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From: [email protected] (Daniel `HB9VBC' Pfund)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.psion.announce,comp.sys.palmtops,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: PSION Series 3/3a palmtop FAQ part 2/6
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Summary: This article is a collection of information on the Psion
Series 3(a) palmtop computers. It should be read by anyone
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Archive-name: psion-faq/part2
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URL: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/8130/faq.htm

part 2

See part 1 for complete table of contents of this FAQ (including this
part's).

1.6 Where can I purchase a Psion?

Prices for 2Mb Psion are quoted for each when known, but you should
contact vendors for latest prices, as they change quite a bit, and I
don't track those changes here very often.

Numbers marked "[US/CA only]" means that the number can only be called
from the USA or Canada (sometimes both, sometimes only one). If no
other number is specified, the person or company presumably does not
want to deal with customers from elsewhere.

Usually, you will get the best deal from a UK vendor (but keep in mind
that you will also get a UK version!) If you travel to London, you can
get a good deal at the "Duty Free" shops in the airports or by
haggling in the Tottenham Court Road shops.

Important note: these addresses have NOT been verified, so check
before you intend to buy from one of them! Also, I am NOT listing any
more vendors without web sites. For a (maybe) more up to date listing,
you may want to check out the PDA Page homepage at:
http://www.pdapage.com which lists the best sites which sell PDAs.

Byson Computers [UK]
Fax: +44 1635 874 022
Email: [email protected]
http://www.hiway.co.uk/~byson/

Clove Technology [UK]
+44 1202 302 796
Email: [email protected]
http://intertrader.com/computers/clove/

Internet Shopping Network (usually have very cheap prices but actually
restricted to the USA)
http://www.internet.net

New World Technologies
110 Greene St, Suite 1100
New York, NY 10012 USA
Phone: 1 800 886 4967 [US/CA only] Will price match
Phone: +1 212 941 4633
Fax: +1 212 274 8527
Email: [email protected], (GidNEW on AOL)
http://www.nwt.com

NDS Distributing
11875 Dublin Boulevard, Suite D-270
Dublin, CA 94568 USA
Phone: 1 800 425 7725 [US/CA only]
Phone: +1 510 803 8790
Fax: +1 510 803 8792
http://www.ndsdistributing.com

Planet Pfund
Daniel Pfund
19, ch. Tirelonge
CH-1213 Onex
Phone / Fax: +41 (0)22 792 10 82
Mobile: +41 079 350 60 64
Email: [email protected]
http://www.planet-pfund.com

PSIOlogic GbR
Matthias & Michael Baas
Taunusstrasse 4
D 63589 Linsengericht
Phone: +49 (0)6051 470065
Fax: +49 (0)6051 470066
Email: [email protected]
http://www.psiologic.com

Official Psion distributors/importers:

For an upto date list, you may like to take a look at Psion's web
site.

Argentina
PSIAR
Avendia de Mayo 963,
3rd Floor
Buenos Aires
Phone: +54 1345 4052
Fax: +54 1345 3705

Australia
Psitech Ltd
Kangy Angy
Phone: +61 4362 2014
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Belgium and Luxembourg
Micro-Connection
Korte Winkelstraat 15,
2000 Antwerpen
Phone: +32 3 232 34 68
Fax: +32 3 226 17 49
BBS: +32 3 226 20 79
Email: [email protected]

Canada
Compulys Data Inc.
Place Montreal Trust
1800, Avenue McGill College, Bureau 2102
Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3J6
Phone: 1 800 361 0609 [US/CA only]
Phone: +1 514 98 PSION [International]
Fax: +1 514 987 9611

Denmark
Mobi Data Ltd
Phone: +45 38 33 55 01

Finland
Hand Held Systems
Torikatu 6-A, 451000
Kouvola
Phone: +35 8513 710 017
Email: Pekka Aikas - [email protected]

Italy
Videocomputer Spa
Via Antonelli 36
Collegno (TO) 10093
http://www.videocomputer.it

