CTX EzBook 800 Series
The EzBook 800 is a Socket 7 (Pentium MMX/AMD K6-2) laptop that was released in 1998. While other CTX laptops were manufactured by their subsidiary Veridata, the EzBook 800 is a rebadged Featron FT6730.
CTX sold Intel models as the 800 Series and AMD models as the F Series - but only in marketing. All laptops are labelled as the 800 Series. Intel configurations shipped with 13.3" XGA screens while AMD units shipped with 12.1" SVGA screens (both TFT). According to the archived CTX website, the AMD models lacked the composite video in/out and dock connectors, however, I've seen an AMD unit with these present. My working unit does have them missing (unpopulated on the motherboard), but my dead one had them - both K6-2 300s.
Specific configuration models for these laptops include 8PJ266 and 893T-FK for Intel models, and FC2A300A, F2A300A, and FC3A300 for AMD models. The F2A300A is the unit that lacked the composite and docking features, while my other one with them was an FC2A300A. You can identify the model from the serial number sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
You should be able to swap an AMD CPU into an Intel unit and vice-versa.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Socket 7 - Intel Pentium MMX @266MHz - AMD K6-2 @300MHz |
| Chipset | ITE IT8330G KX |
| RAM | Type: EDO or SDRAM, 2x 144pin Slots Standard: 32MB Maximum: 128MB |
| Hard Disk | 2.5" IDE Uses proprietary adapter?: No Standard: 2.1, 3.2, or 4.0GB |
| Display Options | - 12.1" Active Matrix LCD @800x600 - 13.3" Active Matrix LCD @1024x768 |
| Graphics Chipset | NeoMagic MagicGraph 128XD (NM2160) VRAM: 2MB |
| Audio | Crystal CS4237B - Stereo Speakers - Microphone |
| Main Battery | NiMH or Lithium Ion (Duracell Standard, up to 2 batteries) |
| CMOS Battery | 3-cell Varta NiMH (Soldered Barrel) |
| Power Supply | Barrel Jack (19V) |
| Disk Drives | Dual Modular Bays - Left bay holds floppy drive or battery - Right bay holds CD-ROM drive or battery |
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA/CardBus Slots |
| Networking | Modem |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector (Optional) - 1x MIDI/Game Port - 2x USB 1.x - 1x Composite Out (Optional) - 1x Composite In (Optional) - 1x External FDD Connector - 1x Line In - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out - Infrared |
| BIOS | Phoenix |
| Pointing Device | Trackpad |
Resources
 Driver CD-ROM |
 Drivers (Alt) |
 User Manual |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
CMOS Battery Leaks
Every single CTX EzBook 800 laptop is doomed to die if steps are not taken to preserve them. These laptops use a VARTA NiMH barrel battery as the system's CMOS battery. This battery leaks about 100% of the time, and will cause large scale destruction to the PCB around it. It must be removed immediately. One of my EzBook 800s fell to this fate shortly after I got it.
Brittle Plastic & Busted Hinges
Like all other 1990s laptops, the plastic on the EzBook 800 has grown quite brittle over time. Due to the display hinges being mounted in plastic, the plastic standoffs that they mount too can break if not reinforced. This happened to the left side hinge on my unit. To prevent this from happening to yours, reinforce the area around the standoffs with JB Weld while you're taking it apart to pull the CMOS battery.
Dissasembly of these laptops requires taking the display assembly apart anyway in order to access the motherboard. It's a bit of a weird design.
Other Faults
Some of the floppy disk modules for these laptops used the NEC FD1238T, which has a belt-driven spindle motor. As such, you're probably going to need to replace the belt if you have one. That being said, others used Teac drives, which don't use a belt and are very reliable. The cable inside the module appears to be identical for both drives, so you should be able to replace the NEC drive with a Teac if you get unlucky.
Gallery
Here are some shots of my working EzBook 800. The desktop wallpaper and theme are custom, but the OEMINFO is real.
These are all photos of my dead EzBook 800, and this unit is rough. Of course, it's dead, but it's also missing screws, has a busted left hinge, and I removed the serial port as part of my failed board repair attempt.
Click on any image below to view the full-size version.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 12/31/2024
Update Reason: added new photos and some new information
Back-Navigation
Home < Laptop Portal < CTX < EzBook 800 Series