Frontier SP2000 toshiba PC dead

[Callavera]

Hello!

 

I've got a Frontier SP2000 PC which I aquired 6 years ago. It WAS working, I could test the scanner's functions in the menu.

As soon as I got the scanner I backed up from the menu onto a floppy disk

Also got Acronis backups of both HDD's and also a copy paste just in case.

 

Since then I got the A1 software from Minilab Service (slava Ukraine) 

I installed it on my own created server PC with a patch cable and they could ping each other but the software started to become buggy.

Drivers started failing and slowly but surely the PC died.

Now doesnt even boot anymore, only CPU fan spinning so I recapped the board but no change.

 

I replaced it with a https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/compaq-garcia board, has mostly the same specifications but is missing the small PCIex1 slot but hopefully I can work around that. It's needed for the LVR01 board. 

I got a burned CD with the scanner from the previous owner with random packs of software on it, including FDIA Client Update Tool (DOS setup)

I have installed a clean copy of Windows NT 4.0 on a new HDD (small partition) and upgraded it to servicepack 3 (same as working Toshiba PC before) 

However I am missing the main Frontier Digital Minilab software where it says Scanner Ver. 7.7-0E-300 I think.

The FDIA Client Update Tool may be the one I need (doubt it) but when I launch it it says it doesnt want to install on pc if its not FRONTIER PC. I renamed it to the proper things but I assume it looks for a bit of hardware or software that isnt yet on my PC.

 

I think I do not have the recovery CD for my specific Toshiba PC (maybe its on that CD but I am not sure what to look for, also I tried installing most of the things on there but most fail) so can I retrieve that from the backup I made 6 years ago? 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[yustas]

If you need a recovery CD image, you can find it here:
https://minilablaser.com/recovery350/

[Minilab service]

Hello. 

I'm not from Ukraine. Never was in this country. I just do not like dictators and ocupants.

What is your SP2000 computer? Can be :
L Type , Toshiba EQUIUM6450D2F , part number 850C899005B , with Pentium II 450MHz .
XL Type , Toshiba EQUIUM5500FF , part number 850C899007B , with Pentium III 600MHz
Type can see on label, which is on computer front. Toshiba model can see on the rear.

Recovery CD is to install NT4 on original computer. After that can install later service pack. Service pack 3 is not the latest. The latest is service pack 6a .

Not so easy to install NT4. Three HD partitions should be formated FAT and one should be formated NTFS.  Partitions should have correct letters ( C, D, E, F ) . Better to use recovery, or HD image.

When have stand alone scanner you can't use A1 versions 7.7. They do not have stand alone scanner mode. This version can use with printer, or FMPC. Stand alone scanner mode is supported on A1 version 7.6 and older. To export files on scanner computer need install C4/C5.

If you have HD images then you can find older computer, where can run NT4 . There connect disks where restored original HD image files. Then you have NT4, A1 and C4/C5.

[Callavera]

I have a model XL 10 Toshiba pentium III 600 but upgraded it to Pentium III 733mhz as I couldnt find the exact one.

It doesnt say anything on the back but on the bottom it says PA-EQ60PDCF2 as model. 

6 years ago I bought A1 and C4C5 software and I did install it but as I said the pc started corrupting so it never worked. The recovery CD for the NT4 system would be the thing I need but its getting a bit expensive to keep buying software and then hardware failing on me.

I'm trying my best to get it working again but if someone wants to buy the unit from me here in the Netherlands I am all ears.

[Minilab service]

On 5/8/2026 at 8:06 PM, Callavera said:

Also got Acronis backups of both HDD's and also a copy paste just in case.

 

If you have HD image files ( created with Acronis ) Then restore on your disks. Then connect these HD to your computer. Then on HD should be everything ( working Windows NNT 4 and Fuji software ) .

Recovery CD is to install Windows NT 4 on original computer. Not sure, if Windows work correctly when computer is different. On computer should be working Windws NT 4 and installed SCSI board driver. Only then can install A1. A1 i scanner system software. On stand alone scanner should be version 7.6 , or older. C4/C5 is software to export scanned files. Scanner works without it.

If I understand correctly you tried to use some not standard Toshiba computer. Not all models work on Fuji scanners, but if computer specification is similar it should work. First you have run Windows, find all drivers and install SCSI board. If you manage to do it you can go to Fujifilm software instillation.

Computer has timer card. When you have stand alone scanner then computer can be without it.

XL and G computers usually is EQUIUM 5500FF . Sometimes on SP2000 used not standard  EQUIUM 5600FF ( PE56020CFF11 ) . Didn't see model, which you have now.

[Callavera]

Its a 5500FF. 

I'll try again to get the clone working, it did not before but that might be because I made too big of a partition.

[Minilab service]

If you have Acronis HD image file then it is enough to restore it and all partitions should be restored. 

On disk first partition should be in FAT ( it is not FAT32 ) and second should be in NTFS.

Partition C : 2047 MB , FAT, allocation unit size - default allocation size
Partition D :  NTFS , allocation unit size - 4096 bytes
Partition E : 2047 MB , FAT, allocation unit size - default allocation size
Partition F :  NTFS , allocation unit size - 4096 bytes

Need select to make full HD  format ( can't select quick format ) . CD/DVD drive - letter N .

To make computer recovery ( install NT4 ) need Frontier 350/370/390 Main Control Unit Recovery CD , EQUIUM5500FF (XL, G.) , English , Version Rev.3 .
All information about PC can find on DIGITAL MINILAB FRONTIER 350/370/390 Main Control Unit SERVICE MANUAL / PARTS LIST .

[Callavera]

That is very helpful thank you.