~Toughbooktalk~

Thanks Ador, that one link on page 52-53 shows how to get at the RAM slot, just one screw on the bottom and then turn her over and lift the right palm rest. Good stuff!!

Some of it I had to go though the web archives to find. Need to set my tor browser back up and go deep sea fishing on the deep web to see what I can catch.

M-33 update. Followed directions (thanks again Ador) and loaded a 128 MB RAM chip. She boots up now to a new total of memory 162 MB. Turned her on and she boots to PLOP boot manager (thanks Springfield). Hot key Shift-u is supposed to force usb 1.1, however screen just now reading "Loading AHCI driver, searching on hosts host1"....and no joy booting from cd.
I know there is/should be a way to force a boot from cd, as Azrial recently accomplished this on his two Getac's. More reading involved. Probably some IRQ setting that I know NOTHING about in settings.
Best regards.

M-33 update-I found this Linux distribution that just might be the ticket: http://delicate-linux.net/
From their web page: "Why? We believe there are still too many owners of old computers somewhere in the world who want to use them. Recommended configuration:
CPU : Pentium MMX 233MHz (up to Pentium III), RAM : 64MB, HDD : 4GB
Installation requirements:
CD-ROM : for computers with CD-ROM boot support
Floppy + CD-ROM : for computers without CD-ROM boot support
Floppy + Serial Cable (cross) : for computers with broken or no CD-ROM
Floppy + Network : for computers with broken or no CD-ROM
DOS + CD-ROM : for computers without CD-ROM boot support
Deli Linux 0.8 + Network : for upgrade from Deli Linux
Downloading iso now. Then it's time to hit the hay, but more details to follow!

Sounds good, following this thread closely for when I mess with my CF-25, 17 and 41

ADOR wrote:Sounds good, following this thread closely for when I mess with my CF-25, 17 and 41

Thanks Ador/ I'm having trouble fooling the bios to boot from cd, floppy works just fine. I've tried plop and ultimate floppy to try to boot from cd, but no joy. Does not seem to matter usb or pcmcia cd player. I'm thinking I might have to open her up and take out the hard drive to install something, unless another expert chimes in with how to boot from floppy and then switch to cd....

On my CF-17 I did get plop to work when it was hooked up to the Factory Floppy drive hooked to the dock. (Non usb hookup) I did have trouble trying to load DSL on it as the install would hang up. I only tried it a few times though.

(the 17 dock won't work with a Mk2 up CF-M34 either, I don't have a Mk1 to try one it, when docked a newer toughbook won't even boot with that dock.)

This project is currently stalling: I can NOT boot to cd despite many avenues. I will bring these with me to the left coast in February 2015, and we'll try a joint effort while feeding sheep. Any thoughts and inptut greatly appreciated.

TalkingDog Ranch update: Windy/Rainy/Quorum fed (thank you Kerry)-
Looking for the package now

Final update:
Here's how we finally finished the project:
I left Sadlmkr’s ranch this morning after a 42 hour Toughbook endeavor that included MUCH tinkering on the M33 project. Sadlmkr & Safn were key elements in final success along with Shawn's 128 mb RAM modules he sent. We never could add a Linux system via usb and CD, despite our attempts with Plop Boot Manager. We used the port replicator and Panasonic floppy drive that came with the M-33's. We finally had success by putting a system on the hard drive of a M-34, and then transplanting the hard drive into the little M-33.
Safn was a wizard dismantling the Toughbooks and then re-assembling the bootable hard drive back into the M-33. We settled on simple Linux distributions that work on the M-34 and CF-28‘s, and were delighted when they booted up and found Bell Springs INTERNET link. Just remember that the M-33‘s have a different trackball mouse setup. The top button is your “Left” click, and the bottom button is “Right” click that we are so used to.
Late last night we were frustrated and ready to give up, when Sadlmkr persisted and discovered the mouse protocol. Yes, a few screws turned up missing, so if anyone has access to the longer screws for the M-33, please let us know.
These little M-33‘s were named “nits” and “tank”. We would NOT have finished without the great grass fed beef from Brookings, OR. Take care and keep touch.