Kuwait
Nascorp Kuwait
c/o Anwar Essa Al-Saleh Est.
P.O. Box 4704
Safat, Kuwait 13048
Phone: +965 573 7684/5
Fax: +965 571 6674
Email: Essa Al-Saleh - [email protected]

Netherlands
Psion Nederland B.V.
Avio Trade Park
Zandsteen 52
2132 MR Hoofddorp
Phone: +31 20 446 9444
Fax: +31 20 653 3427
BBS: +31 20 653 1075
Email: [email protected]

New Zealand
Pocket Solutions Ltd
PO Box 44 070
Lower Hutt
Phone: +64 4 566 7808
Fax: +64 4 569 6452
Email: [email protected]

Poland
Centum Informatyki Energetyki
Phone: +48 22 625 22 83
Fax: +48 22 693 32 6

Portugal
Comp 3 Lda
Rua Augusto Gil 30 A/B
1100 Lisbon
Phone: +35 11 7972 259
Fax: +35 11 7951 928

Saudia Arabia
Nascorp
P.O. Box 2951
Jeddah 21461
Phone: +966 2 667 6204 (Jeddah)
Phone: +966 1 231 1785 (Riyadh)
Email: Essa Al-Saleh - [email protected]

South Africa
Psionet Distributor CC
Phone: +27 21 683 1192

Spain
Paresa SA
c/ Balmes 113, ppal 1a
08008 Barcelona
Phone: +34 3451 6505
Fax: +34 3451 6231

Switzerland
Excom AG (Psion importer)
Moosacherstrasse 6, Au
8820 Wadenswil
Phone: +41 1 782 21 11
Fax: +41 1 781 13 61
http://www.excom.ch

1.7 How can I contact Psion?

1.7.1 World Headquarters

UK Offices:
1 Red Place
London W1Y 3RE
Phone: +44 990 134 224 Main desk
+44 990 143 050 Sales & customer services
Fax: +44 990 561 046
Email: [email protected]
http://www.psion.com

UK Service centre:
17-19 Bristol Road
Greenford
Middlesex UB6 8UP
+44 181 575 9919

1.7.2 USA (Psion Incorporated)

Corporate Headquarters
150 Baker Avenue
Concord, MA 01742
USA
Phone: +1 800 54 PSION
Phone: +1 508 371 0310
Fax: +1 508 371 9611
Email: [email protected]
http://www.psioninc.com

Midwest Office
225 West Washington St., Suite 2242
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 1 312 419 5300
Fax: 1 312 419 7142

West Coast Office
800 Airport Blvd. #417
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: 1 415 373 1234

1.7.3 Germany

Psion GmbH
Daimlerstr. 16
61352 Bad Homburg
Germany
Phone: +49 6172 6630
Fax: +49 6172 663100
Fax-on-Demand: +49 6172 663179 (FaxAbruf)
Mailbox (BBS): +49 6172 663170
(Dacom GmbH is on +49 6172 9654-45, Hotline on -42)
Email: [email protected] (technical support)
Email: [email protected] (Sales)
http://www.psion-gmbh.com

2. HARDWARE

2.1 Hardware specifications

All Psion machines are based around the "SIBO architecture", which was
developed to meet common goals which span the SIBO range, including
Series 3.

Of paramount importance is low power usage. To this end CMOS circuits
are used, the CPUs are static - meaning their clocks can be slowed
down or stopped and restarted without impairing function, and the
specially designed ASIC chips implement sophisticated power
management, which always ensures that only those parts of the machine
which are needed, are powered up. Power is provided by 2 AA batteries
during normal operation. A Lithium backup battery, a CR1620, is
provided which maintains memory during battery changes. A mains
adaptor inlet is provided.

A system clock runs independently of the CPU even when the machine is
"off". This allows it to keep time and to wake the machine up when
(for example) alarms expire.

A six-pin outlet is provided, through which serial and parallel ports
may be connected. This outlet has exactly the same signals as the two
expansion ports (SSDs).

