you do purchase it, let me know what model it is, maybe I can give you some tips or supply you with info as I have the manuals (at least, for the 1550sx and the MS-DOS supplement files, which are extremely handy). Good luck, Shannon! Bob Edwards Of course the opinions riwriter@ids.net expressed here are mine! From: Peter C Olsen (pcolsen@super.org) Subject: For Sale: GRiD 386SX Laptop with 120 Meg HD Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops, dc.forsale, misc.forsale.computers View: (This is the only article in this thread) | Original Format Date: 1992-11-22 08:16:34 PST I'm selling my GRiD 1550sx laptop to get a desktop '486 machine that has the horespower to support my dissertation research GRiD 1550sx with a 386sx at 20MHz 120 MB hard disk 4 MB RAM (expandable to 8 MB) LCD VGA with external VGA monitor port 3.5 in 1.44 MB floppy Internal 2400 baud MNP 5 Modem 2 *additional* serial ports (3 total, including the modem) External keyboard port, printer port, and expansion buss DRDOS 6.0 with SuperStor compression software (/w disks and manual) Windows 3.0 (only used to support Xlispstat) Spare battery (total of 2) Wide selection of PD software, including TeX, Demacs, Lisp, etc (All commercial software will include disks, manuals, and letters requesting transfer of registration.) This is a classic GRiD in the black magnesium case. It's been an excellent computer --- both for portable and desktop use. On the road, I use it as a regular laptop with the built-in keyboard and mouse and at home I plug in a full-size keyboard and use it as a desktop. It has been more than powerful enough for any use so far (including large spreadsheets, APL II, C++, and TeX), but I am starting dissertation research on a Ph.D. in computational mathematics and I will need more speed for that. Price: $1600. From: Steve Aliamus (aliamus@hpcc01.corp.hp.com) Subject: Re: REQUEST: Info on the GRiD pen/keyboard laptop Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1993-01-19 13:48:25 PST >I read about a GRiD notebook computer that while closed could be accessed >by the touch-screen/pen input, and by a keyboard when opened. > >Does anyone know what the processor is? How fast does it run? Intel386 SL 25 MHz main processor, Cyrix 87SLC 25 MHz math coprocessor. >I know it runs Windows...I know it has a 120 MEG hard drive. 125 MB hard drive. >Does it have a modem? Optional Internal Data/Fax Modems 2400 bps, V.22bis -or- 14400 bps, V.32 bis. >Can anyone tell me anything more? 2 MB RAM standard, 4 MB optional, 8 MB maximum 9.5" backlit LCD 640x480 screen 400 dpi digitizer resolution 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy (external) 9-pin serial port External VGA port PCMCIA Version 2.0 slot 5.5 pounds 78 minute battery life (according to _Corporate Computing_ magazine) $3495.00 list price From: Justin (Gus) Hurwitz (ghurwitz@compaq.tjhsst.edu) Subject: Re: GRID Laptop trouble-313 beeps Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1995/12/29 CB Smith wrote: > > I just got handed a GRID laptop Model 1450SX and it has a problem on bootup. > > The machine powers up. The screen displays Phoenix ROM Bios/Plus > version 1.10.00 (07/27/90). Then the fun begins. > > I get a beep code of 3-1-3. Looking up my handy dandy ref guide I see this > means Master Interrupt Mask Register Failure......fatal error(see chip 8259). > Then nothing else happens. Boy they got that right. I disconnected the FD and > HD (Prairie Tech 240) and combos thereof and still the same code. > Also {crl-alt-esc or S} does not work. Now what ? > > Can this pc be fixed ? Yes > Which chip is defective ? the 8259 Interupt controller. > Is it the bios chip ? No, it's the interupt controller. > > Does it mean a new mother board ? possibly. > It is marked ALPS (80c42) #LX-CPU DHJ008001D MS-MV-0-S > Not a happy idea unless a very cheap one can be obtained. > > Sources ? > > Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks. > > Brian ao779@torfree.on.ca > Ok, to start, your 8259 interupt controller has died. This is the chip that controls your computer interupts (you know, them IRQ thingies :). All computers have them. Some even have two or three, I've even seen people selling them for use in custom apps and things (like robots, etc.). They