CTX EzBook 800 Series
The EzBook 800 is a Socket 7 (Pentium MMX/AMD K6-2) laptop that was released in 1998.
Like other CTX laptops, model numbers for these are somewhat confusing. Officially, Intel models are known as the 800 Series and AMD models are known as the F Series. However, none are labelled F Series, they're all labelled 800 Series. I own what would have been an "F Series" model, and even the manual and driver CD-ROM say they're for the EzBook 800. The only way to tell if you have an F Series aside from the CPU is to read the serial number sticker, which will start with the precise model/config number. EzBook 800 model numbers are 8PJ266 and 893T-FK, EzBook F Series model numbers are FC2A300A and FC3A300.
I believe they are identical inside as well, aside from the processor. You should be able to swap an Intel CPU out for an AMD and vice-versa, it's all standard socket 7 inside, and the CPU switch block configs are silkscreened onto the motherboard.
Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | CPU Type: Socket 7 - Intel Pentium MMX @266MHz - AMD K6-2 @300MHz |
| Chipset | Unknown |
| RAM | Type: EDO or SDRAM, 2x 144pin Slots Standard: Unknown 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: Unknown |
| Audio | Crystal CS4237B - Stereo Speakers - Microphone |
| Main Battery | NiMH |
| 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 MIDI/Game Port - 2x USB 1.x - 1x Composite Out - 1x Composite In - 1x External FDD Port - 1x Mic In - 1x Line 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/F Series 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. My own EzBook 800 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 plastics epoxy 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.
Gallery
These are all photos of my EzBook 800, and my 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.
All images on this page are my own and are released to the public domain.
Click on any image below to view the full-size version.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 11/02/2024
Update Reason: page converted to php
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