A sound system implements beeps on the Series 3 through a low power
piezo-electric element at two volumes. On the 3a there is a more
sophisticated system employing bi-directional digital-to-analogue
conversion, a conventional speaker, and a microphone, which together
support the recording and playback of digitally-recorded sound.
Digital sound data is compressed and expanded between 8 and 13 bits by
hardware in an ASIC using the Alaw algorithm during recording and
playback respectively, at a sample rate of 8KHz. This performance
conforms to the ISDN standard for digital phone systems. A Series 3
buzzer emulation is also available on the 3a.

For both machines, there are two expansion ports, also called SSD
drives, into which RAM or EPROM memory modules may be placed.

The memory is split into two types: process and storage. Storage
memory is only used for storing data. Process memory is the memory
used by the processor. Programs run in this type of memory. Process
memory is limited on all Psions to 512k maximum. There is no storage
memory on Psions with 512k RAM or less. To be honest, this is a not a
big problem, since the Psion implements a real good memory management
and "windows" the memory needed for each application. In practice,
this means that you can open several huge databases for example and
only need 10k of memory for each one.

In tabular form, the differences are summarised below:
Item Series 3 Series 3a
HARDWARE

PROCESSOR
name V30H (80C86 compatible) V30H(80C86 compatible)
Bitwidth 16 16
Speed 3.84 MHz 7.68 MHz
video mem access 8 bit - half speed 16 bit - full speed

DISPLAY
Type Monochrome LCD Monochrome LCD
Physical size 97 x 39 mm approx 126 x 45 mm approx
Display size 240x80 480x160
Display depth 2 - black/white 3 - black/grey/white

MEMORY
Internal 128 or 256Kbyte 256Kb,512Kb,1Mb,2Mb
Expansion 2 slots = 16Meg max 2 slots = 16 Meg max

DIMENSIONS
Size 16.5 x 8.5 x 2.2 cm (6.5" x 3.3" x 0.9")
Weight 275 grams including batteries

SOUND
Output device Piezo beeper Loudspeaker
Capability variable pitched Beeps Any sound
and DTMF [*]
Digital system NONE DAC/ADC 8/13 bits
Sound recording NONE 8K samples per second
Telephone dialler DTMF capability DTMF capability

*Further sounds can be generated if a custom device driver is written

PARALLEL PORT Via optional link Via optional link

SERIAL PORT Via optional link Via optional link
Software Installed in link pod In Psion 3a ROM
Max speed 9600 baud 19200 baud

SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SHELL Controls applications Upgraded on Series 3a

DATA Database application Upgraded on Series 3a

WORD Comprehensive document Upgraded on Series 3a
processing system

AGENDA Personal management Major upgrades on 3a
application

TIME Clock and alarms manager Upgraded on Series 3a

WORLD World info database Cosmetic upgrade on 3a

CALC Calculator Calculator
Allowing OPL extension Cosmetic upgrade on 3a

SHEET [*] Spreadsheet application Speadsheet application
available as add-on [*] built-in

*In the US, and latterly in the UK, the "Series 3s" includes the
spreadsheet as standard (not for 128k models)

SPELL CHECKER/THESAURUS add-on Only on 1/2Mb models *

PATIENCE GAME add-on Only on 1/2Mb models *

*Spell checker/thesaurus and patience game are apparently only
available on UK/US country specific 1/2Mb models (ie: not available
for french nor german models!)

OPL Programming application Series 3 compatibility
mode also available.

2.2 What batteries does the Psion use?

Normal power is provided by two AA (also known as LR6) batteries.
Standby power is provided by a small Lithium backup battery, a CR1620,
which maintains system data during main battery changes or failure.

2.3 How long do the batteries last?

It all actually depends on what type of batteries you use. Here are
the advantages and disadvantages of the different battery types:
* Alkalines. These are the "normal" batteries and work well.
* Carbon/Zinc. These batteries are cheaper than alkalines but of
course don't last as long. Might be interesting if you can get
them really cheap and are ready to change batteries often.
* NiCad rechargeables. These proivde less energy than conventional
batteries (reports suggest maybe half) and they fade rapidly once
their charge is nearly gone, but - they are rechargeable, and so
offer a cost effective alternative. Note that NiCads are NOT
recharging while the machine is powered by the adaptor.
* Lithium AA batteries. They are 30% lighter than alkalines, and
they last longer, but they are more expensive. Recommended if you
really need long battery life and in extreme conditions. These
batteries have a very long shelve life.