generally won't cost too much. The question is how it's connectud to your motherboard. If you can see your motherboard, look for any chips that say 8259 on them, and also look for any chips that are socketed (ie- not soldered on the motherboard). IF your 8259 is socketed, then you'll want to go to a local computer place, and see if they have any 8259s which will fit in that socket. Consider yourself very lucky if this is the case. Otherwise, go to a good computer dealer, and tell them the problem, and ask if they are smart enough to remove a soldered chip and solder another chip in the old chips place. This is VERY hard to do, so don't go to Joe's Hardware. If it is soldered, you will robably want to consider contacting grid (are they still around?). Ask if they will repair it, how much that would cost, and how much a new motherboard would cost. the motherboard may be cheaper. I wish you luck. GRID 2260 Pen Based Laptop, Magnesium Alloy case, unit can be used as writing tablet, 386-25mhz with Math Coprocessor, Mono VGA with color output, 4mb RAM, 130mb HD, 3.5" external floppy drive, 14.4bps pcmcia modem, pointing device: Pen stylus Parallel, VGA & Serial Ports, From: morris.shaw@support.com (morris.shaw@support.com) Subject: NEED HELP WITH GRID LAPTO Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1996/05/07 On 05-06-96 News wrote to All... N > Subject: Need help with GRiD laptop N > N > I have a GRiD 1520 (286) with CGA monitor. I have not been able N > to get an external monitor to work with it. I have a feeling that N > there may be some keystrokes to activate it, this is the way it was N > with my old Compaq. N > Does anyone have any experience with this problem. In case you don't get the specific model response, these are the GRiDLite 1040 special key combo's: To select boot device, right after first beep, in default order: R = bootable ROM (if installed) H = Hard drive E/F = Floppy drive Processor speed: Ctrl-Alt-Fn-uparrow/downarrow Color mapping: Ctrl-Alt-Fn-leftarrow/rightarrow Toggle monitor: Ctrl-Alt-Tab > 1. Is there a way I can get a 9600 bps internal modem for this? > If so, what type/spec/model should I look for? You would have to find a GRiD part since the internal is custom. > 2. Can the 1520 work with any common (e.g., Hayes compatible) > external 9600 bps modem? (Or is there some peculiarity that > would prevent this, such as the system being too slow to keep > up with 9600?) A 9600 bps external modem will work fine. The serial port (COM2, not COM1, which is the modem port or nonexistent if an internal modem is not installed) can be run up to 115,000 bps. I've used it consistently at 38000 bps and Laplink type software doesn't seem to have a problem running at 115,000. > 4. Sometimes on a power-cycle (turn off then on) the machine makes > a strange clicking sound instead of booting right away. Any > idea what this is? I had a 40MB drive that finally refused to spin up. I replaced it with a used Conner drive of the same model. I did get the drive to unstick by taking it out and wacking it against a table. I only did that once so I could retrieve some files from it. Then I retired it. It could be your drive is starting to get sticky. You could boot off a floppy by pressing F during the boot sequence. That tells it to try the floppy drive before the disk. I have a few of the lcd screens for the Grid 1450sx for sale. here is the info that I have on them: AST / Grid part number ax0820 oem part number Toshiba tlx-1553-53m Hi, I recently purchased a Victor 386L/25 and need to find a ram upgrade. This unit is simply a relabeled Grid, that has the trackball in the middle of the unit, a black case, and is a 2/80 (I believe the drive is 125 on the Grid). I'm not sure what the names of the equivalent units are, but I've seen them both in stores. Anyway, the point of this is that I'm trying to find a 2 or 6 meg upgrade without having to buy it at Radio Shack, who's prices are exorbinant. Does anybody have one they are looking to get rid of? The identical motherboards all have the ram expansion slot in the same location: on the back, under a slim metal cover, just above the docking station AT bus. Search Result 201 From: Peter C Olsen (pcolsen@super.org) Subject: Wanted: GRiD External 5.25 disk drive Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops, dc.forsale, misc.forsale.computers View: (This is the only article in this thread) | Original Format Date: 1993-02-25 04:43:59 PST I'm looking for a used external 5.25in disk drive for a GRiD portable computer. The drive itself can be broken, as long as the enclosure and cable interface are working; I just need the enclosure to connect an external streaming tape drive to a GRiD 1550sx. Peter Olsen From: Eric A. Raymond (raymond@kronos.arc.nasa.gov) Subject: Re: Memory for GRiD 1550sx? Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops, misc.forsale.computers View: Complete Thread (2 articles) | Original Format Date: 1992-12-22 03:34:18 PST pcolsen@super.org (Peter C Olsen) writes: >I'm looking for information about upgrading the memory on my GRiD >1550sx. I'm trying to do it myself because GRiD is too expensive. >Can anyone share some part numbers or recommend some sources? Most definitely. GRiD is a rip off when it comes to upgrades. You can get memory from "The First Source Int'l Inc." in Allso Viejo, CA. Try 800 information for their number. They gave us a good deal on some chips from paragon memory corporation (GRI4-2587 is for a 4Meg kit. You can put two kits in a 1530 to get 16 meg.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: David Wurster (dwurster@ix.netcom.com) Subject: Re: GRiD Laptop VGA board ? More stuff ... Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1995/06/22 In geomagic@seismo.usbr.gov (Dan O-Connell) writes: > >In article <3rt7sa$ib8@over.mhv.net> Rich.Yost@bbs.mhv.net (Rich Yost) writes: > >> I'am looking for a VGA board and VGA connector to upgrade a 1530 GRiDCASE >> laptop from CGA to VGA. If anybody knows of any boards or has a junk >> GRiDCASE with a VGA board, please let me know. > >The only way to install a VBA board on a 1530 GRiDCASE is with the >VGA option that plugs into the battery slot (there's a bus connector >in there in addition to the power contacts). The VGA board in installed >in a box shapped like the internal battery with the VGA connector >on one end and the bus connector on the other end. I have a SCSI >controller in the same setup. > GRiD offered a VGA upgrade of a new controller board,VGA panel, and backplane with VGA CRT connector on it for the 1520/1530 product line. The VGA CRT battery plugin module was offered before the VGA LCD option was available. From: Kris Schludermann (krispy@bga.com) Subject: FS:GRiD 1600 series Expansion Tray Newsgroups: misc.forsale.computers.pc-specific.portables, comp.sys.laptops, misc.forsale.computers.pc-clone View: (This is the only article in this thread) | Original Format Date: 1995-02-01 11:10:22 PST GRiD Expansion tray for 1600 series laptop. has two universal length expansion slots, on of which can be used for CD-ROM installation. also has the usual range of serial, parallel, video, keyboard and mouse connection ports. BRAND NEW $175 plus shipping. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Kris Schludermann (krispy@bga.com) Subject: FS:GRiD DOS 5.0 & 3.3 Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops Date: 1994-06-24 08:08:51 PST have Sealed Versions of GRiD DOS 5.0 - $25 (includes shipping) 3.3 offer Kris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was scanning through February Byte on the weekend, and caught an ad from "tote-a-lap". They have indicated that they have a 60MB Hard Drive Upgrade for the GRID 1720, Panasonic CF-270, and Tandy 2810HD. The price they are asking for is $648. From: Web Williams (kr4wm@sccoast.net) Subject: WTB: Conner CP-30104H hard drive for GRiD laptop Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1997/03/13 I need a Conner CP-30104H or CP-30104 hard drive to go in a GRiDCASE 1550sx. No other hard drives will work for this application. If you have one NIB for sale, please e-mail me with pricing. I'd prefer the "H" model, but will take a standard if nothing comes up. Thanks- Web Williams, kr4wm@sccoast.net Message 2 in thread From: SChander (schander@aol.com) Subject: Re: WTB: Conner CP-30104H hard drive for GRiD laptop Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops View this article only Date: 1997/03/17 The Conner CP 3064? 60 MB drive will also work in the 1550sx. siva@emi.net