Toshiba T2400CS Repair

Toshiba sold the T series of personal computers to markets outside Japan from 1981 to 1995. They started with the T200, T250, T300, and T100 desktop computers, which were essentially rebrands of their domestic-market Pasopia models. From the mid-1980s onward, the T series was comprised mainly of portable computers and laptops, like the T2400CS. In November of 1994, it was listed on an advertisement in the PC Magazine for $2,877.59 or $3,039.89 (250 or 320 MB hard drive), which equates to roughly $6,000 or $6,400 in 2024 (via the BLS CPI inflation calculator). This puts into perspective how unattainably expensive these portable computers were in their early days; they were certainly not a household appliance like they are now, being just a luxury for wealthy businesspeople.

The T2400CS can be identified by a sticker on the bottom of the unit. The sticker should read "T2400CS/250 SYSTEM UNIT" or "T2400CS/320 SYSTEM UNIT" depending on hard drive storage size. The final number of the model number (PA115X) also changes based on hard drive; 5 designates the 320MB and 4 designates the 250MB.

There are also different bottom and top label styles, as well as serial numbers. The bottom label style, top label style, model number, and serial numbers all seem to correlate in the following ways:

Style A:

• "Toshiba Corporation" bottom label
• "T2400CS" top label
• "PA115X EA V" model number
• Lower serial number (seemingly begins with 10 or below)

Style B:

• "Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc." bottom label
• "Satellite Pro" top label
• "PA115X U V" model number
• Higher serial number (seemingly begin with 11 or above)

Note that, due to the higher serial numbers of "style B", these could be presumed to be newer models than "style A", but this is not confirmed.

"Style A" T2400CS/320 bottom label.

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"Style B" T2400CS/320 bottom label.

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"Style B" T2400CS/250 bottom label, also with "Toshiba Factory Reconditioned", presumably a refurbished unit.

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"T2400CS" top label, seems to coincide with Style A.

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"Satellite Pro" top label, seems to coincide with Style B.

Processor: SL Enhanced Intel 486DX2-50

• 50 Mhz clock speed
• 3.3 volts operation
• 8 KB cache memory

RAM: 4 MB of Random Access Memory

• 640 KB of conventional memory and 3456 KB of extended memory
• 80 ns access time
• 32-bit width
• Expandable to 20 MB maximum

VRAM: 1 MB of Video RAM

• 5 volts operation
• 70 ns access time

Display: 9.5" STN LCD

• Dual-scan color display, 4,096 colors for graphics and characters
• 640x480 resolution
• 15-pin RGB port for external display

Storage: 250 or 320 MB HDD, 1.44MB 3.5" FDD

• 250 or 320 MB hard disk drive (depends on specification on bottom sticker, either T2400CS/250 or T2400CS/320)
• 3.5-inch floppy disk drive that supports 1.44MB 2HD or 720KB 2DD floppy disk

Battery: 3 batteries; main, backup, and RTC

• Main battery: 12V, 2600 mAH, nickel metal hydride
• Backup battery: 1.2V, 1100 mAH, nickel metal hydride
• RTC (Real-Time Clock) battery: 3.0V, 50 mAH, lithium vanadium
• Over 2 hours of battery life, according to PC Magazine advertisement

Keyboard/Mouse: 82-key keyboard, pointing stick in the center

• 82-key (USA) or 84-key (European) keyboard, mounted to the system unit and connected to the system board via a 25-pin flat cable
• PS/2 keyboard port for external keyboard
• Pointing stick located in center of keyboard for cursor usage without external mouse
• PS/2 mouse port for external mouse

Dimensions:

• Length/width/height: 11.7" x 8.7" x 2.2" (29.7cm x 22.1cm x 5.6cm)
• Weight: 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg)

Toshiba T2400CS Manual Link (Minuszerodegrees)

Toshiba T2400CS/CT PC Magazine Advertisement Link (Minuszerodegrees)

Toshiba T2400CS Specifications Link (Conventionalmemories)

Intel i486DX2-50 Specifications Link (Wikichip)

Toshiba T Series Wikipedia Link (Wikipedia)