The link causes high battery loadings, as does the sound system.
Accessing the SSDs also increases power drain. Because of the static
architecture, a busy CPU drains more power than a sleeping one, so
compute-intensive tasks will burn power. For these reasons, it is
difficult to quote battery performance exactly, but the table below
summarises reports received on the net (for a 512k version).

Alkaline NiCad Lithium

Running time (Hrs) 40-80 20 65-100
Power delivered (mAh) 1500 800 1600-2700
Price each (UKP) 0.5 4.5
Comment 30% lighter

1/2Mb models use more battery power since they use memory bank
switching which is processor intensive.

The backup battery typically lasts 15 months.

2.4 How does the Psion measure the battery usage? (by Alan Roberts)

Actually, the battery consumption is only estimated, there is no real
voltage meter inside the Psion. The Psion knows the average battery
consumption in each state (ie: xx mA when playing a WVE file; yy mA
when writing on flash ... ) and keeps a record of the time spent in
each state. When the voltage drops below a threshold, the "replace
batteries" and "emptying batteries" display appear.

2.5 How can I make my batteries last longer?

The most important thing is to always turn the serial link OFF when
you don't use it. This is the number one power eater on your Psion.

Here are some other more or less obvious tips:
1. Be sure to set the "auto power off" feature ON
2. Turn the auto update list to OFF, set it to use the System button
3. When you want tu update just one list, use delete and ESC. This is
much quicker than pressing the System button (and should save
battery power).
4. Avoid switching on with the System button, as this would update
all the lists.
5. Let the applications open multiple files. Preferably set the
preference to "Enter" instead of "Shift-Enter" as you often forget
to press shift-enter. Saving and opening files uses more battery
power than to leave the files open.
6. Avoid playing long or loud sounds
7. Set volume low
8. Avoid saving many files to Flash SSD
9. Avoid reformatting, particularly Flash SSD

Thanks must go to Philippe Lebreton and Blake Nancarrow for these
great tips.

2.6 Can I use an external power supply?

Yes, the Psion comes with a standard power outlet so you can use
either the official Psion power supply or a general-purpose mains
adaptor (which is cheaper). Negative polarity should be selected - ie
the tip should be negative. The power supply should be able to deliver
150mA at 9V. The Psion adaptor has an indentation around the outer
conductor near the tip which facilitates snug fit for improved
reliability.

You can plug the external power supply in/out while the Psion is on.
It will then immediately use the external power or batteries. The
Psion also has an automatic turn off possibility. This is very useful
if you often forget to turn it off! One of the choices for this auto
turn off feature is "If no external power", so you can safely use it
on external power and it will not turn itself off anymore until you
unplug it again.

2.7 Can I upgrade my Solid State Disk (SSD)?

Flash SSDs are cheaper than RAM SSDs because the filesystem doesn't
actually allow you to recover deleted space on them. Even if they're
cheap compared to real RAMs, they're still quite expensive because
they're not manufactered on a big scale (they're Psion proprietary).
This tempted several people to accomplish upgrades. It has been
successfully done, but I decided not to describe it here for several
reasons:
1. It wouldn't be fair to Psion PLC. Think about it: it would prive
them of rightly owned money for their R&D and that wouldn't make
us many friends, would it?
2. The chips you need aren't easy to find.
3. It is quite easy to do for a trained electronics technician, so
that person wouldn't need any instructions anyway. If you don't
have the expertise, don't even think about it!

In the mean time, there has been a company that has specialised in
making SSD upgrades: Exportech in London. You can contact them by
email at: [email protected]

2.8 Can I upgrade my internal RAM?

The big question when the 1/2Mb models came out: can I upgrade my 512k
to a 2Mb model? Well, sorry, but the (short) answer is no. The new
models use a new ROM to access the extra memory. Psion PLC does not
offer upgrades for new models either. The best solution is to sell
your old model and get a more recent one.

