Chaplet Systems Halikan NBA386SX

Laptop Retro

Chaplet Systems Halikan NBA386SX

The Halikan NBA386SX is a 386-based generic/ODM laptop that was released in 1991 by Taiwan-based Chaplet Systems. Chaplet sold it under their own brand, but it was also rebranded and sold by other companies.

  • Computer: PC-AT or compatible, ISA
  • CPU: AMD AM386SX, 25 Mhz, Real mode, 2/3/13/9
  • Coprocessor: Optional (not installed) 0/0/0/0
  • Chipset: ACC Micro 2036
  • RAM:
    • 2 MB, 640KB, 1408 KB, no XMS, no EMS
    • NEC 424400-70L chips
    • Words per chip: 1,048,576 words (1M words)
    • Bits per word: 4 bits
    • 1,048,576 words × 4 bits = 4,194,304 bits of memory=524,288 bytes or 512 KB (kilobytes) of RAM per chip.
    • 4 chips × 512 KB = 2 MB of RAM in total.
  • Storage: 2.5″ IDE | Standard: 20MB | Installed IDE to CF Card 250 MB
    • Cylinders: 490
    • Heads: 16
    • Sectors: 63
  • Display: 10.0″ Passive Matrix Grayscale LCD @640×480
  • Graphics: Cirrus Logic CL-GD 510/520 VGA 256KB
  • Audio: PC Speaker
  • Main Battery: NiCad
  • CMOS Battery: NiCad
  • Power Supply: 4-pin Mini-DIN | AC Adapter model NBA
  • Media Drive:
    • SMD-1000 Seiko Epson Floppy Disk Drive
    • MADE IN JAPAN
    • N2013975
    • 3.5″ 1.44MB Floppy Drive
  • PC Cards: None
  • Network: None
  • Other I/O:
    • 1x Parallel
    • 1x Serial
    • 1x VGA Out
    • 1x PS/2
    • 1x Dock Connector
  • BIOS: AMI, American Megatrends, Inc., 05/05/91 version 1.20
  • Pointing Device: None
  • Keyboard: AT Enhanced Keyboard 101 keys
  • Joystick: none
  • OS: MS-DOS version 6.22
  • CPU Benchmark: NSSI version 0.60.45 (2010.09.09) – 3645 Dhrystones/s
  • FPU Benchmark: NSSI version 0.60.45 (2010.09.09) – 545 KWhetstones/s – Co-processor: Internal Emulator
  • System Controller:
    • VLSI VL82C320A
    • The VL82C320/VL82C320A contains the System Control and the Data Buffering functions in a 160-lead quad flatpack. The System Controller is designed to perform in 80286- and 80386SX-based systems with clock speeds of 25 MHZ and below, and peripheral bus speeds up to 12MHz. The System Controller functions are highly programmable via a set of internal configuration registers. Defaults on reset for the configuration registers mimic the compatibility requirements of the original IBM PC/AT as closely as possible. The power-up defaults allow any possible configuration of the system to boot at the CPU’s rated speed.
    • The System Controller handles system board refresh directly and controls the timing of slot bus refresh that is actually performed by the VL82C331 ISA Bus Controller. Refresh may be performed in coupled or decoupled mode. The former method is the standard PS/AT- compatible mode where on- and off-board refreshes are independent. Both may be programmed for independent, slower than normal rates. This allows the use of low-power, slow refresh DRAMs. The VL82C320/VL82C320A controls all timing in both modes. In all cases, refreshes are staggered to minimize power supply loading and attendant noise on the VDD and ground pins. In sleep mode, refresh switches to CAS before RAS refresh for maximum power savings. the physical banks of DRAM can be logically reordered through one of the indexed configuration registers. this DRAM remap option is useful n order to map out bad DRAM banks allowing continued use of a system until repairs are convenient. It also allows DRAM bank combinations not in the supported memory maps to be logically moved into a supported configuration with-out physically moving memory components.

Brittle Plastic & Hinge Failure

  • This laptop has gotten brittle with age, and this combined with a poor hinge mounting design leads to failure. Epoxy will be required to fix any broken plastic caused by this.

Battery Leaks

  • Both the main battery and the CMOS battery in this laptop are NiCad, and are prone to leaking.

 

System Controller: VLSI VL82C320A

 

 

4 x NEC 424400-70L (512KB per chip) = total of 2MB