In mid 1996, several companies have offered their services to upgrade
512k models to 2Mb models. They will change the motherboard
completely, so I suppose you'll have an exact 2Mb version with spell
checker/patience?...

Try to contact the following company:
* Broadway Management Services Ltd
Room 1604, CLI Building
313 Hennessy Road
Wanchai , Hong Kong
Price: about 303 USD!

If you own a 128/256k or 1Mb model, upgrading it is just a matter of
adding more RAM to it. Psion PLC or other official repair centres can
do this for you, contact them about it. For info, Pinnock Organisers
will upgrade your 256k Psion to a 512k model for 65 UKP.

For the help of us all, Fionn Behrens has made a nice web page with
details on how to upgrade your internal RAM with pictures and step by
step instructions. You can find his pages at:
http://www.informatik.uni-siegen.de/~fionn/e/Psion/

For the time being, process memory is limited to 512k on every model
and you cannot add more whatever you do.

2.9 Can I change the keyboard?

A lot of people buy their Psions in the UK because of the huge price
difference compared to their own country. This is not a problem in
itself if you just remember that you will be getting the UK version,
thus the UK keyboard, applications and manual. This also the reason
why so many people would like to change the keys of their keyboards.
For these people, there is no simple solution. The keyboard map is not
just a file held in RAM, so basically, you're stuck with your
keyboard, but there are workarounds to this:
1. In many applications, you can enter special characters (for
example foreign characters not found on the keyboard) by holding
down control, then typing the three digits of the ASCII code for
the character (ASCII code table on page 246 of the User Guide).
This works for all characters in the range 32 to 255. Some lower
codes are used for control purposes.
2. There is also a quicker way to enter letters with accents, umlauts
etc. CONTROL can be used with the number keys as a character
modifier directive. For example, "2" is the "Add an Umlaut"
command, so you can hold down CONTROL then press "2" and "o" to
get a umlauted "o". Most numbers are chosen as convenient
mnemonics: 2 has " above it - which looks like an Umlaut; 3 has \
which simulates a grave accent but 4 has ~, which produces
(oddly!) and acute accent, whereas 5 which has a ' produces a
tilde! See the Character set section of the user guide for
details.
3. Use Tom Dolbilin's excellent Macro System package to assign a
"macro" to a regular key, thus emulating another key.
4. Use Konstantin I. Saliy's keyboard map program to remap the keys
in a very efficient manner which works with all programs and only
uses 10k of memory!

2.10 Can I use a big (normal) keyboard?

Yes, if you have Tom Dolbilin's Macro System installed, there is a
macro called "BigKeys" which actually reads the serial port and sends
the key to the HWIM application you're currently running.
Unfortunately, it will not work with normal OPL applications. On the
other hand, you will still need another computer to send the keys over
the serial line, so it really isn't what people are looking for!

Keith Baker [email protected] has made a little interface for just a
normal keyboard (without the need for another computer) connected to
the Psion using the 3-Link interface . Note that it will not work with
OPL applications either.

2.11 How can I build a serial link? (by Konstantin I. Saliy)

For the common mortal: you can't (we're talking about 3a 3-Links
here). If you have the C/OPL SDK, there is a diagram of a TTL RS232
interface... BUT the diagram is based around a Psion custom chip
called "ASIC5". This chip converts the SIBO serial channel into
standard RS232 signals and back. According to the documentation this
chip is available from Psion for custom expansion development.
Documentation also provides information about modification of example
device for CMOS levels.

But this device is a serial link only, not a real 3-Link. The 3-Link
contains a ROM "SSD" with software. You can use the serial link
instead of 3Link but some applications (I'm not sure, it's only my
opinion) can check if disk C is present or even for disk C's serial
number. Of course if an application uses only device drivers interface
(VT100 emulators) it will work anyway.

The SIBO Serial Protocol is also described in the SDK. Refer to it if
you want know more about Psion expansion port.

For the 3c, this is entirely different! The 3c serial cable is just
that: a simple cable. Justin Buckland has been kind enough to send me
the pinouts for such a cable. He will also sell such cables himself;
you may like to contact him by email at [email protected] or by
telephone (+44 1223 570477) or simply check out his web site at:
http://www-sp.phy.cam.ac.uk/~jrb25/psicable.html

Justin found the parts from CPC (tel. +44 1772 654455). Connections
for Psion 3c / Siena serial cable are:

Psion:
___________
1 /___________\ 15

9-pin D socket:
---------------
\ 5 4 3 2 1 /
\ 9 8 7 6 /
---------

9-pin: Psion: RS232:
1 nc DCD data carrier detect
2 12 RD received data
3 8 TD transmitted data
4 11 DTR data terminal ready
5 1 SG signal ground
6 13 DSR data set ready
7 9 RTS request to send (= DTE ready)
8 14 CTS clear to send (= DCE ready)
9 10 RI ring indicator

2.12 How can I build a parallel link? (by Konstantin I. Saliy)

If you have read the previous section, you can realize that a one-way
parallel link is much easier to make for people who are familiar with
digital logic. Two way parallel link is possible also: typical
parallel link baud rate is 40K bytes/sec, and SIBO interface allows
you 1.5M bit/sec, but you'll need a hardware buffer and PDD/LDD pair
to receive data.

2.13 What is this "soap on a rope" thing?

The "soap on a rope" is simply another name for the 3-Link. It is
named like that because of it's ressemblence with (guess what ;-) the
well known soap on a rope.

2.14 How do I print with my Psion?

There are a number of ways you can print from your Psion
1. Through the parallel link, connect your Psion directly to your
printer but do not turn the link on in the system screen!
2. Through PsiWin. See your PsiWin manual for instructions.
3. Through the serial link - use the printer setup dialogues
appropriately and do not turn the link on in the system screen!
4. Use PRINT SETUP to select printing to a file called REM::C:\LPT1
Run MCLINK on your PC, and activate the link from the Psion. Now
all print requests will go through the link to the PC printer, and
MCLINK is available for file transfers - better than MCPRINT. This
solution also works with RCOM. On some PCs running Windows, it may
be better to print to LPT1.PRN, which traverses through the
DOS/Windows device drivers slightly differently. (by Daniel Senie)
5. Use RFM (see elsewhere in the FAQ) to make Psion drives visible,
then use a conventional PC tool to print files from the Psion.

2.15 Can I take my Psion through an X-Ray machine?

Yes you can without fear. Nowadays the airport's X-Ray machines are
harmless to palmtop computers and diskettes (hopefully ;-). In any
case, if you're really not assured, ask to pass it seperately.

2.16 Can my Psion wipe out magnetic data?

Yes it can! Be careful with the underside of your Psion because it is
actually the speaker which contains a magnet whom is responsible for
such problems. Credit cards and other magnetic data seem to be the
easiest "victims" of the magnet. Check out the first page of your User
Guide for Psion's own warning about this. You can try the paperclip
test which consists of taking a pile of paperclips and placing the
Psion on top of it. Lifting the Psion will typically take 5 paperclips
with it!

3. SOFTWARE

3.1 How do I reset my Psion?

You should not normally need to reset your machine at all. See "What
is killing a process?" to find out how to terminate misbehaving
applications. Doing a RESET re-initializes the system's processes. It
re-starts things as though it had just been powered up, and so will
make many error conditions go away. Doing a reset will also remove any
software patches you may have applied. These would need to be
re-applied after each reset. A soft reset will also make you lose your
user-defined groups and installed software icons (but the real
software, ie: the program, should still be there).

There are two kinds of resets:
* A SOFT or WARM reset will restart processes and lose your time
zone information, but leave the contents of the RAM disk, and
environment variables intact. Do this by gently pushing something
like a straightened paperclip into the small hole above the ESC/On
key to do a "warm reset".
* A HARD or COLD reset will completely re-initialize the whole
machine, removing all memory contents. Complete instructions for
performing this action are included in the "Troubleshooting"
chapter of your "User Guide".

3.2 What is killing a process?

Killing a process is like closing an application but without letting
it know. This will result in loss of data if the application didn't
save it before being killed, so be warned! Usually, you can exit an
application (from within it) with Psion -x (for english Psions) or
Psion-Esc. If the application doesn't respond to keypresses anymore
and nothing else works, you will have to kill it. For this, you can go
to the system screen and press Psion-shift-k (for english Psions). You
can also use other specific programs which allow killing of any
process (Spy is one of them).

3.3 How can I save what's on the screen?

From any point, you can take a screen snapshot, by holding down shift,
control, Psion, and S. The PIC file generated is placed in
M:SCREEN.PIC.

3.4 What is the soak test? (by Jason Savage)

WARNING: INITIATING THE SOAK TEST WILL CAUSE THE LOSS OF USER DEFINED
GROUPS AND USER INSTALLED SOFTWARE!!!

It has long been known in the computer and electronics industries that
electrical components, for the most part, fail either shortly after
they are first activated or after many years of service. Because of
this fact the concept of the soak test or burn-in or life test was
invented. Simply put, the machine (in this case a computer) is put
through a repetitive testing loop for several hours (24 for the Psions
to be more precise). This procedure would then filter out most of the
bad batches and prevent them from reaching the hands of the general
consumers.

To activate the soak test on the Psion series 3, press (See warning at
the beginning of this section) Control-Shift-Psion-K on the System
screen. This procedure will cause a soft-reset of your Psion.

3.5 How can I find a text in my memos with Agenda?

Actually, you can't! Psion hasn't implemented this feature yet. What
you can do, is use another program called "MemoFind" which will do
just that. It's a freeware program from Psion available at usual FTP
sites.

3.6 How can I make the cursor bigger?

It may get difficult trying to find the cursor in Word for example.
Unfortunately, there is no way to make it bigger. Some suggested
solutions are to press shift-right (to highlight a character) or home
(to find the cursor on the far left).

3.7 How can I take out the "hum" when I record sounds?

The hum (apparently a 60Hz sound) appears only when you record using
battery power. It is probably due to the voltage converter inside your
Psion (from 3V to higher). If you use the AC adapter, the hum
disappears.

3.8 How safe is password protection?

See also "Data security with link connected" in next section.

The Word password protection is not really good. It is known that it's
possible to "crack" the password (but not find it) and see the clear
text in a very short time (reported by Clive D.W.Feather in Dec94 and
now included in his Psionics files). Obviously, you do need some
programming skills to do it, but all in all, it is feasible, so be
warned!

Also, never use a single letter password! This could be way too easily
broken by brute force. It is recommended to have at least 6 characters
and even better, a mix of letters and numbers.

Another issue is power on password protection. Apparently, it is
possible to bypass it somehow; no infos are given!. Just don't rely on
it too much. Also, remember that if you keep some data on your SSD
Disks, the potential thieve can still read those informations by
simply transfering the disks into another Psion!

The bottom line is that the password functions of the Psion are useful
for keeping casual snoops from reading your data while you're off
making a phone call, but if you're seriously worried about security
then you shouldn't be keeping sensitive material on a handheld machine
in the first place.

3.9 How can I change the icon of a program? (by Matthew Powell)

1. Install the application on the System screen in the usual way.
2. Use the "create new list" command (Psion-E). Enter the same
working directory and file extension as for the original
application.
3. The "create new list" dialog will allow you to specify a custom
icon in exactly the same way as when creating a group.
4. Enter a name for the new list.

Once you've done this the application should have two lists on the
System screen. Remove the one with the original icon.

If you create a new list for Word, read this: The Word application
maintains a different template (which holds the styles and default
preferences) for each list. To carry on with the same template as you
had before, you will need to make a copy of the file Default.wrt in
the \WDR directory. The copy should have the same name as your list,
with a .wrt extension. For example, if your new list was called
"Notes", copy \WDR\Default.wrt to \WDR\Notes.wrt.

Alternatively, use a program called NEWICON2.OPA which does just that!

End of part 2/6
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